A hairdresser's experience in high life
V) • ^....,%^ ^^-n^. -*- ^^"'-^.c, ^ ,-^ ,0*0 -^o. .-V ^, ^■. 5- •^. 0^ c^ nl °^ ► ^■' 4 V- V>- ' ' //•;< -'VANS' , "^ tT- <' '^_ 0* ^^^ ,0^ > V \^ v^ '.j>s- 'ij;§.\)-'. •u °<)\.. o '■-.''^i^^'-'V' 0 ^^ ..-.. V ■■' ,0^ ..--."^"^ """ v^^' - '■^- A V -^ ^ .f' .^* .^ <?■, <^ <5'' v ^. d^ o ^/ j4(=<, NN * <-. y ^.-^ A HAIRDRESSER'S EXPERIEN Ulli IN HIGH LIFE ^ r/t .'$y£i'*7^ .Cli "^ \-' i? ^ CINCINNATI: PUBLISHED FOR THE AUTHOR. 1859. t/(,. rp^(p iA,~' Entered according to Act of Congress, iu the year 1859, by ELIZA POTTER, Iu the Clerk's Office of ihe District Court of the United States, for the Southern District of Ohio. ^-. THE AUTHOR'S APPEAL. It may perhaps be considered presumptive for one in my humble sphere of life to think of writing a book ; but, influenced by the earnest persuasions of many ladies and gentlemen, I have at last concluded that I might just as well note down a few of my ex- periences for their amusement as not. The unlettered of all ages have numbered in their ranks many with sufficient observation and inteUi- gence to have written more entertaining books than many wliich have emanated from cultivated pens, had they only possessed the courage to tell what they knew in simple, plain language — could they only remember that the mouths of babes and sucklings have, in other days, perfected the praise of the mightiest. Those days may come again. The physician writes his diary, and doubtless his means of discovering the hidden mysteries of life are great. The clergyman, whose calling inspires the deepest confidence, and into whose ear the tales of sorrow are unreservedly breathed, sends forth his diary to an eager world, and other innumerable chroniclers of fireside life have existed ; but the hair- IV THE AUTHOR 8 APPEAL. dresser will yield rivalship to none in this regard. If domestic bitterness and joy, and all the heart- emotions that exist, cannot be discovered by her, she defies all the rest of the world to find them out. My avocation calls me into the upper classes of society almost exclusively ; and there reign as many elements of misery as the world can produce. No one need go into alleys to hunt up wretchedness ; they can find it in perfection among the rich and fashionable of every land and nation. Oh ! if tes- selated hearths and satin tapestries could speak, what tales of agony they might tell ! If the marble statues that adorn the riches of lordly mansions could open their mouths, how would they outrival all poetry and romance in the incidents they could proclaim ! and could the nuptial couch, with its silken hangings, unfold its memories, could we bear to listen to its disclosures ? But nowhere do hearts betray themselves more unguardedly than in the private boudoir, where the hair-dresser's mission makes her a daily attendant. Why, then, should not the hair-dresser write, as well as the physician and clergyman ? She will tell her story in simpler language ; but it will be none the less truthful, none the less strange. A HAIR-DRESSER'S EXPERIENCE IN HIGH LIFE. CHAPTER I. MY DEBUT. I HAVE promised to give yon a sketch of my experi- ences in those walks of life where fate has led me, up to the present time. You will find them somewhat rambling and desultory ; but I beg you will overlook much that you will find a little Tiarum scarum^ con- sidering the humble condition of your narrator, I was brought up in New York, and went out, at an early age, to earn my living, in the service of peo- ple of t07i. For some years, this occupation was agreeable to me; but at length I wearied of it, and being at liberty to choose my own course, I determined to travel, and to gratify my long-cherished desire to see the world — and especially the Western world: so I started as soon as possible toward the setting sun. At Bufi'alo, however, my journey was suddenly arrested by a sort of ceremony called matrimony^ whicli 1 en- tered into very naturally, and became quieted down 12 A hair-dresser's experience under it for a length of time, just as naturally. I have seen other persons do the same thing, and so, I suppose, I need not be ashamed to own having com- mitted a weakness, which has, from the beginning of time, numbered the most respectable of the eartli among its victims. But it matters not how or why, after a season of quiet, or unquiet, just as you please to call it, the desire for roving again took possession of me ; and I determined to visit Canada, before going to Ohio. I therefore proceeded to Queenstown, and there took passage on a steamer for Toronto. I was alone in the world — self-exiled from home and friends, to be sure — but it was not until we were out some distance upon the rolling waters of the lake, that I realized my isolated condition. I sat