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armies of France and of Austria with fourscore thousand troops, which she had originally destined for the assistance of the King of Prussia. On his return to Paris the same year, he was commissioned to communicate the plan of the Russian military campaigns to the Court of Vienna; and whilst he was at that Court, the news arriv ed of the famous battle of Prague. The Count de Broglio entrusted him with dis patches to the Court of France, giving an account of the victory obtained over the King of Prussia.

soner. in 1762 his Sovereign intended to
have sent him Ambassador to Russia, to
replace le Baron de Breteuil, but the death
of the Emperor Peter the Third having
occasioned some change in the politics of
that Court, this appointment did not take
place. In September, however, of the
same year he was sent to London, as decre
ary of Embassy to the Duc de Niverno's,
Ambassador from France to that Court, to
conclude the Peace of 1763. His conduct
in this business was so agreeable to the
King of England, that he desired (contrary
to the usual etiquette on these occasions)
that he might carry to France the ratifica-
tion of the treaty of peace concluded be.
tween his Court and that of Versailles; and
his own Sovereign, as a mark of his appre
bation, honoured him with the Order of
St. Louis. When M de Niverno's quitted
his Embassy, D'Eon was appointed Minis-
ter Plenipotentiary to the Court of Lon-
don. His disputes with M. de Guerchy,
who scceeded M. de Nivernois, are told
with great spirit (and with the "Pieces
Justificatives" appended), in one large
volume 4to. entitled, "Lettres, Memoires,
and Negociations particuliéres du Che-

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Charged with these dispatches, and with the treaty concluded between Russia and France, D'Eon set out in a post- waggon for Paris. He had not, however, proceeded above fifteen leagues on his journey, when at the famous mountain of Me.ch in Lower Austria (two hundred and fifty leagues from Paris), and late at night, his carriage was overturned, and he broke one of the bones of his aucle. He stopped merely to have it set, and pursued his journey with such expedition, that he reached Versailles six-and-thirty hours sooner than the courier dispatched from the Court of Vienna to that of France; and without getting out of his carriage hevalier D'Eon, Londres, 1764." Whatever delivered his dispatches into the hands of M. de Rouille, then Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs. They were immediately taken to Louis XV. who ordered a lodging to be prepared for him, and sent one of his surgeons to attend him. He was confined to his bed for three months, and on his recovery was presented by his Sovereigu with a Lieutenancy of Dragoons (a situation he had been long anxious to obtain), and was sent a third time to Petersburgh, as Secretary of Embassy to the Marquis de 'Hospital. He returned from that Court in 1759; and, being desirous to distinguish himself in his military profession, he was permitted to join his regiment in Germany, as Capitaine des Dragons et des Vofontiers de l'Armée, and as Aid-du-Camp to the Count and Marshal de Broglio. At the battle of Ultrop our hero was twice wounded. At that of Ostervich, at the head of fourscore dragoons and forty hussars, he charged the Franc Battaillon Prus-les appointments soient plus considerables sen de Rhées, which he completely routed, que le present traitement." "LOUIS. and took the Commanding Officer pri- "A Versailles, le 1 Avril, 1766."

part the French Ministry might chuse to take in these disputes, his Sovereign still continued to honour him with his protection and confidence, and he remained in epistolary correspondence with him till the time of his death. Louis XV. had from time to time given him pensions of differ ent values: one of three thousand livers in 1757; another of two thousand livers in 1760; and in 1766 a third, from his own privy purse, of twelve thousand livres, thus stated in the warrant :

"En reconnaissance des services que le Sieur D'Eon m'a rendus, tant en Russie que dans mes armées, et d'autres commissions que je lui ai données, Je veux bien lui assurer un traitement annuel de douze

mille livres, que je lui ferai payer exactement tous les six mois, dans quelque pays qu'il soit, hormis en temps de guerre chez mes ennemis, et ce jusqu'à ce que je juge a propos de lui donner quelque poste, dont

for the money thus deposited. The particulars of the transaction are told in the Preface of the Catalogue Raisonnée of his books and MSS. which concludes in the following manner :—

"Mademoiselle D'Eon, ne voulant pas que ses creanciers de Londres puissent souffrir de cet acte d'injustice, donne avis qu'elle fera un sacrifice general de tout ce

