Download ebooks file Affinity Chromatography 1st Edition B. Vijayalakshmi Ayyar all chapters
Download ebooks file Affinity Chromatography 1st Edition B. Vijayalakshmi Ayyar all chapters
Download ebooks file Affinity Chromatography 1st Edition B. Vijayalakshmi Ayyar all chapters
com
https://ebookname.com/product/affinity-chromatography-1st-
edition-b-vijayalakshmi-ayyar/
OR CLICK BUTTON
DOWLOAD EBOOK
https://ebookname.com/product/affinity-modification-of-biopolymers-
first-edition-knorre/
ebookname.com
https://ebookname.com/product/cyclodextrins-in-chromatography-rsc-
chromatography-monos-1st-edition-tibor-cserhati/
ebookname.com
https://ebookname.com/product/advances-in-chromatography-
volume-44-advances-in-chromatography-1st-edition-eli-grushka/
ebookname.com
https://ebookname.com/product/the-norton-field-guide-to-writing-with-
readings-3rd-edition-richard-bullock/
ebookname.com
https://ebookname.com/product/the-book-of-kubernetes-alan-hohn/
ebookname.com
https://ebookname.com/product/sound-and-sense-in-classical-arabic-
poetry-1st-edition-geert-jan-van-gelder/
ebookname.com
https://ebookname.com/product/cardiothoracic-surgery-2nd-edition-
joanna-chikwe/
ebookname.com
A metaphysics of psychopathology 1st Edition Zachar
https://ebookname.com/product/a-metaphysics-of-psychopathology-1st-
edition-zachar/
ebookname.com
Methods in
Molecular Biology 2466
B. Vijayalakshmi Ayyar
Sushrut Arora Editors
Affinity
Chromatography
Methods and Protocols
METHODS IN MOLECULAR BIOLOGY
Series Editor
John M. Walker
School of Life and Medical Sciences
University of Hertfordshire
Hatfield, Hertfordshire, UK
Edited by
B. Vijayalakshmi Ayyar
Molecular Virology and Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
Sushrut Arora
Astero Erado Inc, Houston, TX, USA
Editors
B. Vijayalakshmi Ayyar Sushrut Arora
Molecular Virology and Microbiology Astero Erado Inc
Baylor College of Medicine Houston, TX, USA
Houston, TX, USA
This Humana imprint is published by the registered company Springer Science+Business Media, LLC part of Springer
Nature.
The registered company address is: 1 New York Plaza, New York, NY 10004, U.S.A.
Preface
v
Contents
Preface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . v
Contributors. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ix
vii
viii Contents
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 275
Contributors
ix
x Contributors
Abstract
Antibodies are an integral part of many biological assays and biotherapeutics. However, the sources from
which antibodies are derived frequently contain other contaminants which may interfere with assays or
cause adverse reactions if administered in vivo. Therefore, a means of isolating these antibodies from their
source at high levels of purity is critical. Affinity chromatography is currently one of the most widely applied
methods for the purification of antibodies. This method relies on specific and reversible, interactions
between antibody structures, or recombinant tags fused to these structures, and ligands immobilized on
solid support matrices, generally within a column. Herein, common chromatographic methods applied to
antibody purification are described. These include the purification of IgG, and its recombinant forms,
through protein A, protein G and immobilized metal affinity chromatography.
1 Introduction
B. Vijayalakshmi Ayyar and Sushrut Arora (eds.), Affinity Chromatography: Methods and Protocols, Methods in Molecular Biology,
vol. 2466, https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-0716-2176-9_1, © Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature 2022
3
4 Arabelle Cassedy and Richard O’Kennedy
Precipitation
Volume Reduction
Antibody Sample
Buffer Exchange
Pelleting/Lysing Cells
Fig. 1 Sample Workflow for an Affinity Purification. Prior to purification, the antibody-containing sample
generally requires some level of pretreatment. Examples of pretreatments include clarification of the sample,
precipitation of proteins or reduction of the sample volume. Once prepared, the sample is then applied to a
column where the antibody is captured on a specific resin, for example, Protein A resin. A series of wash steps
can be used to remove contaminant proteins, after which, the purified antibody sample is eluted. Further
treatment, such as exchanging into an alternative buffer, may be required post-purification depending on the
intended future application of the purified antibody
solution is then applied via a mobile phase which passes over the
stationary phase, and this is where binding of the antibody occurs.
