4^ P({ ^o^'j 1 KEY TO VIVIAN GREY BT.ma A COMPLETE EXPOSITION Iroyal, noble, and. fashionable -^/ charactehs rrt FTfnjT;K IN THAT iMOST EXTRAORDINARV; PHILADELPHIA CAREY, LEA, AND CAREY CHESNUT STREET. ^inr.T) IN HEW TOHK, BT O. ASn) C. CAnVILL ; IN BOSTON, BT UII ?.TAnD, GRAY, ANB CO., ANB niCHABBRON ANB tOHB. KEY TO VIVIAN GREY. Just Published BY CAREY, LEA ^ CAREY. LIFE OF NAPOLEON, BY THE AUTHOR OF WAVERLEY. In three Vols. 8vo. REUBEN APSLEY, BY THE AUTHOR OF BRAMBLETYE HOUSE— THE TOR HILL, &C. In two Vols. HIGHWAYS AND BYEWAYS. THIRD SERIES. In two Vols. VIVIAN GREY, Complete — In three Vols. PERSONAL SKETCHES OF HIS OWN TIMES, BY SIR JONAH BARRINGTON.— Svo. KEY TO VIVIAN GREY Pandarus. Here, here, here's an excellent place : here we may see most bravely. I'll tell you them all by their names as they pass by. Cressida. Speak not so loud. * * * Who's that ? Shakspearc, FIRST AMERICAN, FROM THE TENTH LONDON EDITION. PHILADELPHIA • CAREY, LEA, AND CAREY CHESNUT STREET. SOLD IJf PfEW TOllK, BT G. AXD C. CARVILL ; IN BOSTOX, BT Hlt- LIARD, GHAT, AND CO., AND RICHARDSON AND LORD. 1827. MIFFLIN & PARRY, PRI:NTEK&, W^..^^ KEY TO VIVIAN GREY. The spring-tide of Fashion has just set in upon London ; the boxes of the Opera are filled on every night of performance, with jewelled peeres- ses and other dames of high blood; the stately man- sions in the country are getting more and more empty; parliament is assembled, and the continua- tion of *^ Vivian Grey" is to be found in every drawing room west of Portland Place, and, we sus- pect, in the more tender recesses of the boudoirs oi the young and fair; in which latter places we are afraid our adventurer will be found rather a danger- ous companion. The public are not now to be told to what class of novels this work belongs; nor, in elucidating some of its mysteries, do we desire to be consider- ed as vindicating the sarcastic and personal vein which the author has chosen to adopt. We think it impossible that any one can conscientiously de- clare that he approves of the practice of dragginj^ into the open light of day, the frailties and infirmi- ties of private individuals, and exhibiting them un- der the most ludicrous aspects for the entertainment of the public; but, reprehensible as this is, it can- not be denied that it is highly attractive to all clas- ses, and to persons of all opinions,— those who are foremost in censuring it, being also foremost in their eagerness to participate in the diversion it af- fords. This particular kind of personality has been called the vice of our age, and so it is; but it is not 1* 2 KEY TO VIVIAN GREY. peculiarly/ so, for we should like to be told what age was ever free from it, and what people ever turned a deaf ear to its insinuations. The appetite for this kind of reading is the common lot of hu- manity; it is one of the many modern shapes of the primeval longing for forbidden things; and in pe- rusing satirical novels, we are in a manner like an- cient Pistol devouring his leek under the discipline of Fluellen: we grumble, but still we eat, though with more willingness and a better relish than the valiant hero to whom we have just alluded. But the novel, ^^ Vivian Grey," is not only per- sonal and s.itirical; it is also inventive and poetical; and the darts of its malice being sharpened by these qualities, and, which is of more importance, wing- ed by fashion, carry farther and pierce deeper than they would without the buoj^ancy of these adjuncts. This latter characteristic imparts at once an especial grace to the book, and palliates, in some measure, its spirit: for if any kind of life (not essentially public) can justify the invasion of ridicule, it is the life of the haute noblesse^ where vice has not the excuse of necessity, nor folly the plea of ignorance. Upon this, perhaps, the author of Vivian Grey may resi his vindication, and assert that he is not mean- ly administering to a malicious taste in the public; but still we are of opinion that he has been unne- cessarily severe in his caricatures, and unwarranta- bly free in his disclosures. Perhaps he will think that, as he has now laid his scene in Germany, and has given the greater part of his characters foreign names, the identities will become enigmas which few will be able to penetrate; not to mention that, in numerous instances, he has contrived to mix up the characteristics of several living individuals into one of his dramatis personas. This is ingenious enough, and he may flatter himself will render him inscrutable; but we will «^ pluck out the heart of KEY TO VIVIAN GREY. 3 his mystery." It is not fit that he should wrap himself in darkness while he strikes at his victims: and although we are guilty neither of breach of confidence, nor of any other sinister proceeding, we will turn a light upon him, and