The idler in France

by Blessington, Marguerite

• ISBN13: 9781108045117
• ISBN10: 1108045111
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2012-03-22
• Publisher: Cambridge Univ Pr

Summary

Marguerite Gardiner, Countess of Blessington (1789-1849), was famous for her charm, wit, and beauty, the latter reflected in Sir Thomas Lawrence's famous portrait of her in 1822. Blessington had an unhappy childhood, and was forced into her first marriage at the age of fourteen, but had developed a love of reading and story-telling. With her second husband Charles John Gardiner, first Earl of Blessington, she lived for several years in France and Italy. In this work, originally published in two volumes in 1841, the author describes her impressions of nature, people and daily life in different French localities (Nimes, Arles, St Rémy) with enthusiasm and good humour. Blessington writes especially about Paris, her permanent residence during 1828-30, describing the world of the British expatriate community as well as the cultural life and recent political upheavals which had brought Louis-Philippe to the throne.

Table of Contents

Nismes

Town of Arles

St. Rémy

Lyons

Paris. Fatiguing journey

Custom of letting out furniture

Domestic arrangements

Charles Kemble

Lord and Lady Stuart de Rothesay

The celebrated Dr P.

Groups of children in the gardens of the Luxembourg

The Marquise de Pouleprie

Visit to the Hôtel d'Orsay

Comte Charles de Mornay

Consequences of the Revolution in France

Paris. Approach of Spring

Romantic feelings of Lady C.

Victor Hugo's Derniers Jours d'un Condamné

A new residence

Unexpected events

Mr. Rogers and Mr. Luttrell

Effects of indisposition

The dead paraded through the streets to inflame the populace

Familiarity of French servants

Sanctuary of home

Rumour relative to the son of Napoleon

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