Here, the antibody interacts with the ligand and is retained, while
the remainder of the contaminants are removed through a series of
wash steps. Antibody which has remained bound to the stationary
phase may then be eluted. This general workflow for an immunoaf-
finity purification is depicted in Fig. 1. The elution method varies
depending on the style of affinity chromatography being imple-
mented. The purification method of choice is typically dictated by
the type and format of antibody being purified.
1.1 Antibody Antibodies may be generally categorized into three groups, poly-
Formats clonal, monoclonal, and recombinant. Polyclonal refers to a mix-
ture of antibodies against a given target. These antibodies are
produced by multiple B-cells, and as such, will have varying affi-
nities to a range of epitopes on the target molecule. Conversely,
monoclonal antibodies are produced by one B-cell and are typified
by singular epitope targeting. Recombinant antibodies are prepared
using – in vitro methods. Briefly, the antibody genes are isolated
through polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Thereafter, the genes
are cloned into vectors and transformed into a host organism, for
example, E. coli, or yeast, to generate an antibody library. Target-
specific antibodies are identified from this library using various
methods, for example phage display [15]. Classically, recombinant
antibodies were generated to detect one epitope on the target, in a
6 Arabelle Cassedy and Richard O’Kennedy
Fa
b
F(ab’)2
F(ab)
Fc
IgG sdAb
scAb
scFv
Diabody
Minibody
ScFv-Fc
Chain Legend
Fig. 2 Examples of Various Antibody Formats. The “whole” antibody molecule, IgG, consists of two heavy and
two light chains. The heavy chain may be further subdivided into three constant regions and one variable
region, while the light chain is separated into one constant and one variable region. Recombinant antibodies
are fragments of this “whole” molecule and comprise a combination of variable and constant regions from the
heavy and light chains. The incorporation of constant regions into recombinant fragments generally imparts a
greater stability to the molecule. Examples of recombinant formats containing constant regions include the F
(ab0 )2, F(ab), scAb, and minibody. The addition of certain constant regions (Fc) to the constructs also offers Fc
functionality, which is useful for purifications or other in-vivo applications, an example of this can be seen in
the scFv-Fc format. The chains within recombinant forms are typically joined by either disulfide bonds or linker
molecules, such as the commonly used glycine–serine linker
1.4 Reduction of Precipitation involves the addition of salt to the sample to the point
Sample Volume where the ionic strength of the solution renders proteins insoluble.
This leads to protein–protein interactions, resulting in aggregation
1.4.1 Precipitation
and subsequent precipitation of the target, known as “salting-out.”
One of the most commonly used salts is ammonium sulfate. The
salt concentration at which a protein will precipitate at varies
depending on the proteins’ isoelectric point, making this a useful
method for isolating particular targets. Precipitation can be positive
or negative depending upon what is precipitated. For example, in
terms of antibodies, precipitation can be used to isolate only anti-
bodies, termed positive precipitation, or to precipitate out other
undesired proteins, which is known as negative precipitation
[22]. A drawback of this method is that usually other undesired
proteins will “salt-out” at similar ionic strengths to the target,
meaning that further cleanup steps are typically required. Precipita-
tion is also a useful method for purification and concentration of
antibodies such as avian IgY, which does not interact with the
typical affinity purification proteins A or G [23, 24].
1.4.2 Sample Another alternative for sample clarification and reduction of sample
Concentration volume is to employ concentration systems using filter membranes.
The filter permits proteins smaller than the pore size to pass
through, along with excess media, while proteins with molecular
weights above the cutoff are retained in the remaining concentrated
media [25]. Once the protein has been concentrated to the desired
volume, the process may proceed to the next step, affinity
purification.
