Life of Henriette Sontag, Countess de Rossi Part 5

SHE came here as the wife of the Sardinian Minister to the Court of St.

Petersburg, preceded by her fame as a singer. Courtly etiquette was dying of curiosity to hear the _prima donna_, yet refrained her stately steps under the imperial nod of the all-powerful Czar. Could she? would she? ought she to sing? These were the questions. If the Emperor thought right to ask her to sing, would the King of Sardinia think proper to allow her to sing? At length one point was decided. There was a grand _fete_ at the winter palace, and the newly arrived amba.s.sadress was invited; this was positive. Then from _salon_ to _salon_ flew the intelligence that the Czar had asked the Countess Rossi to sing--that Nesselrode had decided that, without infringing the dignity of the _corps diplomatique_, an amba.s.sadress _might_ sing; and, finally, that his majesty of Sardinia, being consulted, had graciously accorded permission; and, consequently, her Excellency Madame La Comtesse Rossi would prove to the whole court, a.s.sembled at the winter palace, that besides being the most lovely, graceful, and amiable of women, the Sardinian amba.s.sadress was also the greatest artist of the day. And so it was, my dear ----, that the beautiful and melodious voice was revealed to us in all its showers and cascades of brilliant notes--taking the ear captive, until we all regretted the rank in which fate had placed such a wonder, condemning it to comparative silence. The emperor was entranced.

After the concert, offering his arm to his lovely and gifted guest, he promenaded with her through the saloons, presenting her to all the great people; and the next day the empress invited the countess to join her private circle, and to dine with her _en famille_. It is said that the empress is even more charmed with the sweet and gentle manners of Madame Rossi, than she was with all her surpa.s.sing talents.

"THE MOST BRILLIANT PRODUCTION SINCE JANE EYRE."--Lit. Gazette.

Price 25 cents.

THE HEIRS

OF

RANDOLPH ABBEY.

A NOVEL.

[_From the Dublin University Magazine; edited by_ CHARLES LEVER.]

Notices of the First Edition.

"The publication of this novel was commenced in the _International Magazine_, and the portion which there appeared was so much admired by readers, that there was a general expression of regret that it had not been completed before the _International_ was discontinued. It has been reprinted from the _Dublin University Magazine_, edited by CHARLES LEVER; and although the author's name is not mentioned, we judge from its powerful delineation of human character and pa.s.sions, that it has not been attributed erroneously to a popular writer. There have been few works of fiction published of late years that can be deemed superior.--_Commercial Advertiser._

"In skilfulness of plot, vividness of portraiture, and expressiveness of style, it has not been exceeded by any novel of the season."--_Courier & Enquirer._

"It is the ablest and most poweful fiction of the day."--_Daily Times._

"This work has created a profound sensation, and would seem to mark the commencement of a new and brilliant career in the world of romantic fiction equal to that of SCOTT himself. We have never read a more vivid or powerful work in this school of writing."--_Morn. Star._

"We have seldom read a work of fiction more thrillingly wrought out than this. It is a tale which excites, by its fearful incidents, and enchains by its continuous and sustained power; while the vivid portraitures of individual character are worthy of d.i.c.kENS or BULWER."--_Home Journal._

NEW-YORK: STRINGER & TOWNSEND, 222 BROADWAY.

1852.