Fusils, Bayonnettes, Sabres, Epees, Cuirasses, Corps, Casques, Dentelles, Diamans, Bijoux, et generalement tout ce qui compose la Garderobe d'un ancien Capitaine de Dragons, et celle d'une Demoiselle, qui ne veut rien emporter de cette isle que son honneur et le regret de la quitter

And here we enter upon circumstances of D'Eon's life now rendered as mysterious in its origin, as it is wonderful in its successful, concealment for so many years. Some faint rumours had spread at various preceding periods, that M. D'Eon was a woman, especially at Petersburgh, on account of the total indifference, and even aversion as to all affairs of gallantry constantly exhibited by D'Eon in that volup-quelle possede a Lond es, et fera vendre tuous court, where intrigue is well known publiquement, les 10 d'Avril prochain to have mixed itself on most occasions 1791, chez le Sieur Christie, Auctionner, with political events. Not that the man- dans sa Grande Salle en Pall-Mall, a Lonners or deportment of D'Eon were either dres, tous ses Livies et Manuscrits dont les harsh or fo: bidding towards women, but Catalogues sont ci-joints, ainsi que ses the extreme caution with which he always Estampes, Meubles, Effets, Habits, Uniavoided any private or particular inter-formes, Robes Jupons et Saniers, Pistolets, course with them, gave strength to the doubts excited as to his sex. D'Eon ac cordingly, both in France and England, assumed the female dress, and from the year 1777 down to his death, was universally regarded as a woman. The first few years after this metamorphosis were passed by M. D'Eon in France, where, if the meits of the newly established Demoiselle are to be estimated by the reception she met at the court of Louis XVI. and the expressions of esteem and respect made to her by almost every person of considera-mes retiennent injustement aux filles, Dicu tion in the kingdom, she was deserving of le leur rendra au centuple." the highest praise. About the year 1785, M. D'Eon returned to England, where he has resided ever since. The French revolution, fatal to so many other establishments, deprived him also of his pension. For a few subsequent years the sale of partvanced age. of his effects, and the profits of a public fencing exhibition in various parts of the United Kingdoin, enabled M. D'Eon to subsist with decency, but the increasing weight of age and infirmities, gradually rendered him incapable of these exertions, and for many years past he has been strugJing with poverty and distress.

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"Elle ne pourra se consoler de l'injus tice des hommes, que par le passage suivant de l'Ecriture:-Ce que les hommes retiennent injustement aux hommes, Dieu leur rendra dix fois la valeur. Ce que les hom

For the last twenty years he lived rather a secluded life, for many years residing in a house near the Surrey side of Westminster Bridge, in a private manner. He died on Tuesday, May 22, 1810, at a very adIt was implicitly believed to the last that the Chevalier was a female, of which sex for several years past he (for so we may now speak) wore the attire, &c. However, this curious question, and which; will even now excite no small degree of interest in various circles, was on the day after his decease set at rest, the body being dissected in the presence of some profes His Sovereign, to enable him to pay sional gentlemen, and the Earl of Yar. some debts he had contracted during the mouth, Sir Sidney Smith, Hon. Mr. Lyttletime he had the honour to serve him in ton, Mr. Douglas, and several other perhis diplomatic character in England, sent sons of consideration. The following is over to this country an agent with a very cerrect copy of the certificate of the proconsiderable sum of money for that pur-fessional gentleman who operated on the posc. This he entrusted to an English || occasion:nobleman, who died soon afterwards; and "I hereby certify, that I have inspected with the heirs of him he was long at law and dissected the body of the Chevalier

D'Eon, in the presence of Mr, Adair, Mr. | Perses, des Grecs, des Romains, et sur les

Wilson, and Le Pere Elizee, and have found the male organs in every respect perfectly formed.

(Signed) "T. COPELAND,

differentes Situations de la France, par Rapport aux Finances, depuis l'Etablissement des Francs dans la Gaule jusqu'a Present." 2 tomes, 12mo. 1758.

"Les Esperances d'un Bou Patriote dans l'Annee Literaire de Freron."

"Note remise a son Excellenec M. de Lon

Guerchy, par le Chevalier D'Eon."

dies. 1703.

Surgeon, Golden-square." About thirty-six years ago policies were opened to ascertain the sex of this extraordinary non-descript, to the amount of 200,0001. which was eventually decided and paid, upon surgical certificate, that the reputed Chevalier was a female. He made a will, in which he had ap-Proces Criminal Intente au Tribunal du pointed Sir Sidney Smith his executor, but it never was signed.