upon the deck, surrounded by people ; but being a stranger among strangers, I had no claim upon the notice of any one ; and I gazed out, with somewhat saddened feelings, upon the waste of waters before me. My na- ture is sympathetic, however ; and as confusion reigned everywhere upon the boat, 1 soon grew nervous with excitement. Among the passengers was the Governor- General of Canada, with his family and suite, beside many distinguished persons of the Province. They observed my embarrassed manner, and spoke kindly to me ; for which I was extremely grateful, and did not fail to express to them my thanks. But at dinner, these kind people really made me feel uncomfortable : my situation was a novel one; I had never before been associated with those who considered themselves my superiors — at table ; but upon this occasion, I was in- vited to sit and take my meal witli those who, had they been educated in my own country, would have IN HIGH LIFE. 13 indignantly repudiated any such arrangement : and it was not until after repeated solicitations from them, that I consented to take my seat. The whole party was merry and pleasant, and I soon felt at my ease, and not at all like an intruder. Well-bred people per- fectly understand the art of making all comfortable around them, no matter what their color or condition may be. I have observed that parvenu ladies and gentlemen know nothing whatever of this gentle art: born and brought up in coarse atmospheres, refined conduct should never be expected of the'rn. Society is made up of varieties ; but it is easy for the hum- blest servant to distinguish the well-born and highly- bred lady, under the plai7icst garb, from the parvenu woman, whose sudden good luck and well-filled purse dresses her in lace, seats her in a carriage, and places her in circles where she is more endured than courted. The table was loaded with every luxury ; but the excitement occasioned by the novelty of my position deprived me of appetite. I was entirely unfamiliar with table etiquette, and felt conscious of looking awkward and embarrassed ; but the kind ladies and gentlemen, understanding the nature of my discom- fort, spared no pains to put me at my ease. On sped the vessel, with its precious freight of hu- man life, each heart beating quicker as the distance from land, and home, and friends was shortened by the revolutions of the mighty wheels. How much of the happiness of this world is comprised in such an- ticipated meetings! and how miserable they must be who know nothing of such joys as these ! * Before we touched the shores of Toronto I felt per- fectly at home among my new-found friends. They 14 A hair-dressee's experience had descended from their high position to be civil and agreeable to the humble stranger, and from my heart I shall hless and pray for them to the end of my days. Their gentle treatment will never be forgotten, and I hope the eyes of these dear people may some day meet this poor tribute to their kindness and worth. At Toronto I was welcomed by my own relatives and their numerous friends and acquaintances, and received many invitations to balls, parties and social gatherings. After mingling in these gay assemblies for some weeks, I felt strongly inclined to identify my- self with the English soil. Still I resisted the im- pulse. Thinking it was time to leave pleasure for something more important, I again returned to Buf- falo, where there was no attraction to detain me for even a moment. As my husband had already pre- ceded me to the West, I therefore hastened to Pitts- burg by stage route, which was not without its inci- dents. Those who have traveled in those primitive days, before the invention of railroads, will readily re- cognize the truth of many discomforts which I might here relate, but for the fear of fatiguing the indulgent reader, w^ho is about to follow my footsteps over land, ocean and prairie. We broke down innumerable times in the dismal recesses of the forests, were shel- tered and fed by the kind Samaritans who inhabited the wilderness, where snow and ice-clothed field and dell, and where Winter seemed too firmly established ever again to yield to Spring's soft influences. The day was dark and dreary upon our arrival at Pittsburg, Smoke hung like a pall over town and country, and but for the sociability and hospitality that reigns within doors, Pittsburg would be the gloomiest IN HIGH LIFE. 15 of places. I could dwell for pages upon this theme; but the steam is up, I am seated upon the deck of the " David Marshall," and to the cloud-enveloped city and its heart-lighted homes I must bid farewell, and wend my way down the beautiful Ohio. Lovely river! how I turn to thee, as to an old, pleasant friend, upon whose bosom I have laughed and wept, thinking my