1.5 Affinity Proteins A and G are a class of bacterial protein which bind to the Fc
Chromatography region of a wide range of immunoglobulin species and isotypes.
Protein A, derived from Staphylococcus aureus, also binds the
1.5.1 Proteins A, G, A/G,
human heavy chain of the VH3 family. Protein A is the most widely
and L
used affinity ligand as it shows high stability and high specificity for
IgG [26]. While protein A is routinely used for most antibody
purifications, it does not exhibit binding to all immunoglobulin
species and classes, for example, human IgG3 and rat IgG, where
protein G must be used. Protein G was isolated from Streptococcus
and demonstrates binding to the Fc regions of immunoglobulins;
however, protein G is also known to bind other proteins such as
albumin or α2-macroglobulin. Protein engineering methods have
since led to the abolition of such undesired binding regions in
protein G [27, 28]. The binding capacity of both protein A and
G for IgG (or its equivalent) varies depending on the Ig class and
species. It is good practice to refer to information provided by the
resin manufacturers to ensure the most suitable resin is employed
for the relevant antibody. To overcome the differences in selectivity
for antibody subclasses and species, a chimeric form of proteins A
Antibody Purification Using Affinity Chromatography 9
as it has a lower affinity for the E. coli host proteins [32]. However,
this metal ion also has a lower affinity for the histidine tag, and
purification through this means may result in a lower yield of the
protein of interest. If a high yield of protein is a desired outcome of
the process, it may be more favorable to perform IMAC using Ni2+
resin, which has a higher binding affinity with histidine, and per-
form cleanup steps to remove remaining contaminant host
proteins.
In addition to protein A, protein G, and IMAC resins, there are
multiple other ligands which can be used to purify antibodies. Some
examples of these include the use of antigens immobilized on solid
surfaces to immunoaffinity purify antibody mixtures. Alternatively,
smaller peptides which correlate to specific regions on the antigen
can be used. This method can be particularly useful for polyclonal
antibody preparations where only a portion of the antibodies pres-
ent in the mixture will be specific for the target antigen
[33]. Branched and cyclic peptides are another alternative for
antibody-binding ligands. Some of these peptides are referred to
as mimetic ligands as they present binding similar to already estab-
lished immunoglobulin binding proteins such as protein A
[34]. Further examples of alternative ligands are anti-species/
anti-tag antibodies, affimers, aptamers, designed ankaryn repeat
proteins, monobodies, affitins, thiophilic ligands, and lectins [35–
37]. While there are numerous ligand options for the purification of
antibodies, this chapter will focus primarily on protein A/G/L and
IMAC purification strategies as their application is widespread and
such ligands are suitable for the purification of most antibodies and
antibody constructs.
2 Materials
2.1 Antibody 1. There are multiple commercial kits available, for example, the
Isotyping Rapid Antibody Isotyping Kit Plus Kappa and Lambda for
Mouse (Pierce™) or IsoStrip™ Mouse Monoclonal Antibody
2.1.1 Lateral Flow
Isotyping Kit from Roche (see Note 1). These kits are stored
refrigerated between 2 and 8 C. These kits contain lateral flow
strips featuring immobilized anti-isotype antibodies, for exam-
ple, IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b, IgG3, IgM, and IgA. There are also
test lines which detect the light chain on the monoclonal anti-
bodies, allowing the determination of the light chain class (κ or
λ). A sample diluent is also typically provided in these kits.
Antibody Purification Using Affinity Chromatography 11
3 Methods
This section describes the various steps involved in each part of the
purification process, that is, clarification, volume adjustment, and
purification. These protocols are a general recommendation for
each of these methods; however, some adjustments may be
required depending on the antibody to be purified and the overall
requirements of the purification.
3.1.1 Lateral Flow 1. Prepare sample as per the manufacturer’s guidelines, for exam-
ple, dilute tissue culture supernatant 1:100 with sample
diluent.