reveal his aim, in a manner that shall startle himself, and make him suspect that his private desk and solitary pillow have put on vitality and have conspired together to betray his secrets. Had this novel been stupid, we should not have considered ourselves called upon to put people on their guard with respect to its machinations ; had it failed of success, exposure would have been un- necessary ; had it been altogether mischievous we should have left it to the contempt which eventual- ly is the reward of malevolence. But ** Vivian Grey" is unluckily full of originality and genius ; it is eagerly purchased, and enthusiastically read, (by the elevated classes especially, for even His Majesty, it appears, has expressed his great curios- ity to see the present volumes) ; and, in the midst of its diabolical spleen, gleams of goodness and high-mmdedness, and love of virtue, ever and anon break forth, like the calm but momentary visita- tions of the moon through the rifts of black clouds in a gusty night. The author, therefore, notwithstanding his malice, is a person that demands attention ; to say nothing of the great desire we entertain to allay the feverish anxiety every where prevalent, for an explanation of the extraordinary characters in his work. The continuation of the novel opens with an apostrophe to the Rhine, which, though eloquent enough, is out of place in a work which we take up in the expectation of finding lively, though spite- ful, pictures of society. We soon, however, arrive at these, as will be seen by the following animated ] KEY TO VITIAN GREY. sketch of a conversation at Frankfort, among some *' Exclusives," about the engagement of a Prima Donna. The sagacious reader will immediately recognize a picture of some of our own Italian-Op- era squabbles. CONTEST FOR A PRIMA DONNA. ** All this time the Austrian had not joined in the conversa- tion ; not, however, because his mouth was shut — that is ne- ver the fault of an Austrian. Count von Altenburgh had now, however, finished his breakfast. Next to eating", music is the business in which an Austrian is most interested. The Count having had the misfortune of destroying-, for the present, one great source of his enjoyment, became very anxious to know what chance there existed of his receiving some consolation from the other. FUnging down his knife and fork, as if he estimated those instruments very slightly, now that their ser- vices were useless, and pushing his plate briskly from him, he demanded with an anxious air — * Can any gentleman in- form me what chance there is of the Signora coming?' " 'No news to-day,' said the Baron, with a mournful look ; * I'm almost in despair ; — what do you think of the last notes that have been interchanged ?' " ' Very little chance,' said the Chevalier de Boeffleurs, shaking his head ; * really these burghers, with all thfir affect- ed enthusiasm, have managed the business exceedingly bad. No opera can possibly succeed, that is not conducted by a committee of noblemen.* *' * Certainly,' said the Baron ; * we're sure then to have the best singers, and be in the Gazette the same season.' «" Which is much better, I think. Von Konigstein, than paying our bills, and receiving no pleasure.' '"'But these burghers,' continued the Baron; 'these clum- sy burgers, with their affected enthusiasm, as you well ob- serve, who could have contemplated such novices in diploma- cy ? Whatever may be the issue, I can at least lay my head upon my pillow, ai^d feel that I have done my duty. Did not I, de Bosuffieurs. first place the negociation on a basis of ac- knowledged feasibility and mutual benefit ? Who drew the protocol, I should like to know ? Who baffied the intrigues of the English Minister, the Lord Amelius Fitz-fudge Borough- by ? Who sat up one whole night with the Signora's friend, the Russian Envoy, Baron Squallonoff — and who was it that first arranged about the extra chariot ?' and here the repre- sentative of a first rate German Power looked very much like a resigned patriot, who feels that he deserves a ribbon. KEY TO VIVIAN GREY. •'*No doubt of it, my dear von Konigstein,' echoed the French Charg6 d' Affaires, * and I think whatever may be the result, that I too may look back to this negociation with no ungratified feelings. Had the arrangement been left as I had wished, merely to the Ministers of the Great Powers, I am confident that the Signora would have been singing this night in our Opera House/ „ i. j " 'What is the grand point of difference at present?