joys and sorrows over and over again. Our boat pro- ceeded slowly, in consequence of the floating ice, and at Wheeling we were obliged to cast anchor for days and days. Here, though the passengers resorted to many means for beguiling the hours, the time dragged, and the morning of our departure was one of joy to all on board. The weather had softened, and earth and sky were clad with a serenity I can not describe. The ice floated thinly upon the waters, and the boat- men sang cheerily as we glided over the moonlit and sunlit waves. Buoyant and happy were the hearts of all upon the deck and in the cabin. The outward and the homeward-bound seemed equally ex- cited by some bright hope. The number of our pas- sengers had increased. Among the new ones was a negro trader^ whose name was W. ; he had with him a number of unfortunate beings in chains and shackles. They were destined for the Southern market^ and were all conlined, with the exception of one — a good-look- ing, well-formed girl, for whom he had obtained a cahin passage^ and who was treated better than her unfortunate companions. Why ? Because the trader doomed her to ignominy. He knew he would bo paid for liis trouble and expense. She had beauty enough to arouse the lase hist of some Southern buyer. I ob- jected to sit at table with her — not through any feel- 16 A hair-dresser's experience ing of superiority on my part toward the girl, but I thought if she came to that table her companions on the lower deck ought to have the same privilege — and it grieved me to contemplate the cause of the distinc- tion shown between those who had been equally bought, and were alike to be sold. My objection caused some disturbance, and considerable discussion arose in regard to it among the passengers, Mr. W. was highly indignant that / should have questioned his right to treat his goods and cliattles as he pleased. Those of the passengers who were opposed to the sys- tem came to my aid, and Mr. W., not possessing ar- guments sufficient to silence me, thought his best plan was to brow-beat me, and called me a meddler, an abolitionist, and many other such names. Not noticing these epithets, 1 pursued my way untroubled by anything he could say. On my arrival in Cincinnati, I obtained a situation as lady's maid, in the family of Mr. W.,whose wife was the beautiful and accomplished daughter of Major O,, of Kentucky, they were then stopping, temporarily, at the "Broadway Hotel," About a week after I had been with them, I had the pleasure of witnessing the distress of a Louisville lady, consequent upon the sudden disap- pearance of a beautiful slave girl, whom she had brought with her for a few day's stay in the Queen City. This girl was fairer and inore lovely than her mistress, and despising the low servitude which op- pressed her, it was scarcely to be wondered at, that, finding herself on free soil, she should seize the first opportunity to escape from it. She was sent out one morning to make purchases, and never returned, but found a happy home, 1 trust, on English soil. The IN HIGH LIFE. 17 lady related to me her loss and grivances, but, as I could not recognize the right of one human heing to own another^ I did not sympathize with her in the least. Shortly after this, Mrs. W. visited Louisville, and I accompanied her as child's nurse. We stopped at the Louisville Hotel, where it happened that the brother of the missing slave, of whom I have just spoken, was employed as a servant. This brother the lady had publicly threatened to sell unless the girl should produce herself. I saw him — pitied him, and had some conversation with him, during which he told me a sad story of suffering, and asked me, in imploring accents, if I knew of a spot on this wide earth, where he could be free? 1 frankly told him all I knew of Canada. I informed him how he could reach there ; and yet I trembled for his youth and inexperi- ence in a strange country, and a doubt rose in my mind, as to whether I had been his friend, or his enemy, in thus directing his footsteps to a new world and a new home. Future accounts of him, however, set my heart at rest upon this point, and on my knees I thanked God that I had been the humble means of un- loosing the shackles of one upright and manly soul. His owners pursued him, but he was beyond their reach, and I was pounced upon by them, after having returned to Cincinnati, and arrested as accessory to the deed. When the officers came for me, 1 was alone with the baby, and refused accompanying them until Mrs. W.'s return, to which determination they reluct- antly assented. I also refused riding to the place of justice in a carriage which they had provided for the purpose, which very much disconcerted plans on foot 18 A haib-deesser's experience in my behalf, as