2. Equilibrate lateral flow cassettes to room temperature. Each
cassette will have test lines containing immobilized anti-isotype
and anti-light chain class antibodies.
3. Add the sample to be tested to each well of the cassette.
4. After 5–10 min determine the result on the strip. Disregard any
result after 10 min.
5. Results are analyzed by first confirming the presence of a col-
ored line at the control, indicating a successful assay. Secondly,
the isotype and class of the antibody is determined by identify-
ing the darkest colored test line bands on the lateral flow strip.
Each test line will have an associated isotype, thus allowing for
elucidation of isotype.
3.1.2 ELISA 1. Prepare the wash buffer and positive controls in dH2O, as per
manufacturers’ guidelines.
2. Remove plates from 20 C and use immediately.
3. Add 140 μL of dH2O to the lyophilized pellets in the sample
wells and negative control wells Similarly, add 100 μL dH2O to
the positive control wells.
4. Add 50 μL of positive control (lyophilized IgG1, IgG2a,
IgG2b, IgG3, IgA, IgM, κ, and λ isotypes) and 10 μL negative
control (e.g., tissue culture media) or sample (e.g., hybridoma
supernatant) to the appropriate wells.
5. Cover the plate with adhesive film and incubate at room tem-
perature for 2 h, under agitation on a microplate shaker.
6. Remove film, empty wells and wash six times with 400 μL wash
buffer. Avoid touching the bottom of the wells when washing.
7. Add 100 μL of TMB substrate to each well and incubate at
room temperature for 10–15 min, away from direct sunlight.
8. Add 100 μL Stop Solution to all wells.
9. Read absorbances immediately on a plate spectrophotometer at
an absorbance 450 nm. The range 610-650 nm may be used
as a reference, if desired.
14 Arabelle Cassedy and Richard O’Kennedy
3.2.2 Clarification of 1. After collection of whole blood, leave the sample to coagulate
Serum at room temperature for up to 1 h.
2. Centrifuge sample for 10 min at 3,000 g and 4 C.
3. Decant the supernatant (serum) into a fresh container.
4. Filter serum through a 0.22 μm membrane filter and store
filtrate at 20 C for use in further purification steps.
3.3 Reduction of Often the volume of the sample containing the antibody is unsuit-
Sample Volume able for application to bench-top chromatographic methods, for
instance, hybridoma cell culture media volumes. If the sample
volume is too large, methods such as precipitation or membrane
filtration may be applied. These allow for concentration of the
antibody within the sample, providing a smaller volume with
which to work. On occasion, precipitation, or concentration of
the antibodies in the sample may be sufficient for purification, and
no further chromatographic steps may be required. However, the
two methods used in conjunction offer an enhanced purification
compared to either step alone. This is important for later applica-
tions of the sample as the purity of the sample may affect parameters
such as antibody specificity or sensitivity. This section describes two
commonly used methods for reducing sample volume, ammonium
sulfate precipitation and membrane filtration.
3.3.1 Ammonium Sulfate 1. Add the clarified antibody sample to a beaker along with a
Precipitation stirrer bar. Note the volume of the sample.
2. Add saturated ammonium sulfate solution very slowly to the
sample until ammonium sulfate concentration reaches roughly
45–50%, that is, the volume of ammonium sulfate added is
equal to sample volume (see Note 9).
3. Leave beaker at 4 C for 4–6 h, or overnight.
4. Centrifuge precipitated mixture in the range of
3,000–10,000 g at room temperature for 30 min.
5. Pour off supernatant and leave pellet to air dry. This contains
the antibody.
6. For serum samples, resuspend the precipitate in PBS, roughly
30–50% of the original starting volume of the sample. For
hybridoma culture samples, resuspend pellet in 10% of the
starting volume with PBS.
7. Excess salt remaining in the sample may be removed via buffer
exchange (Subheading 3.4.3).
3.3.2 IgY Precipitation 1. Separate the egg yolk from the egg white, rinse the yolk in
ultrapure water, dry the yolk and drain/pipette the liquid yolk
into an appropriately tared receptacle.