The following is a catalogue of the prin cipal literary performances of the Chevalier D'Eon:

Essai Historique sur less differentes Situations de la France, par Rapport aux Finances sous le Regne de Louis XIV. et la Regence du Duc d'Oleans." 1754. 12mo. “Considerations Historiques sur les Impots des Egyptiens, des Babyloniens, des

D'Eon." Quarto. Londres. 1764.
"Lettres, Memoires, &c. du Chevalier

"Pieces Authent ques pour servir aux

Roi d'Angleterre par le Chevalier D'Eon
contre le Comte de Guerchy." 1765.
"Derniere Lettre du Chevalier D'Eon a
M. de Guerchy." 4to. 1767.

"Loisirs du Chevalier D'Eon en Angle terre. 13 vols. 8vo.

Pieces relatives aux Demeles, de Mademoiselle D'Eon avec M. Caion dit le Beaumarchais." 8vo. 1778.

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Epitre aux Anglos dans leurs tristes Circonstances." 1788. 8vo.

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS.

HYMEN.EA IN SEARCH OF A HUSBAND.

[Continued from page 215.]

"WINTER now approached, and || Those who are in a capacity to entertain Clarissa, eager to partake in those splendours of the fashionable world to which her rank and her fortune entitled her, per- || suaded her husband to leave the country for London; and a house was accordingly taken for them in one of the most fashionable streets.

The

may be entertained in their turn; those
who can receive others at dinners, routs,
and suppers, may receive an equivalent in
similar invitations to themselves.
fortune of Sir William and Clarissa, there-
fore, opened every door to their admission,
and no party was complete in which they
were not seen. They soon became dis-
tinguished for their mutual elegance and
extravagance; and though Sir William's

"It is unnecessary to say, that possessed of wealth, beauty, and an acknowledged || rank in the world, Clarissa and her husband were received with an ardour of wel-gravity of temper could not but see and come amongst the fashionable societies of the metropolis. So much, at least, must be acknowledged with respect to the beau monde, that it opens wide its arms to receive all those who approach, and that very little is required to admission besides the qualifications necessary to bear a part.

momentarily dissapprove this thoughtless profusion, like many wiser men he gra dually surrendered up his own superior sense to the influence of his wife.

"Whence is it Hymenæa, that even men of the best understanding are thus "unreasonably governed, I was about to say

by the least reasonable of women. I am afraid, there is a current principle, or domestic proverb, which misleads most men, and too frequently ruins many. Submit in little things and you may govern in great ones, says one of the wiseacres who has written on the economy of married life. The misfortune, however, is, that the government of the wife, and the submission of the husband, are gradually rendered habitual; they begin in little things, and extend to great things, all distinction is lost between trifles and importance, and the wife becomes the despot of the house, and the uncontrouled administrator of the time and fortune of her husbaud. Now, though a woman myself, I cannot hesitate to say, that this indulgence has the worst effect, and more particularly, as it is ordinarily found in those cases in which the wife is of all reasonable creatures the least calculated for such confidence and management. The young and the beautiful are those who actually possess this influence, and govern their husbands and fortunes with this unlimited sway. I should not quartel with those who would give this power to discreet elderly matrons, but it is truly distressing to see a girl just emancipated from a boarding-school the uncontrouled mistress of thousands, and making ducks and drakes of her husband's acres, till she leaves him without money or Jand.

"To return, however, to my story.Clarissa and her husband being one morning at breakfast in the drawingroom, and her husband seemingly in fixed attention at the window, Clarissa demanded of him what it was that so occupied him."

"I am looking at that queer figure in the street," said he; "he has planted himself opposite this house, and seems to be looking at me."

"Clarissa went to the window, and her husband pointed out to her the object which had taken his attention. He was a fellow in a slouched hat like those worn by the coal-heavers, with a watchman's coat."

What is there in him?" said Clarissa.
I know not," said Sir William; "but

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he seems to me a madman, see how he

stares."

"Nonsense," said Clarissa, "you are fixed in attention on his strange figure, and he is in admiration at yours."

"This conversation was interrupted by the departure of the object of their at tention, and the arrival of morning visitors, who came to invite them to a mas querade to be held at the Opera House the same evening."

"Your ladyship will be at the masquerade to night," said Colonel Lounge.