they intended, doubtless, conveying me to Kentucky, where I should, probably, in the ex- citement of the moment, have been severely handled. At the court of justice, I was questioned, with great minuteness, as to my complicity in this affair, which was now creating a wonderful stir in the sister cities. I did not deny giving the boy all the information I possessed upon the subject, and for this, I was sen- tenced to be tried before the bar of my country. Be- fore the bar of God, I know well how such a trial would terminate, but in presence of human justice, I could not so easily decide the matter. At the expi- ration of three days, during which time I was under bail, given by Mr. W., I was delivered over to Ken- tuckians, notwithstanding the opinions to the con- trary of Judges Spencer, Starr, Storer, and other dis- tinguished lawyers. Thousands of persons followed me to the ferry-boat, which was to convey me across the Ohio River — some in sorrow and some in joy ; all believing that I had made my final exit from Cincinnati — which, however, as the reader will see, was a mistake. It is many years since those dark events transpired, and yet, under my own vine and fig tree, in the very heart of that same populous city, am I now, endeavor- ing to recall to myself, and those who may honor me with a perusal, some few of the strange incidents of my life. " I was placed in the jail of Newport, where I re- mained three days, without experiencing any very great discomfort, owing to the kind and sympathizing attentions of the jailor, whom I have always thanked, from my inmost heart, for a jail is not a place to bo coveted under the best of circumstances. I was then IN IllOri LIFE. 19 removed to Louisville, where 1 was for three months a prisoner, and this for doinoj what I conscientiously felt to be a Christian deed. Here every persuasion was resorted to, to induce me to confess having com- mitted a wrong. Then I was threatened, and told that I should be tried with Jones and Leavitt, tlie murderers ; but, like Job, I adhered to my integrity to the last, preferring to be tried with, and die with (if necessary), those who had killed the body, rather than shrink from owning that I had boldly aided in rescuing the soul of an oppressed fellow-being, I said in reply to those who examined me, that I recognized no crime in what I had done — meant none. My speech to the court resulted in my acquittal, and I was permitted to go free ever afterward, in both free and slave states. After these things, I sojourned awhile in Madison, Indiana, in the family of Mr. W., whose wife was the daughter of Mr. L,, of Baltimore, well known from his interest in the colonization cause. But Madison was too quiet a town for me, and I returned to the Queen City, where I was fortunate enough to obtain a situation in the family of Mr. N. L., as nurse to a fa- vorite grandchild, and son of Mrs. A. This dear lady I can not thank too much for her kind advice on many a serious occasion. I had a fiery temper, and she taught me to control it to a degree astonishing even to myself. Of my little charge, I was very fond ; and am as proud now of the grown young gentleman, whose little feet I trained to walking, and whose lips I taught to lisp many a childish sentence. In this family, the cook and myself fell to open war. 20 A HAIR-DEESSER S EXPERIENCE and I left. After this I obtained a situation in the family of Mr. G., our recent member of Congress ; and the little baby girl I nursed thei-'e^ is now in the full blush of early womanhood, whom none can behold but with admiration and respect ; and when I see her floating along, with the dignity, grace, and ease of a sylph, upon the street and in the drawing-rooms, I can scarcely realize that it was I who taught her, in her hdbyhood^ to walk. But, as I had rather a vaga- bond disposition, and loved change, I, soon after this, left the service of this pleasant family, and engaged again as child nurse to a sister of this lady, who was soon to embark with her husband and fomily for Eu- rope— he having been partially promised a foreign APPOINTMENT by General Harrison, who had just en- tered upon his office. ThQ paternals on both sides of my new employers were judges, in high position, and possessed much public influence. Having accomplished the ceremony of obtaining passports in Washington City, we sailed from New York in February on the " Louis Fiiillippe," and had a rough passage of twenty -four days across the ocean. A storm, which lasted forty-eight hours, drove us into the Bay of Biscay. The passengers were all fearfully alarmed, and gathered themselves together in groups in the cabin to die together, if such must be their fate. But our vessel weathered the gale, while many otluM-.s sank beneath it, to be heard