1830.] Behaviour of AT. Talleyrand. 533 



intentions of the emperor, and without Monsieur they could not manage. 

 So, as it was a matter of much indifference (at least to one party), by 

 the aid of a priest and the Consistory of Paris, the legitimate establish- 

 ment, if not the happiness, of the Prince de Benevento was beneficently 

 augmented. 



Madame de Talleyrand is said to be a native of Tranquebar, in the 

 East Indies, and was endowed by nature with great personal charms, 

 which, while she was yet very young, attracted the admiration of an 

 Anglo-East Indian gentleman, named Grant, to whom she gave her 

 hand. But that union was scarcely accomplished ere it was dissolved ; 

 and the lady, quitting her husband, went to Calcutta where, it is reported, 

 she formed a connection with one of the members of government a 

 man of rank and talent ; and where she obtained more consideration 

 in public than would haply have been accorded her in a more fastidious 

 state of society ; until, having exhausted the gallantry and admiration of 

 atrabilious nabobs, she resolved to try her fortunes in the western world, 

 leaving legalities to brood over their disappointment and chagrin, at the 

 loss of beauty, but allowing no inadequate stock of patience and resig- 

 nation to console and comfort them, on the score of the privation of 

 intelligence or mind. From birth and education all her sympathies had 

 been directed to the shores of France, and thither she resorted, some- 

 what prior to the peace of Amiens, where possessing the pecuniary 

 means of rendering herself prominent to the notice of the Parisians, 

 her appearance excited what was termed une sensation. In personal 

 charms she established herself the successful rival of Mesdames 

 Recamier and Tallien, who could only avenge the some-time desertion 

 of their thrones by the World of Fashion, in expressing, with humour 

 and humeur, their contempt of the mendicant stock of wit with which 

 Madame Grant had been endowed ; but the declaration of " she is a 

 fool of twenty-four carats," or without alloy, was powerless in contra- 

 diction to the allurements of novelty. " The widow of Tranquebar" 

 became as much the rage as in later days robes a I' ultimatum ~ 

 the Tunisian Envoy Mr. Henry Hunt Sir Somebody Something, 

 who went over with a foolish address from the " gentlemen" at 

 the Crown and Anchor the Osages, or even the Giraffe itself. 



The roads to distinction in France are more various and irregular 

 than with us ; Madame Grant had, rapidly as easily, attained the summit 

 of renown : and one who hobbled slowly after called to her to hold out a 

 helping hand to aid him in his ascent ; for, under the Consular Govern- 

 ment, men of the first ability found not the path so facile as before. 

 She hesitated for a moment ; but as gold is tried by the fire, woman by 

 gold, and man by woman, the arguments of her petitioner were irresis- 

 tible : and if affection entered not into the contract of partnership, the 

 views of the lame lover and the Indian widow were equally seconded- 

 The sentiments of the world, as to the spiritual endowments of the lady, 

 were manifested by " La Belle, et la Bete," applied to her by her friends ; 

 while the replies of the party more particularly interested in their 

 display, afford the due measure at which they were appreciated by 

 him. " How could Madame, with her infant want of sense, induce you 

 to -become connected ?" was. asked : " What would you ?" was the 

 answer ; " Madame de Stael has so wearied me with wit, that I deemed 

 I could never sufficiently give in to the opposite extreme." ' ' Simples we 

 all know are possessed of Virtues" was the dry and uncomplimentary- 

 response to one who deemed that he could best pay his court to Mon- 