* asked 4-|i*i Ai'iQt'Tiftn " * A most terrific one,' said the Baron : * the lady demand- ed six-and-thirty covers, two tables, two carriages, one of which I arranged should be a chariot ; that at least the town owes to me ; and, let me see, what else ? merely a town man- sion and establishment. Exerting myself day and night, these terms were, at length, agreed to by the municipality, and the lady was to ride over from Darmstadt to sign and seal. In the course of her ride, she took a cursed fancy to the country villa of a great Jew banker, and since that moment the ar- rangement has gone off. We have offered her every thmg— the Commandant's country castle— his lady's country farm— the villa of the director of the Opera— the retreat of our pre- sent prima donna— all, all in vain. We have even hmted at a temporary repose in a neighbouring royal residence— but ali, all useless. The banker and the Signora are equally intracta- ble, and Frankfort is in despair.' ♦♦ • Slie ought to have signed and sealed at Darmstadt, said the Count very indignantly. « ' To be sure ! — they should have closed upon her caprice, and taken her when she was in the fancy.' " The Baron here mentioned, will be without much difficulty referred to his original. It will be 5een, by and by, that he figures in another way. After witnessing the pranks of an extraordinary conjurer, who, in his conceits and never-failing power of repartee, is almost equal to some of Shakspeare's clowns, our hero and a few of his newly acquired friends, proceed on to the fashion- able bathing-place of Ems, where they are initiated into the luxuries of the German beau-monde, and are introduced to a rich, empty, and pompous Rus- sian Archduke, to an English Parvenue family of the name of Fitzloom (which are so boldly sketch- i?d, that scarcely any one at all acquainted with the 6 KEY TO VIVIAN GREY. upper circles, and, by consequence, with those who have obtruded themselves there, can fail to recog- nize them,) and to an Engh'sh lady of high rank, an.l her young and lovely companion. The por- traits of these two exquisite creatures are so deli- ciously painted, and with such bel-air, that we must exhibit them. Our '*Key" will shew who they are : LADY MADELEINE TREVOR AND MISS FANE. " At this moment a party entered the room, who were rather late in their appearance, but who attracted the atten- tion of Vivian so keenly, that he almost forgot the gay crowd on whom he was lately gazing with such amusement. The group consisted of three persons ; a very handsome fashiona- ble-looking young man, who supported on each arm a female. The lady on his right arm was apparently about five-and- twcnty years of age. She was of majestic stature; her com- plexion of untinged purity. Her features were like those conceptions of Grecian sculptors, which in moments of despon- dency, we sometimes believe to be ideal. Her full eyes were of the same deep blue as a mountain lake, and gleamed from under their long lashes, as that purest of waters beneath its fringing sedge. Her light brown hair was braided from her high forehead, and hung in long full curls over her neck ; the mass gathered up into a Grecian knot, and confined by a ban- deau of cameos. She wore a superb dress of the richest black velvet, whose folding drapery was confined round a waist which was in exact symmetry with the proportions of her full bust, and the polished roundness of her bending neck. On the little finger of an ungloved hand, sparkled a diamond of un- known value, which was linked by a small Venetian chain to a gorgeous bracelet of the most precious stones. The coun- tenance of the lady was dignified, without any expression of pride ; and reserved, without any of the harshness of austeri- ty. In gazing on her, the enraptui'ed spectator for a moment believed that Minerva had forgotten her severity, and had en- tered into a deliglitful rivalry with Venus. *• Her companion was much younger, much shorter, and of slender form. The long tresses of her chesnut hair shaded her oval face. Her small aquiline nose, bright hazel eyes, delicate mouth, and the deep colour of her lips, were as re- markable as the transparency of her complexion. The flush of hir cheek was singular — it was of a brilliant pink: you may find it in the lip of an Indian shell. The blue veins KEY TO VIVIAN GREY. 7 « played beneath her arched forehead, hke hghtning beneath a rainbow. She was simply dressed in white, and a damask rose, half hid in her clustering hair, was her only ornament. This lovely creature glided by Vivian Grey almost unnoticed, so fixe(J was his gsze on \ur companion. Yet, magnificent as was the style of Lady Mai;eletne Tbevoh, there were few who preferred eve.i her commandmg graces, to the softer beauties of Violet Fane." This is followed by a gaming scene in the saloon of the princely bathino;-house, which those who travel with full purs's to the continent would do well to read attentively. But we must pass this, and hold up to general observation a little account of the family which has lately risen so suddenly into notice and influence in this country, antl who, as we have already stated, are here called the Fitz- looms : AN ENGLISH PARVENU. ** 'There has been a great addition to the visitors to-day, I see,' said Lady Madeleine : • pray who are the new-comers ?