Page:Autobiography of Rear Admiral Charles Wilkes.djvu/50

24 costume, habited in a chocolate-coloured cloth coat, large steel buttons, satin white vest, black satin breeches, & silk stockings, with shoes & large steel buckles, and a rapier at my side. I was in appearance a very queer-looking chap and felt more so, but as my Godmother insisted upon it I had to consent. I need not say that most of the dress was hired for the occasion except a pair of the Marquis' shoes & buckles, he being a small man & I a large overgrown boy, were found to fit.

We went in true court style and, being under the protection of one of the most beautiful women of the Court, I was introduced as her Godson from America. The Good King said a word or two to me and complemented the Marquise gaily. There was a great crowd; the King was to dine in public and we saw the table with its gold dishes, &c. I did not see the Marquis after I entered & it had been arranged by my Godmother that he was to look out for me. The ladies were separated and I was then in a quandary looking round for the Marquis, but he was not to be seen. I was hemmed in on all sides. Suddenly, the crowd began to move and I was borne along towards one side of the Saloon a mange, separated from the table by a railing, and, as we passed, saw the King & Royal family at their meal, quaffing wine & munching the viands which sundry gentlemen in waiting were serving them to. I felt very much out of place in the costume of a Marquis among the crowd of citizens, and created no small surprise, but I was not crowded and respect shown me. Along we went at a slow walk and finally I found myself in another saloon with a large crowd who had passed. There was, however, no return and I concluded it best for me to make my escape, which I did through two or three saloons and finally down the grand staircase, and there I found a state carriage with open door waiting, into which I entered & told the footman to drive me to the Petite Ecuyer du Roi. He at once shut the door and I was driven to the opposite side of the Square & into the courtyard. I can now feel the relief I experienced at the happy escape I had from Royalty and having given the Coachman a five franc piece, I received his thanks and escaped into the house & was soon disrobed & at ease. Whose carriage it was I know not, but it had served me in good turn and saved me from a walk through the crowd across the Square and no doubt from many a hoot and a laugh at my expense. The Marquis de Cubières returned after the fete was over and such a rating as the poor old man got I cannot venture to detail for losing sight of me, but my American impudence had served to amuse them all greatly. The servants were questioned and reported the vehicle to belong to one of the dignitaries of the court.

I omitted to mention the dilemma I found myself in when I came forth dressed before the assembled family, my gloves were too small & my hands yet bore the sign of the tar bucket, unmistakably, but I was made to pass muster by the adroit fingers of my Godmother and her three daughters [Agláe, Adèle, Julia], who pulled out my lace collar [and] wristbands and made my toilet comme il faut. The Marquis' shoes & buckles were not so easily manageable; they were too large for me, very square toed and the buckles pierced my feet with their sharp