2. Record the volume of the yolk in milliliters, assuming that 1 g is
equivalent to 1 mL.
3. Add five times the sample volume of cold delipidation reagent
under continuous gentle stirring and incubate this mixture at
4 C for 2–24 h.
4. After the incubation, remix the sample prior to centrifuging in
the range of 4,000–10,000 g for 15 min at 4 C.
16 Arabelle Cassedy and Richard O’Kennedy
3.3.3 Sample 1. Add the appropriate molecular weight cutoff membrane to the
Concentration concentration/filtration system and pour in the sample.
2. Attach a pressure-source to the system and place on a magnetic
stirrer platform to begin concentration. Have a container ready
at the filtrate outlet to collect filtered liquid.
3. Filter sample until desired sample volume remains in the cell.
3.4 Purification of Protein A, G, A/G, L, and IMAC resins are among some of the
Antibodies Using most cost-effective and readily available resins; however, it is worth
Affinity noting that there are extensive affinity chromatography resin alter-
Chromatography natives, some of which may better suit the needs of the user.
Examples of these include anti-HA, anti-c-myc, amylose, anti-
FLAG, or glutathione resins. Investigation should be performed
prior to purification as to whether one of these less commonly used
resins may be more fit for purpose than the more widely applied
resins [38]. The choice of resin, and therefore ligand, is extremely
dependent on factors such as the species, class and structural format
of the antibody to be purified. The resins and protocols described in
the following sections are appropriate for the purification of a wide
range of antibody types at a relatively high level of purity. However,
it is pertinent to optimize parameters such as the wash, binding and
elution steps as the purity and antibody yield of the resultant
elution fractions may be improved by tailoring these. The following
purifications may be performed at the bench, either at 4 C or at
room temperature.
3.4.1 Protein A, G, and L 1. Equilibrate the resin and requisite buffers to room
Chromatography temperature.
2. Place a bottom cap on the column and add 2 mL of the relevant
resin.
3. Allow the resin to settle before removing the bottom cap and
draining storage solution. It is critical that the resin does not
run dry. Therefore, ensure the next step is performed as the
storage buffer meets the top of the resin bed, recapping the
column to do so, if necessary.
Random documents with unrelated
content Scribd suggests to you:
whose mouths these artificial waterfalls are vomited. In this state, at
least, a jet d’eau forms but a disagreeable ornament in a garden,
which ought to unite every beauty of nature, and to disdain every
other.
The next object to St. Cloud, which attracted our attention, was
the famous manufactory of Sèvre. The beautiful porcelain, which
bears the name of this town, continues to be made here, under the
immediate protection of the government. We visited the shop, or
magazin, and were shown the several rooms of which it consists. In
all of these were tables, covered with specimens of china made
here, but I cannot say that they answered my expectation. They
were neither as various, nor as splendid, as one should suppose they
would be, at the principal dépôt of so renowned a manufactory.
Probably, the situation in which France has been during the
revolution, did not afford a sufficient number of purchasers, to
induce the managers to keep by them any considerable quantity of
expensive articles. There were several busts of Bonaparte in
different sizes, all of which were strikingly resembling. There were
also great and small busts of Voltaire, Franklin, and Rousseau.
Going thence to Versailles, we drove to Rambrand’s, which is
esteemed the principal hotel; but finding, on our arrival, that the
best rooms were engaged, we changed our plan, and proceeded to
le Petit Trianon in the park, which, formerly the much loved retreat
of Marie Antoinette, has, in the strange metamorphosis things as
well as men have experienced in France, become a common inn.
Having ordered dinner to be prepared in a small room, once
celebrated as the luxurious boudoir of the ill fated queen, we
proceeded to view the curiosities of Versailles. The park has lost
some trees, and has been neglected. In other respects, it is not
much altered. The orangerie[63] still retains, unimpaired, all its
beauty. We walked through long avenues of orange trees, all of
which are in high health and rich foliage. The gardener assured us,
that some of those which were of very large dimensions, had been
planted in the reign of Francis I.
