The Merry Past 



Later in the century Carlisle House, in Soho 

 Square, became the favourite rendezvous of the 

 fashionable world. Here Mrs. Cornelis presided 

 as ruling Goddess of Fashion. Her luxurious orgies 

 were the heaven of the dissipated, where the libertine 

 could indulge in ephemeral gratifications to his 

 heart's content, and the thoughtless bacchanalian 

 drown his few intellects in the most costly productions 

 of French vineyards. Here, without apprehension of 

 check or hindrance, the voluptuary might revel away 

 the night amidst the most congenial surroundings. 



Mrs. Cornelis was by birth a German, who, at a 

 very early age, had become a public singer. She was 

 the delight of Dresden, and in high estimation at 

 the court. From that city she had gone to Italy, 

 where she had soon acquired, under the best masters, 

 the grace and charm for which that country was then 

 renowned. Eventually she came to England, in 

 the suite of a British nobleman, who had promised 

 her his protection. 



Endowed by nature with an enterprising spirit, 

 and possessing a good understanding, great knowledge 

 of mankind, and specious manners, Mrs. Cornelis 

 soon contrived to raise herself into public notice, 

 and obtained the patronage of the fashionable world, 

 who flocked to all the amusements which her taste 

 and fancy could devise. 



The foundation of her fortune laid, she determined 

 to complete it, and opened a magnificent temple in 

 Soho Square, calling it after the name of her first 

 benefactor, Carlisle House. This soon became the 



229 