from no more till the sea shall give up its dead. On the twenty-tburth day " Land ho! " was shouted from the mast-head, and in a few hours more our feet touched the soil of France. It was night when we arrived in Paris, where all IN HIGH LIFE. 21 looked gay, brilliant and strange. At the gates of the city our baggage was examined, according to cus- tom, and we proceeded to the Maurice Hotel, the ren- dezvous of nobility and fashionable travelers. We were all glad to take an early sleep; but morning usually opens the eyes of the most fatigued sleepers, and a natural desire to take a peep at the strange world I had landed in, roused me earlier than usual from my slumbers. I dressed myself and my little responsibility in donble-quick time, and we sauntered forth into the area of the hotel to see how things looked. Order prevailed everywhere. All the world seemed to be doing just what it ought to do, and to have just enough time for its duties, and no more. We did not venture into the streets far, but nevertheless returned laden with news of the little which had already en- gaged our attention. The next day the American Minister to France called with his daughters upon my lady and gentle- man. The young ladies were perfectly French in manner and accent^ very agreeable, and altogether pleasing. In a few days more, through the polite in- vitation of General Cass, we found ourselves inmates of his own delightful residence, where, the servants being all French, it was with difficulty I could make myself at home among them. Gradually, however, I acquired a sufficient knowledge of the language to understand what was going on around me, and to make myself understood. They were very kind to me, and I accompanied them to church on Sabbath mornings, where, instead of pews, chairs are made use of, for which each occupant pays a few sous. The 22 A hair-dresser's experience Sabbath evening church in France is generally a hall^ which startled me a little at first ; but it is astonishing how naturally we fall into the tastes and customs of people with whom we are for the time associated. I was miserable at first about it, and very much con- science-stricken at this innovation upon my usual American habits ; but finally, / regret to say, I be- came as French as the rest of them, and dancing on the Sabbath evening, after the day had been spent in strict observance of religious duty, no longer offended my notions of propriety. But the older I grow, and the more I see the necessity of devoting one entire day in the seven to the service of God, the more I wonder that I could ever have been so misguided. Day after day my little charge and I wandered up and down the Champs Elysees and in the Tuilleries gardens, admiring French sights and delighted with foreign objects. The shop windows upon the Boule- vards often claimed our attention, and hour after hour, upon our return home, would we rehearse the events of our promenades. Our visit to the hospitable home of General Cass having expired, my lady and gentleman took private apartments, where we remained a short time, acquir- ing every day more knowledge of the French lan- guage, and becoming hourly more accustomed to French observances ; but at length Mr. , wish- ing to have all in fitting style upon the arrival of his appointinent, took a private house, and set up his carriage, horses and servants in livery. The carriage my little responsibility and myself usually had the ad- vantage of while my lady was making her toilette for visiting or the promenade, and everything went on IN HIGH LIFE. 23 charmingly until news arrived that Mr. would not receive his anticipated appointment^ it having heen given to another. This was a damper to iis all, inasmuch as the vexation of his disappointment did not fail to evince itself in the bearing of my gentleman, upon every occasion and to every per- son. About this time the baptism of the Count of Paris took place, a ceremony I determined to witness., though my gentleman, on leaving home with my lady to be present at it, peremptorily ordered me not to absent myself from the premises during his absence ; but through the kindness of an English lady, living in adjacent appartments, who had sprained her ancle, and could net go, I was provided with tickets which secured to myself and little responsibility a window commanding a fine view of the entire procession and paraphernalia of the occasion. Such a scene of splendor I never expected to see, and suppose I never shall witness anything so grand again. On reaching home I found my lady quite pleased that I and the child had enjoyed the scene, but her husband was boiling over with wrathful emotions at my disobedience. He never seemed to recognize that /had any right to amuse myself or to be happy upon any