which, in order to conquer, disdains to borrow anything from the imagination, from the refinements of mind, or from all those subtle and studied coquetries which are requisite to impart passion in calmer and more tranquil epochs.
The numerous varieties, and different shades of beauty, are in all times represented among women; but the diverse régimes that govern society only place in the foremost rank those whose beauty, so to say, shows itself to be in perfect accordance with the spirit, with the ideas, it might almost be said with the philosophy, of the time. Thus, under the Empire, an upright, imposing bearing, a Greek outline, a look full of fire, a power of attraction wnich would no more admit of being questioned than the bravery of French warriors, some sense and intelligence,—but an intelligence unclouded by chimeras or vain misgivings, keeping within the circle marked out for it, appreciating only positive things, and preferring in love a sustained heroism to a languishing sentimentality,—such were, in the first years of the century, the principal moral and physical features of the women who were celebrated by their triumphs in salons, as also perhaps by the glory of those who loved them.
The women of the Empire entertained the most tender enthusiasm, the most sympathising weakness for living illustrations of the field of battle; for those brilliant officers whose persons revealed force, vigour, and courage. The Lauzuns of that epoch were so many heroes.
Nevertheless, towards the end of the imperial régime, a new group of women gathered round Queen Hortense, and, taking after her, came under the influence of more refined graces, and more chaste and delicate sensibilities.
A new reign of women was inaugurated with the Restoration. Clever women, with some pretensions to beauty, aristocratic manners, and a simplicity which took uncommonly, shone with great lustre in the salons, where they were surrounded with homages and distinguished by a discreet and reputable celebrity. Lamartine came, and the political, the poetic and literary woman, once more took the lead. It would be necessary to resuscitate the different classes, the different opinions of societies, as at that time constituted, to do justice to all the women that were then met with, distinguished in their own circles and their own little worlds, and who rivalled with one another in charms, in wit, and in emulation.
After the renowned salons of Madame de Montcalm, Madame de Duras, and a few others, which M. de Villemain has lately described, with expressions of deep regret for times now gone by, a whole youthful world might be quoted, who, bursting into bloom under the Restoration, heralded its chief features by a poetic physionomy, a graceful melancholy, and a Christian philosophy.
Who has not seen a young woman with light hair at the balls of Madame the Duchess of Berry, gliding lightly by, scarcely touching the ground, every movement impressed with so much elegance that one was struck with her gracefulness before knowing she was a beauty? Who then recognised the young Marchioness of Castries, and cannot now embody the idea of that youthful, charming, aërial beauty, which was applauded and honoured in the salons of the Restoration? The society of the time, which had been carried away by the sentimental Elvira of the "Méditations," was less terrestrial and less pagan in its tastes than it had been in the time of the Empire. Nevertheless, the grandiose and
