Daily National Intelligencer

VIEWS OF LIFE IN PARIS.

FROM THE PARIS SPECTATOR.

An Evening Party in High Life.

"At eleven o'clock in the evening I left my toilette, habited in a trimmed velvet suit, which had been made for me in the year 1783: I armed myself with a brilliant handled steel sword, whose rusty blade has become inseparable from its scabbard, and covering my bald front with a hat and feather, drove in this ridiculous dress to l'Hotel de—. I remarked with more compassion than pride several fine gentlemen in embroidered clothes, who descended from ignoble hacks at the corner of the street, and crossed the court on tiptoe, seeking to avoid being seen by those whose carriages entered at the same time. I alighted at the foot of the grand staircase, and arrived between two rows of powdered lacqueys of every denomination, at the entrance of the apartments, where a valet opened and closed the folding doors, while a hussar, with the voice of a Stentor, announced the visitors, mangling the foreign names in the most barbarous manner, and pitching the elevation of his voice according to the importance of the title which presented itself. For my own part I glided in almost incognito between a Highness and an Excellency, and with some difficulty penetrated as far as the magnificent saloon, which contained the Princess surrounded by ladies sparkling with diamonds, who occupied, according to their rank and distinction, places more or less near to her. The Princess seemed to be weary, and the ladies did not appear much amused. They eyed one another, whispered to those next to them, and some criticism or little piece of scandal alone now and then enlivened the listlessness with which they were overwhelmed.

The Prince was walking up and down a superb gallery, attended by a few great personages; among whom were generals distinguished for their famous exploits, men celebrated for their genius, and magistrates honoured for their integrity.—I knew not in what class to place a little man with a sword by his side, but without a hat or any ornament, who ranged all the apartments with a look of great business, now giving orders to the footmen, now whispering in the Prince's ear, and now presenting the ladies to the princess. I learnt that he was a sort of factotum, one of those respectable table companions who have just wit enough to regulate the etiquette of a great house, and whom the public (generally without reason) think in high favour with its owner.

It was one o'clock when I retired, not quite certain whether I had been perceived, but well satisfied with having fulfilled a duty, and convinced that the great bestow no attention at their own homes, but upon those who are absent."