occasion ; but for this I invariably cared precious little, though I never per- mitted myself to behave toward him as perhaps he de- served, in consequence of the high regard and esteem I bore my lady, who possessed a noble, unselfish dispo- sition, and always treated me with the greatest kindness. Subsequent to this event we removed to a house in Versailles, overlooking the gardens of the Frianon Palace, which was formerly occupied by a favorite 2 24 A hair-dkessek's experience mistress of Louis Qaatorze. To these gardens my lady had free access at all times. It would be impossible for my feeble pen to de- scribe the beauty of the environs of the Palaces of Ver- sailles. The gravel walks, innumerable fountains, jct-d'eaux^ over-arching trees, and velvet lawns, are only things I can name as existing there, without pos- sessing the power even to describe the emotions they occasioned me; and beside, they have been so fre- quently pictured by less humble historians than my- self, that I can not presume to say more than that I saw, admired, and enjoyed them through many a long and idle day. As I have said before, my lady \w» K.ni aiul in- dulgent to me at all times. Three days in the week we were permitted to stroll through the palaces and gardens; and if my little charge were living to-day, her memory would be filled with bright visions of those pleasant times. But, both mother and daughter now sleep side by side, in Death's cold embrace. Peace to their ashes! I enjoyed nothing move, in visiting the parks and other |)ublic places, than tiie splendid music, ijlayed by bands employed at government expense, to amuse and enliven the people. It was very pleasant to saun- ter about, and sit upon the rustic seats beneath the trees, and be regaled by the inspiring sounds, as they floated over the scene. Such hours as these, I fear, will never come again: but, at least, they will ever be pleasant memories. It was curious to see and hear the people wonder who I was, and what country or nation 1 had come from, as I strolled through the parks, palaces and IN HIGH LIFE. 25 promenades, with my little responsibility by my side. She was very beautiful, and attracted the attention of every one, as her little lips first began to lisp the for- eign tongue; and her mother, whom she greatly re- sembled, Was the most admired American lady in Paris at that time. I acquired the French language with a good deal of facility, and was not long learning to understand re- marks made of myself and the child, as we passed along. I can not forbear mentioning a pleasant com- pliment paid to me, on my birth -day, by some very kind ladies. By a little stratagem, 1 was sent away by my lady, in the morning, upon an errand to Gen- eral Cass' residence, quite a distance from home; so that I had necessarily to be gone an hour or two. On my return, I found my bedroom, which was always shared by my little charge, literally decorated, from floor to ceiling, with flowers. The bed and window curtains were looped up, and festooned with roses, carnations, peonies, jessamines, and every flower that adorned the gardens at that lovely season : white lilies hung in garlands over the bed curtains of my little charge ; and in the center of the room stood a table, covered with cakes, wines, ices, and fruits. Not dreaming of the pleasant intentions of my friends in sending me away, I thought, on returning, that I must have mistaken my apartment, and so wandered in and out, puzzled as to the meaning of the transmogrifica- tion, until informed that it had been done in honor of my birth-day — a time-long and beautiful custom of France. It will be readily imagined that I was made happy and grateful by these kind attentions. The ladies wished a happy birth-day to langy ; and many 26 A hair-dresser's experience valets and bonnes came to pass the evening with me. My lady enjoyed the scene very heartily, and was not in the least deterred from expressing her satisfaction even by the furious scowls of her husband, who was averse to all comfort and contentment except his own. The company did not break up until a late hour ; and altogether, it was one of the happiest events of my life. Not long after this, I had a dispute with Mr. about my wages. When we left America, he agreed to pay me two dollars per week. Havino: spent all the money I brought with me, I one day asked him for the amount due me. He refused to give it to me, saying I need never expect to get any more from him than Paris wages. I was very indignant, and told him, in very plain words, what I thought of his con- duct. Of course, after this scene, I left the gentle- man's service. I was sick of France, and longed for home ; but did not yet leave Paris. I entered the service of the Countess M., as maid to