* *" English,' said the Chevalier, who, seated at a considera- ble distance froni her ladyship, had not spoken a word during the whole dinner. •**I'll tell you all about them,' said the Baron. * This fami- ly is one of those, whose existence astounds the Continent much more than any of your mighty dukes and earls ; whose fortunes, though colossal, can be conceived; and whoue rank is understood. Mr. Fitzloom is a very different personage; for, thirty years ago- he was a journeyman cotton spinner : some miraculous Invention in machinery entitled him to a patent, which has made him one of the most important landed- proprietors in Gieat Britain. He has lately been returned a member for a great manufacturing city; and he intends to get over the two first years of his parliamentary career, by successively monopolizing the accommodation of all the prin- cipal cities of France, Gt^rmany, Switzerland, and Italy ; and by 'aising the price of provisions and post-horses through a travk of five thousand miles. My information is aut'nentic, for I l^ad a casual acquaintance with him in England. There was S(ime talk of a contract for supplying our army from England, and I saw Fitzloom often on the subject : I have spoken to him to-day. This is by no means the first of the species that we have had in Germany. I can assure you, that the plain traveller feels se!-';"«is!y the inconvenience of following such a caravan. Their money flows with such un- 8 .KEY TO VIVIAN GREY. wise prodigality, that real liberality ceases to be valued ; and many of your nobility have complained to me, that, in their travels, they are now often expostulated with, on account of their parsimony, and taunted with the mistaken extravagance of a stocking-maker or a porter-brewer.' " ^. We have already made a slight allusion to the witty, accomplished, but unprincipled Baron Von Konigstein. The whole sketch of this titled black- leg is a veritable picture of a gambler of high rank at this moment flourishing in the Hells, and we are sorry to say, in the upper circles of London. In this particular, our Key must be deficient ; we cannot, even by inuendo, venture to hint at him, though, when we give his flagitious history from the pages of our modern Diable Boifeux, we hope he will at least be pretty generally suspected. The events detailed in the following remarkable extract, are, (allowing for a few very slight altera- tions, necessary for precaution,) perfectly true. We know of more than one who will turn pale at the recital. A GAMBLER OF HIGH LIFE. " Lady Madeleine paused one moment, and then resumed with a firm voice : — " * Upwards of six years, Mr. Grey, have now passed since Baron von Konigstein was appointed Minister to London, from the Court of . Although apparently young for such an important mission, he had already eminently distinguished himself as a diplomatist; and with all the advantages of bril- liant talents, various accomplishments, rank, reputation, per- son, and a fascinating address, I need not tell you, that he im- mediately became of consideration, even in the highest circles. Mr. Trevor — I was then just married — was at this period high in office, and was constantly in personal communication with the Baron. They became intimate, and his excellency our constant guest. The Baron had the reputation of being a man of pleasure. Few men ever existed for whose indiscretions there could be a greater excuse ; nor had any thing ever transpired which could induce us to believe, that Baron von Konigstein could be guilty of any thing but an indiscretion. At tliis period a relation, and former ward of Mr, Trevor's, a KEY TO VIVIAN GliEt. 9 young man of considerable fortune, and one whom we all most fondly loved, resided in our family. Trevor and myself consi- dered him as our brother. With this individual Baron von Ko- nig-stein formed a strong friendship ; they were seldom apart. Our relation was not exempted from the failings of all young men.