Celebrities of London and Paris ; being a third series of reminiscences of the Camp, Court, and the Clubs : including a correct account of the Coup d'Etat

As in conversational groups one story suggests another, some modest anecdotes may become the parents of a numerous progeny, though the offspring may not all prove equally interesting or amusing, and some may even be born lame; so this THIRD Volume of my "Recollections" is to be attributed to the conversational philoprogenitiveness of friendly gossip.I cannot help fearing, that amongst my numerous anecdotal progeny there may be some abortions; for it often happens that what is interesting or amusing to ourselves from association, fails to amuse others, and I may have noted down reminiscences unworthy of record. But it appears to me, that I am very much in the position of some raconteur in society whom a friendly party is bent upon making talk on. The amount of encouragement I have received from the Press and the Public, is far beyond my most flattering anticipations; and in expressing my grateful acknowledgments for the fayour shewn to my former "Recollections," I sincerely trust that the present volume will not be found unworthy of a place beside its predecessors. I hope that no apology is needed for the addition of a few pages dedicated to the famous Coup d'État, which restored tranquillity to the City of Paris, and was the basis of that prosperity and power which Imperial France now enjoys. The public may depend upon the accuracy of the statements I have made, since I have not trusted entirely to my own memory, but have verified every circumstance by contemporary living authority. This ebook is purpose built and is proof-read and re-type set from the original to provide an outstanding experience of reflowing text for an ebook reader. This ebook is purpose built and is proof-read and re-type set from the original to provide an outstanding experience of reflowing text for an ebook reader. Captain Gronow, joined the Grenadier guards as a young subaltern in 1812, having completed his studies at Eton and was widely know in England and the Continent thereafter as a raconteur and a fine pistol shot. His "Reminiscences" span four volumes in their original edition, an edited version was produced around the turn of the 19th century, having varied titles but following a stream of collected anecdotes set in distinct eras. These memoirs have achieved a high degree of fame and are justly accorded much historical respect, especially in those incidents where Gronow was personally present to record the words and deeds of those around him. Although admitted to the highest society, Gronow is far from being a snob and his works bear the stamp of a high degree of moral probity, they could not be described as the handiwork of a gossip. In this third volume of reminiscences, military matters are in the background of Gronow's recollections, although they do appear occasionally, he mainly focuses on anecdotes on the celebrities of his time. The Duke of Wellington, Ouvrard, Louis Philippe, Marshal Soult, Sheridan, Shelley, Rossini, Guizot, Theirs, and Louis Napoleon are featured in varying descriptions of vivid detail. Gronow goes to some length in describing the events that led to the revolution of 1851 and the movements that led Louis Napoleon to become the last monarch of France. "Reading Gronow is like drinking champagne - effervescent and mildly addictive" Author - Captain Rees Howell Gronow - (1794–1865) Text taken, whole and complete, from the edition published in 1865, London, Smith, Elder and Company. Original – 234 pages. Linked TOC