e
prestigieux and a comfortable mirobolant. Fancy, for a banquet-hall,
a royal orangery hung with white damask; the boxes of the shrubs
transformed into so many sideboards; lights gleaming through the
foliage; and, for guests, the loveliest women and most brilliant
cavaliers of Paris. Orleans and Nemours were there, dancing and eating
like simple mortals. In a word, Albion did the thing very handsomely,
and I accord it my esteem.

"Here I pause, to call for my valet-de-chambre, and call for tea; for
my head is heavy, and I've no time for a headache. In serving me, this
rascal of a Frederic has broken a cup, true Japan, upon my honor--the
rogue does nothing else. Yesterday, for instance, did he not thump me
prodigiously, by letting fall a goblet, after Cellini, of which the
carving alone cost me three hundred francs? I must positively put
the wretch out of doors, to ensure the safety of my furniture; and in
consequence of this, Eneas, an audacious young negro, in whom wisdom
hath not waited for years--Eneas, my groom, I say, will probably be
elevated to the post of valet-de-chambre. But where was I? I think I was
speaking to you of an oyster breakfast, to which, on our return from the
Park (du Bois), a company of pleasant rakes are invited. After quitting
Borel's, we propose to adjourn to the Barriere du Combat, where Lord
Cobham proposes to try some bull-dogs, which he has brought over from
England--one of these, O'Connell (Lord Cobham is a Tory,) has a face in
which I place much confidence; I have a bet of ten louis with Castijars
on the strength of it. After the fight, we shall make our accustomed
appearance at the 'Cafe de Paris,' (the only place, by the way, where
a man who respects himself may be seen,)--and then away with frocks and
spurs, and on with our dress-coats for the rest of the evening. In the
first place, I shall go doze for a couple of hours at the Opera, where
my presence is indispensable; for Coralie, a charming creature, passes
this evening from the rank of the RATS to that of the TIGERS, in a
pas-de-trois, and our box patronizes her. After the Opera, I must show
my face to two or three salons in the Faubourg St. Honore; and having
thus performed my duties to the world of fashion, I return to the
exercise of my rights as a member of the Carnival. At two o'clock all
the world meets at the Theatre Ventadour: lions and tigers--the whole
of our menagerie will be present. Evoe! off we go! roaring and boun