Alexandria Gazette

MISCELLANEOUS.

A FETE OF THE OLDEN TIMES.

Under Louis XIV. the wealth and magnificence of the farmers-general went almost beyond belief. One of them, happily named Bullion, used to have deep bowls of bright pistoles brought in every night, for the card-players. Fouquuet invited Louis to a hunt by torch light, and had every tree in the forest lighted up with coloured lamps. Under Louis XV. Beaujon was famous for his beds of rose-leaves; but all were outshone by Bouret.- His income in 1760, was twelve hundred livres a sum which, when we take into account the worth of money at that time, goes far beyond the fortunes of the Rothschilds. Louis had heard so much of the splendour of his entertainments. that he hinted his desire to be present at one. The wish of the monarch was of course law, and Bouret asked a delay of fifteen days. When the appointed time had come the king arrived at Bouret's country-seat at night-fall. The spectacle before him struck him with astonishment a marshy lake. shaded by dark cypresses, and an old sailor, with the face and garb of Charon, whose skiff seemed to be waiting for the monarch and his train.. When all were on board, the skiff put off. and the company soon reached the landing-place-a naked beach.surrounded by frowning rocks. Groans and shrieks. the crack of whips, and the rattling of chains were heard on every side, and the courtiers began to feel something like fear. Louis alone preserved his courage, and as he moved forward with a firm and stately mien. the dragons, chimeras, serpents. and monsters of every kind. which threatened to bar the passage, disappear as if by enchantment; it grows lighter, and rocks and woods give place by degrees to a rich and pleasing prospect. From the profusion of tropical fruits. flowers.and sweet odours that intoxicate him, the king almost fancies himself in the garden of Armida; and he can doubt no longer when he sees advancing towards him Armida herself, attended by her nymphs. To please his majesty, she has put on the features of Madame de Pompadour. and this was by no means the least welcome of the many pleasant surprises of the evening. Soon commences the very fete given by Armida to Rinaldo: it is Tasso's poem in action. For two hours the king moved about in the midst of the brilliant entertainment; when Armida rose,and touched with her wand the front of her palace. which opened, and displayed the pavilion destined for the feast, in middle of a lake blazing with light. Bouret appeared to do the honours. and this pageant proved by no means unsubstantial; the choicest fruits of Asia and Africa. luxuries brought from both poles, tempted the appetite: and youthful Hebes flit across the lake in shells of pearl, to-pour out hippocras and nectar. Who could count the hours passed in such delights! Daylight shone upon the guests, and gave the signal for departure. Madame de Pompadour laid aside Armida's wand with regret, for she felt that she had acted the enchantress to perfection. "My dear Bouret," said she, as she took her leave, "I always had a great deal of curiosity: pray tell me,in confidence, how much this magnificent entertainment cost you?' Three millions. madam." replied the delighted financier. "a small price to pay for the honor of entertaining you."

It is well enough to add that this was under a hard-money government, and the office held by Bouret answered very nearly to that of Receiver General created by our Sub-Treasury law. While he was rioting in such enormous wealth, starvation and famine were prevailing among hundreds of thousands of the common people and working classes. The atrocities and horrors of the French Revolution were the result of the system.