- He led a very dissipated, an alarmingly dissipated life ^ but he was very young ; and, as unlike most relations, we ne- ver allowed any conduct on his part, for an instant to banish )iim from our society, we trusted that the contrast which his own family afforded to his usual companions, would in time ren- der his tastes more refined, and his habits less irregular. We had now known Baron von Konigstein for upwards of a year and a half, most intimately. Nothing had transpired during this period to induce Mr. Trevor to alter the opinion which he had entertained of him from the first; he believed hrni to be a man of the purest honour, and, in spite of a few imprudencies, ■jfthe correctest principles. Whatever might have been my own opinion of his Excellency at this period, I had no reason to vioubt tile natural goodness of his disposition ; and though I could not hope that he was one who would assist us in our plans for the reformation of Augustus, I still rejoiced to observe, that in the Baron he would at least find a companion very different from the unprincipled and selfish beings by whom he was too often surrounded. Something occurred at this time, Mr. Grey, which it is necessary for me only to allude to 5 but which placed Baron von Konigstein, according to his own declaration, under the most lasting obligations to myself. In the warmth of iiis heart, he asked, if there was any real and important service which he could do me: 1 took advantage of the moment to speak to him about our young friend ; 1 detailed to him all our anxie- ties ; he anticipated all my wishes, and promised to watch over him ; to be his guardian ^ his friend — his real friend. Mr. Grey,' continued her ladyship, * I struggle to restrain my feelings ; but the recollections of this period of my life are so painful, that for a moment I must stop to recover myself ! " For a few minutes they walked on in silence ; Vivian did not speak, his heart was too fidl ; and when her ladyship re- sumed her tale, he unconsciously pressed her arm. '* ' Mr. Grey. 1 study to be brief About three months after the Baron had given me the pledge which I mentioned, Mr. Trevor was called up at an early hour one morning, with the alarming intelligence, that his late ward was supposed to be at the point of death at a neighbouring hotel. He instantly ac- companied the messenger, and on the way the fatal truth was broken to him — our young friend had committed suicide ! He had been playing all night with one whom I cannot now name.' Here Lady Madeleine's voice died away, but with a struggle •lie again spoke firmly. 10 KEY TO VIVIAN GREY. *' *I mean, Mr. Grey — with the Baron — some foreigners also,, and an Enghshman — all intimate friends of Von Konigstein, and scarcely known to Captain , I mean the deceased. Our friend had been the only suiferer ; he had lost his whole fortune — and more than his fortune : and, with a heart full of despair and remorse, had, with his own hand, terminated his unhappy life. The whole circumstances were so suspicious, that pubhc Httention was keenly attracted, and Mr. Trevor spared no ex- ertion to bring the offenders to punishment. The Baron liad the hardihood to call upon us the next day ; admittance was, of course, refused. He wrote the most violent letters, protesting by all that was sacred thitt he was innocent ; that he was asleep during most of the night, and accusing the others who were pre- sent of a conspiracy. The unhappy business now attracted iniiversal attention- Its consequence on me was an alarming illness of a most unfortunate kind; I was therefore prevented from interfering, or indeed, knowing any thing that took place; but Trevor informed me that the Baron was involved in a cor- respondence in the public prints ; that the accused parties re- criminated, and that finally he was convinced that Von Ko- nigstein, if there was any difference, was if possible, the most guilty. However tins might be, he soon obtained his recall from his own government. He wrote to myself and to Trevor before he left England, but 1 was too ill to hear of his letters, until Mr. Trevor informed me that he had returned them un- opened. And now, Mr. Gre}-, I am determined to give utter- ance to that which as yet has always died upon my lips — the victim — the unhappy victim was the brother of Miss Fane!' ««0h, God!'" As a companion to this precious display, take the following secret history of another foreign black- guard : THE MODERN COUNT FATHOM. "♦There,' said the Baron, ♦ goes the son of an unknown fa- ther ; his mother followed the camp, and her offspring was early initiated in the mysteries of military petty larceny. As he grew up, he became the most skilful plunderer that ever rifled the dying of both sides. Before he was twenty, he fol- lowed the army as a petty chapman, and amassed an excellent fortune by re-acquiring after a battle, the very goods and trink- ets which he had sold at an immense price before it. Such a wretch could do nothing but prosper, and in due time, the sutler's brat became a Commissary general. He made mil- lions in a period of general starvation, and cleared at least a hundred thousand dollars, by embezzling the slioe leatlier du- ring a retreat. He is now a Bai-oii, covered with orders, and KEY TO VIVIAN GREY. 11 his daughters are'mariied to some of our first nobles. There l^oes a Polish Count, who is one of the greatest gamblers in Christendom. In the same season he lost to a Russian