We next visited the private library of the former kings of France,
situate in a separate house in the town. There is nothing very
particular in the building; but there were, above the several doors of
the library, extremely pretty paintings of the different capitals of
Europe. We were here shown a very beautiful collection of
illuminated paintings, representing the splendid fête and
tournaments given by the magnificent Lewis XIV.
Thence our guide wished to take us to the national manufactory of
fire arms, which is carried on with great activity in this town; but
having seen many acknowledgedly superior works of the same kind
in England, we declined visiting it, and proceeded at once to the
palace. This superb building has not suffered at all during the
revolution; though, from being neglected and uninhabited, it has
contracted a kind of gloom, which forcibly recals the misfortunes of
its last possessors, and the uncertainty of human grandeur. The
magnificent furniture, which the apartments once contained, has
been removed; but the walls are not without ornament, for the
palace having been made (probably with the view of preserving it
from popular violence) a musée central, or dépôt of the works of art,
now possesses several valuable pictures, and a few excellent
statues. Among the former, I remarked some good Claude Loraines,
and two beautiful portraits by Vincent. The subject of one was Henry
IV of France; and the other, that of the celebrated president, Molé.
The latter is painted in his parliamentary robes, heroically exposing
his breast to the violence of the mob, and doing his duty, unmoved
by the poniards raised against him. You seem to hear him exclaim,
as history records he did, “La distance est grande de la main d’un
assassin au cœur d’un honnête homme[64].”
We walked through the vast suite of rooms, which, once the seat
of gayety, splendour, luxury, and royal magnificence, are now the
abode of solitude, and the monument of fallen grandeur.
It is unnecessary to state the many reflections which this spot
created. We failed not to visit the apartment which the unfortunate
Lewis XVI occupied on the 6th of october, and in which Marie
Antoinette took refuge. We were also shown the balcony window
(now stopped up), where that virtuous and ill fated princess,
madame Elizabeth, with a magnanimity truly heroic, presented
herself, when the queen was called for, and being taken for her,
voluntarily subjected herself to all the brutal violence of an irritated
mob.
We likewise saw the opera house, built for the wedding of Lewis
XVI, when dauphin, and which, during the last reign, was sometimes
used as a theatre, and sometimes as a ball room. The apartment is
still perfect, but the scenes and decorations have been removed.
On leaving the palace, we visited several jets d’eau; but were
prevented from viewing the garden as particularly as we could have
wished, a violent shower of rain having overtaken us.
The waterworks and pleasure grounds appear to have been much
neglected.
We dined at the Little Trianon, and slept there. The room, which
fell to my share, was that which the unhappy Lewis formerly
occupied, and the key of the door had attached to it a label, on
which could still be discovered, though half effaced, the words,
“appartement du roi[65].”
In calling for our bill this morning, we found that this little inn (ci-
devant a royal residence) had two proprietors, one of whom lets the
apartments, and the other supplies the table in the character of
“traiteur.” With the charges of the latter we had no fault to find; but
the demand of the former was so ridiculously exorbitant, that have
kept the bill as a curiosity, of which I add the copy.
Francs.
Trois appartemens de maître 36
Bougie 6
Bois 9
Quatre lits de domestique 12
Total 63
my dear sir,
All Paris has been alive for the last three days. Can you guess the
reason? Perhaps you will imagine, that the inhabitants, roused from
the state of lethargy, into which they have for some time back been
plunged, are beginning to give sincere but tardy marks of joy, at the
reestablishment of internal order, and external peace. Not at all, my
good friend. A subject, much more interesting to the parisians, is the
cause of the show and gayety so generally exhibited. Know, then,
that “Long Champ” has begun! I must now, like other learned
commentators, explain my explanation.