herself, daughter, and young son, about ten years of age. A few weeks of leisure before going into this family, however, gave me an opportunity of enjoying many of the amusements of Paris — concerts, balls, hippodromes, theaters, operas, and fetes champetre^ without number. No people love this latter amusement more than the French. I became very fond of it, and always regretted when I could not attend one. On one occasion particu- larly, I lamented being deprived (by arriving too late for the cars) attending a splendid fete champetre at Versailles : but it was well I did not go, as the whole train, by an accident, was destroyed by fire, and all IN HIGH LIFE. 27 the passengers were either burnt or disfigured for life. This determined me never again to deplore any disap- pointment too bitterly. I saw more in France than Americans of the high- est position see generally. I had made up my mind to confront every difficulty in sight-seeing, and I shall never regret having done so, for it has given rae many a pleasant hour and thought since. At the Countess M.'s I was very pleasantly situ- ated, but found it necessary, in the service of a fash- ionable lady and her daughters, to understand hair- dressing ; so I improved the hours occupied by M'lle M.'s music lessons by taking lessons in this art of one of the best hair-dressers in Paris. Lady M. and her family had determined to go to England, and I was to have gone with them, but their time of leaving was so indefinite, and I became so weary of my monotonous duties, that 1 concluded to quit my place and learn the art of flower-making. In this I succeeded pretty well, though 1 soon grew tired of it, and thought I should like dress-making; but, after a short trial, finding that did not suit me, I took a notion to learn cooking, but soon gave that also up. Nothing but hair-dressing pleased my fancy for any length of time. With amusements, alms-giving, and learning the fine arts I have mentioned, my money was at length exhausted; and learning that M'lle M. was ready to start for England, I made arrangements to go with her, and, bidding farewell to La Belle Fiance, started across the channel. 28 A haik-dkessek's experience CHAPTER 11. ENGLAND. We arrived in London on the morning Prince Albert was to lay the corner-stone of the Royal Exchange. There was a crush of people in the streets ; but as I was determined to see the procession and other grand doings, I rushed after the crowd, and in the course of of the day lost my way and lost my reticule, contain- ing the card of my hotel ; consequently, when all was over, and I had been sorely disappointed in not seeing the queen as well as Prince Albert, I knew no more where my lodgings were than the man in the moon. Whether 1 had come from the East, West, North, or South End, I could tell no one. The day was in- tensely cold, and I was fearfully hungry, but where to go I did not know. At length some kind ladies and gentlemen saw my perplexity, and interested them- selves in my behalf. They even descended from their carriage, and offered to take me to their home, and shelter me until by some means or other they could find out where I had wandered from. Every sort of question was put to me about the appearance of my hotel, and at last a clue was obtained to it by my re- membering a statue of Queen Elizabeth somewhere in its vicinity, by which it was conjectured by one of the gentlemen that it must be tlie ''Hotel de Paris." IN HIGH LIFE. 29 I was immediately driven there, and found, sure enough, by the welcome I received from my young lady and others that the conjecture was right. Sev- eral people had been sent out to look for me to no purpose, and, on thanking the gentleman for his kind- ness in bringing me home, 1 cried with a joy 1 never felt before, and wondered what rich or grand person in America would have done so charitable an act. 1 was overwhelmed with gratitude, and flew about like a big crazy child, crying and laughing alternately for hours afterward. I had never heard of London fogs, and the next morning when I awoke the sun looked so red and glaring through the dense smoke that I thought the Judgment Day had certainly come; but it was not the Judgment Day at all — it was only a London day. My morning duties to my lady over, I sat down and laughed heartily over the events of the day previous. They were queer enough. After a short stay in London, M'Ue M. returned to France, taking with her, as she had intended, an English maid; Before her departure 1 had become acquainted with a Mrs. E.., who very kindly interested herself in getting a situation for me. During the next week I had a great many offers of places. One wished me to go as maid ; another as chambei^-maid ; some wanted one thing, some another; but none of the places