general, at one game of chess, his chief castle, and sixteen thousand acres of woodland ; and recovered himself on another game, on which he won of a Turkish Pashaw one hundred and eighty thousand leopard skins. The Turk, who was a man of strict honour, paid the Count; by embezzhng the tribute in kine of tlie province he governed ; and, as on quarter-day he could not, of course, make up his accounts with the Divan, he joined the Greeks.' " It is not our business in the present pages, to de- tail the singular plot of this singular novel, which, whether it deserve to be praised or not, is, at any rate, unlike any thing hitherto extant in our language. For the love scenes — the extravagant and vStrange descriptions, which at first seem like the anomalous dreams of a heated imagination, but which one sometimes feels startled to recognize in actual life ; for the moody thoughts and philosophy of the author's mind — the politics, the poetical rhapsodies, the grotesque imaginary characters, and the short and pregnant sentences, which con- tain, as it were, the substance of a month's contem- plation, vv'e refer our reader to the work itself. Our present design is to exhibit the personalities, and to elucidate them. We, accordingly, proceed to the following amusing, sneering and caustic de- scription, referring as before to our *^ Key" for the real characters. TWO CHRIST-CHURCH OXFORD MEN ON THEIR TRAVELS. **It was about a week after the departure of the Baron, that two young Englishmen, who had been College friends of Mr. St. George, arrived at the Baths. These were Mr. Anthony St. I.eger, and Mr. Adolphus St. John. In the academic shades of Christ-church, these three gentlemen had, when youths, succeeded to the admiring envy of all under graduates, and to the heavy cost of both their purses and their constitutions, in a faint imitation of the second rate debaucliery of a metropolis. At Oxford, that venerable nurse of wit and humour, — where flm, like their sermons, though orthodox, is rather dull,--3. 12 KEY TO VIVIAN GREY. ?eally facetious fellow of New College, had dubbed these infant libertines * All Saints.' Among" their youthful companions they bore the more martial style of * The Three Champions,* St. George, St. John, and St. Anthony. *' St. John and St. Anthony had just completed the grand tour ; and after passmg the Easter at Rome, had returned through the Tyrol from Italy. Since then, they had travelled over most parts of Germany ; and now, in the beginning of July, found themselves at the Baths of Ems. Two years travel had not produced any very beneficial effect on either of these .sainted personages. They left the University with empty heads and vitiated minds. A season in London introduced them to the life of which they had previously only read and heard in the accounts of lying novels, and the boastings of worn-out roues ; and they felt disgust at their college career, only be- cause they could now compare their former crude dissipation, with the resources of the most miraculous of modern cities. Travelling, as they had done, with minds utterly incapable ei- ther of observation or reflection, they had gained by visiting the capitals of all Europe, only ar^ue acquaintance with the vices of each ; and the only difference that could be observed in their conduct on their return, was, that their affectation was rather more disgusting, because it was more obstrusive. What capital companions for old Sherborne! *' 'Corpodi Bacco! my cliampion, who ever thought of meet- ing thee, thou holy saint! By the eye-brow of Venus, my spirit rejoiceth!* exclaimed St. Anthony, whose peculiar affectation was an adoption in English of the Italian oaths. *• * This is the sweetest spot, St. Anthony, that we have found since we left Paradiso ; that is, St- George, in the vulgar ■ ter than by giving a pretty specimen of each. Is it difficult to recognize the following hero? AN EXQUISITE. " Vivian, who after a round or two with the Grand Marshal^ had mounted Max, was presented by the young Count von BernstorfT, the son of the Grand Chamberlain, to whose care he had been specially commended by the Prince, to the lovely Countess Von S . The examination of this high autho- rity was rigid, and her report satisfactory. When Vivian quitted the side of her britchka, half a dozen dandies imme- diately rode up to learn the result ; and, on being informed, they simultaneously cantered on to young von Bernstorff, and requested to have the honour of being introduced to his highly interesting friend. All these exqwisites wore white hats lined w^ith crimson, in consequence (f the head of the all-in- rtuential Emelius von Aslingen having, on the preceding day, been kept sacred from the profaning air, by that most tasteful covering. The young lords were loud in their commenda- tions of