"Not I," said Clarissa; "I am wearied with the town, I have been here three months, and do not really believe that with the exception of the time I am in bed that I have been at home twelve hours in the whole."

"And why should you madam," said Lady Squander; "surely home is not the scene of a lady of fashion. It is a place to sleep in, and a place where your friends may find you; but what have you and I to do with what belongs to country housewives, that can neither make bread, nor drink gooseberry-wine."

"This was laughed at as a piece of wit, and Clarissa, who had made up her mind not to go to any parties or places of amusement for ten days to come, did not suffer her friends to depart without engaging herself to accompany them to the masquerade in the evening. So much for good resolutions.

"Sir William, who had stept out during this morning visit, returned to dinner, and asking the servants where their lady was, and receiving for answer that she was in her dressing-room, he hastily ascended and entered the room in some abruptness.

"There is something about that fellow that I do not like," said he to his wife; "I have been riding in the park, and happening to look round I found him behind me."

"On foot," said Clarissa.

"No, on horse," replied Sir William; " and what is more singular, though so scurvily dressed, his horse was not inferior to my own, indeed infinitely exceeded it, though I hitherto

thought mine to be the most valuable nant, and never followed up into active in town." ill-nature. We have so many things, and "Why did you not speak to him?" said all in such quick succession, to occupy Clarissa. our thoughts, that nothing takes a very "I attempted it once," replied Sir Wil-strong hold of us. One thing scarcely liam, "but he shook the reins of his horse rises before it is removed by a successive as if accidentally, and the horse immediately galloped off full speed, and a noble animal it was. The whole park was astonished at seeing such a shabby rascal on such a noble beast."

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"In the first place, because I saw him in the morning evidently watching the house; and secondly, because how came he in the park immediately behind me?" "Nonsense," said Clarissa; I certainly believe that he had some purpose this morning in watching the house, but I cannot conjecture any that he could have in watching you."

66

May be so," said Sir William, who since he had been married had not been accustomed to think deeply of any thing, I have no enemies that I know of, and most certainly none that I fear. And with respect to the house, let the servants keep a good watch, and they are numerous enough to repulse more than oue robber."

"And with this observation he dismissed the matter from his mind, and descended to his library to receive some dinner company whom he shortly expected, and who in a short time afterwards arrived."

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onc.

"To return, however, to my narrative. The rencontre,' continued the gentleman, was a very extraordinary one, between a man of fashion and a coal heaver or the devil in his shape."

"A coal-beaver," said Sir William. "that "Yes," replied the narrator, queer fellow that rode after us in the Park, and that you left me looking at when you returned home." A coalheaver, ladies,' continued he, addressing himself to the ladies, ‘ou one of the finest horses in Loudon, and this and his queer figure, as you may imagine, excited our attention, I mean the attention of all the gentlemen and ladies in the Park. So, Lord Billy, as he is called, Lord W. B—, happening to be riding with his sister and the fair brewer, and a good large party of us, told us to observe how he would quiz him, the coal-heaver.

"Well, Lord Billy rode up to quiz the coal-heaver."

"Honest friend," said he, “I should like to know which of our horses, yours or mine, can run the best."

"Have you seen mine run," said the

man.

us.

"Yes," replied Lord Billy, winking to

"At the dinner table one of the gentlemen cominenced a conversation, by de- "Then it only remains to see what manding of Sir William if he had heard yours can do," replied the coal heaver; of the rencontre in the park. and with that he smacked his great-cart “No,” replied Sir William; "no," re-whip on the flanks of Lord Billy's horse, plied all the ladies, all equally eager. “I need not tell you, my dear Hymenæa, that there are certain periods, in which gossipping is as welcome and delectable in the great world as in the low, that there are certain seasons, where something is necessary to fill up the mind, and interrupt the uniformity of the stream of life. There is stil, however, this difference be tween the gossipping of the fashionable and that of the vulgar world, that the former has less of malice, and where scandal becomes a part of it, it is never malig.

who not being accustomed to such vigorous dealing, and not much relishing the smart, took to his heels at his fullest speed, and galloped the complete length of the Mall, when he turned back and came at the same speed back again, and Lord Billy hanging by his neck the whole way till he came up to the ladies, where the beast quietly stopt. In the meantime the fellow, enjoying his own joke, had rode quietly off.'

This anecdote excited much mirth." [To be continued.]

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