suited me, and I did not accept any of them. However, at length a family named S., from Snares- brook, Essex county, engaged me as child's nur^e. As they did not want me for a month, I made the most of the interval in sight-seeing. I went to Windsor; saw a good deal of the palace ; attended St. raul's 30 A nAIR-DRESSER's KXrEKIENCE Cliurch ; saw the baptism of tliu Prince of Wales ; caught a glimpse of the Emperor Nicholas of Russia ; witnessed a grand illumination, in the midst of which, hearing of the death of the Duke of Orleans, 1 posted off immediately to Paris, to see the funeral cere- monies — stayed two weeks in France, enjoying my- self as much as possible, going wherever I pleased, feeling perfectly independent of everybody. I was tempted at one time to engage myself for the winter as ladies' maid in the family of a distinguished phy- sician, but refused, not wishing to break my promise to the English family. I staid, however, in Paris till my money was all gone, and only raised the means to get back to England by pledging my watch and other trinkets, which was my first and last transaction of this kind. But I knew that without money I should soon be without friends, for in France and England I had seen this fact exemplified, in many painful in- stances, among the high-born as well as the low. I have seen those who seemed to have plenty of means caressed and made much of to-day, and cast off to-morrow, when their means were gone. " Bet- ter be born lucky than rich ; " for riches often take to themselves wings, but something always seems to turn up just in the right time for the lucky. I trav- eled once, however, with an individual who seeined neither to have been born lucky nor rich. She and I chanced to be in the same diligence from Paris to B., where she was engaged as governess in the family of Count R. — an engagement which had taken place by letters simply, neither of the parties ever having met each other. Upon the occasion I speak of, she was on her way to the residence of the count. Iler man- IN HIGH LIFE. 31 tiers were haughty and proud, and I saw at once that she was a jparvenu woman^ though I did not then know what I afterward learned of her. We stopped about thirty miles from Paris for dinner. It was customary for the outside passengers of a dili- gence to eat in one apartment, and those inside in another of a little better caste. Among the outside travelers was a well-dressed, gentlemanly-appearing man, who had evidently taken his place there to en- joy the pure air and fine views. He came in, in a quiet way, to the inside passengers' table. When he seated himself at the table, ihQ parvenu woman, look- ing very indignant, called to the landlord, and asked if there were not regulations prohibiting outside pas- sengers from eating at that table. He replied that such were the rules. She then said she wished he would enforce them, and pointing to the gentlemanly- looking aggressor, requested that he should be or- dered from the table. Without speaking a word, the gentleman arose and walked with the landlord into the inferior dining-room. Having finished our meal, we again started on our course. After traveling for a few hours across a very beautiful country, the diligence stopped at a magnifi- cent chateau. The beauty of this place attracted the admiration of all ; it was surrounded by grand forest trees, and the grounds were adorned with the most exquisite taste. It was evident such an abode must bo the dwelling of persons of rank and wealth. Soon a fine looking lady, accompanied by four lovely chil- dren and several servants, were seen approaching the gate, with their eyes fixed upon the top of the dili- gence, from which Count R., in the shape of the ver- 3 32 A hair-dkessek's experience itable gentleman whom his engaged governess had ejected from the superior dining apartment, alighted to meet bis family, from whom he had been absent for a few weeks. It was with great delight that all the passengers saw the discomfited looks of the governess when she discovered that the despised outside passen- ger was the Count R. The diligence started immedi- ately, 60 that w^e had no opportunity to hear what was said ; but I afterward, learned that the governess was politely invited into the house, shown into handsome apartments, and treated with extreme kindness for the night. The next morning the countess paid her a month's wages and dismissed her. So much for that 'parvenu woman ! ESSEX COUNTY. Upon my arrival in England, I went immediately to Essex county, and commenced my duties with the S. family. The child assigned to my charge was not as bright as most children of his age, but nevertheless I became very much attached to him. I made up my mind to love him, and devoted to him my whole at- tention. 