this latest evidence of Von Aslingen's happy genius, and ralUed, with a most unmerciful spirit, the tinfortunate Von Bernstorff for not having yet mounted the all-perfect cha- 18 KEY TO VIVIAN GREY. peau. Like all Von Aslingen's introductions, it was as re- markable for good taste as for striking singularity ; they had no doubt it would have a great run ; exactly the style of thing for a hot autumn, and it suited so admirably with the claret- coloured riding coat, which Madame considered Von Asling- en's chef-d'cEuvre. Inimitable Von Aslingen ! As they were in these raptures, to Vivian's great delight, and to their great dismay, the object of their admiration appeared. Our hero was, of course, anxious to see so interesting a character ; but he could scarcely believe that he, in fact, beheld the ingenious introducer of white and crimson hats, and the still happier in- ventor of those chef-d'oeuvres, claret-coloured riding coats, when his attention was directed to a horseman who wore a peculiarly high, heavy, black hat, and a frogged and furred frock, buttoned up, although it was a most sultry day, to his very nose. How singular is the slavery of fashion ! Not- withstanding their mortification, the unexpected costume of Von Aslingen appeared only to increase the young lords' ad- miration of his character and accomplishments ; and instead of feeling that he was an insolent pretender, whose fame ori- ginated in his insulting their tastes, and existed only by their sufferance, all cantered away with the determination of wear- ing on the next day, even if it were to cost them each a ca- lenture, furs enough to keep a man warm during a winter party at St. Petersburg." A BLUE OF HIGH FASHION. "Madame Carolina was in appearance Parisian of the high- est order. I am not in a humour for a laboured description, at which very probably few will grieve. The phrase I have used will enable the judicious reader to conceive all that is necessary. * Parisian of the highest order,' — that is to say, an exquisite figure and an indescribable tournure, an invisible foot, a countenance full of esprit and intelligence, without a single regular feature, and large and very bright black eyes. Madame's hair was of the same colour, and arranged in the most effective manner. Her Cachemere would have graced the Feast of Roses, and so engrossed your attention, that it was long before you observed the rest of her costume, in which, however, traces of a creative genius were immediately visible : in short, Madame Carolina was not fashionable, but Fashion herself. In a subsequent chapter, at a ball which I liave in preparation, I will make up for this brief notice by publishing her Court-dress. For the sake of my fair readers, however, I will not pass over the ornament in her hair. The comb which supported her elaborate curls was invisible, ex- cept at each end, whence it threw out a large Psyche's wing of the finest golden web, the eyes of which v/ere formed of KEY TO VIVIAN GREi'. 19 precious garnets encircled with turquoises. Let Mr. Hamlet immediately introduce this ornament, and make his fortune by the * Carolina comb.' "The royal party made a progress round the circle, to which the late lamented Mr. Nichols could have done more justice than myself Madame Carolina first presented her delicate and faintly -rouged cheek to the hump-backed Crown- Prince, who did not raise his eyes from the ground as he per- formed the accustomed courtesy. One or two royal relatives, who were on a visit to the palace, were honoured by the same compliment. The Grand Duke bowed in the most gra- cious and graceful manner to every individual ; and his lady accompanied the bow by a speech, which was at the same time personal and piquant. The first great duty of a monarch is to know how to bow skilfully ! nothing is more diffiuclt, and nothing more important. A royal bow may often quell a rebellion, and sometimes crush a conspiracy. It should, at the same time, be both general and individual ; equally addressed to the company assembled, and to every single person in the assembly. Our own king bows to perfection. His bow is eloquent, and will always render an oration on his part per- fectly unnecessary ; which is a great point, for harangues are not regal. Nothing is more undignified than to make a speech. It is from the first an acknowledgment that you are under the necessity of explaining, or conciliating, or convincing, or con- fuiing ; in short, that you are not omnipotent, but opposed. Every charlatan is an orator, and almost every orator a char- latan. But I never knew a quack, or an adventurer, who could bow well. It requires a dignity which can only result from a consciousness of high breeding, or a high moral cha- racter. The last cause, of course, will never inspire the char- latan ; and as for the first, I never met a scoundrel, however exalted his situation, who in his manners was a perfect high- bred gentleman. He is either ridiculously stiff, pompous, and arrogant, or his base countenance is ever gilt by an insidious, cunning, conciliatory smile ; which either is intended to take you in, or, if habitual, seems to imply, • W^hat a confounded clever fellow I am ; how I understand human nature ; how skilfully I adapt myself to the humours of mankind ; how I sneak with a smile into their bosoms !* Miserable knaves ! these fellows are invariably overbearing and tyrannical to their inferiors. They pass their mornings in cringing to a minister, and then go home and bully their butler. *♦ Madame Cauohxa held her soiree in her own private apartments; the Grand Duke himself appearing in the capa- city of a visitor. The company was very numerous, and very brilliant. His Royal Highness, surrounded by a select circle, dignified one corner of the saloon : Madame Carolina at the 20 KEY TO VIVIAN GREY. other end of the room, in the midst of poets, philosophers, and politicians, in turn decided npon the most interesting and important topics of^poetry, philosophy, and politics. Boston, and Zwicken, and Whist interested some, and Puzzles, and other ingenious games, others. A few were above conversing, or gambling, or guessing ; superior intelligences who would neither be interested, nor amused; — among these, Emilius von Aslingen was most prominent; he leant against a door, in full uniform, with his vacant eyes fixed on no object. The others were only awkward copies of an easy origmal ; and among these, stiff or stretching, lounging on a chaise-longue, or posted against the wall, Vivian's quick eye recognized more than one of the unhappy votaries of white hats lined with crimson. " Mr. Sievers had not left Vivian more than a minute, when the little Prince Maximilian came up, and bowed to him in a very condescending manner. Our hero, who had not yet had an opportunity of speaking with him, thanked him cordially for his handsome present, and asked him how he liked the Court. " ' Oh delightful ! I pass all my time with the Grand Duke and Madame:' and here the young apostate settled his mili- tary stock, and ari'anged the girdle of his sword. ' Madame Carolina,' continued he, ' has commanded me to inform you, that she dt;sires the pleasure of your attendance.' "The summons was immediately obeyed; and Vivian had the honour of a very long conversation with the interesting Consort of the Grand Duke. He was, for a considerable time, complimented by her enthusiastic panegyric of Eng- land ; her original ideas of the character and genius of Lord Byron; her veneration for Sir Humphrey Davy, and her ad- miration of Sir Walter Scott. Not remiss was Vivian in paying in his happiest manner, due compliments to the fair and ro3'ai authoress of the Court of Charlemagne. While she spoke his native tongue, he admired her accurate English ; and while she professed to have derived her imperfect knowledge of his perfect language from a study of its best authors, she avowed her belief of the impossibility of ever speaking it cor- rectly, without the assistance of a native. Conversation be- came more interesting. Madame Carolina lamented Vivian's indisposition, and fearing that he had not been properly at- tended, she insisted on his seeing the Court physician It was in vain lie protested that he was quite well. She, convinced by his looks, insisted upon sending Dr. von Spittergen to him the next morning. " When Vivian left the palace, he was not unmindful of an engagement to return tliere the next day, to give a first lesson in English pronunciation to Madame CaroUna." KEY TO VIVIAN GllEY. 21 We cannot make room for the diverting scenes in which the eccentric Dr. Splttergen and the editor of the Attack-all Review, figure ; but must proceed at once to our "Key." CHARACTERS IN THE SECOND PART OF VIVIAN GREY. Disguised Names. Vivian Grey - - - - JLady Madeleine Trevor Violet Fane - - - - Marquis de la Tabatiere The Russian Archduke Mr. Sherborne - - - Baron Fon Konigstein - Chevalier de Bceuffleurs Prince Salvinski - - Mr. Fit z loom - - - Mr. St. Leger - - - Mr. St. John - - - - Prince of Little Lilliput Grand Duke of Reisen- Bcckendorff - - Madame Carolina The Baroness Mr. Sievers - - Real Names. The Author Lady Charlotte Cam^ibell Hon. Miss F Lord Petersham Prince Fstcrhazy Mr. D'Israeli, Sen. Lord ( )* M. Bochsa Sir Robert Kerr Porter Sir Robert Peel Mr. D — X, late of Christ- churchy Oxford Sir E. J y of Ditto Prince of Saxe Cob our g Gr. Duke of Saxe Wei7nar Met tern ich Lady Holland Her late R. H. the Princess Augusta The late Mr. Gifford * Our fashionable readers will have no difficulty in supply- ing this blank, though we may not print even the initials. Should they require