“Long Champ” is the name of a village, situate on the other side of
the “Bois de Boulogne,” of which latter place I spoke to you in a
former letter. In this village stood an abbey, or church; and one of
the holy fathers, some hundred years ago, had a voice of such
extraordinary sweetness, that, when high mass was performed,
crowds of Parisians flocked to hear him. His popularity was not
confined to the lower class, and the noblesse shared the curiosity of
the public. The fashion of going to Long Champ so rapidly increased,
that, in a short time, it was no uncommon thing to see whole strings
of splendid carriages at the door of the convent. The road to this
village became the favourite ride, and vanity soon discovered, that it
afforded an excellent opportunity of displaying all the varieties of
dress, and all the pomp of equipage. In the course of a few years, it
became an established custom, at this particular period of the year,
to make, during three days, not an humble pilgrimage, but a
splendid procession, to Long Champ. The mass and the singer were
soon forgotten; but the promenade continued, and increased every
year in the magnificence of parade. To appear, on this occasion, with
becoming grandeur, the haughty, but often distressed noble, would,
for months beforehand, deprive himself of his ordinary comforts. To
rival “les dames de bonne compagnie[70]” in richness of dress, in
show of equipage, and blaze of diamonds, was the grand object of
the admired belles of the opera house; and the means of doing so,
was the exacted price of those smiles, which the well beneficed
prelate, or the wealthy financier, were sometimes permitted to
enjoy. The Bourgeois and their wives appeared in their humble
cabriolets, but the former wore their Sunday apparel; and the latter
were loaded with all the tinsel finery, which, during the course of the
year, they had been able to collect. The common people, or la
canaille (as they were then indignantly called), were equally fond of
this procession; and, at the risk of being run over, crowded and
completed the show, some dressed in tattered regimentals, some in
faded silk coats, and ragged embroidered waistcoats, and others
with bag-wig’s and wooden shoes.
Such was the custom during “l’ancien régime.” The amusements of
the french vanished with their old political institutions, and
“horrendum dictu,” Long Champ was long unobserved.
Robespierre, and after him the directors, forbade every thing
which bore the least resemblance to the customs of former times;
but when Bonaparte came into power, the system was instantly
changed, and the people, left to follow their own inclinations,
greedily returned to all their former diversions. “Long Champ” was of
the number; and, since the 18th of brumaire, it has been gradually
recovering its ancient magnificence. This year, from the
reestablishment of peace, and the confluence of foreigners, it was
expected to be finer than ever; and vast preparations have, during
some weeks past, been making. Milliners tortured their fancy to
invent new fashions; mantuamakers passed whole nights without
sleep, in executing the orders which they had received; coachmakers
exerted themselves with all the art of their trade, and all the vanity
of their country, in endeavouring to imitate the carriages of the
english; horses were sent for from every part of the world;
regiments of tailors were employed in making coats for the beaux,
habits for the ladies, and laced jackets for their grooms; strings of
boots were seen dangling on the backs of porters in every quarter of
the town; saddles were as much in requisition, as if a great military
project, by the means of cavalry, had been in agitation; and I have
been confidently assured, that no less than three thousand pair of
leather breeches were ordered on the occasion.
In consequence of these active preparations, and of “Long
Champ” having been, for some weeks back, infinitely more the
subject of conversation than either the peace, or the reestablishment
of religion, I expected, at least, a very brilliant sight. I must say, I
was disappointed. The only thing which pleased me very much, was
the bustle which it produced in the town, and the gayety with which
it animated the faces of the Parisians. For three days, every vehicle
in the shape of a carriage, and every animal which claimed the name
of horse, has been dragged into use, and become part of the
procession. About two o’clock, a military guard was posted at the
beginning of the Champs Elisées, to preserve order, (for nothing
here is done without soldiers); and from that hour, till some time
after sunset, the crowd gradually increased. At three, the line of
carriages reached from “la place de la Concorde” to the “Bois de
Boulogne;” and, of course, there were frequent stoppages, even at
the beginning of the promenade. The road not employed in this
manner, was filled with equestrians of all ranks, and the walk on
both sides was equally thronged with passengers on foot. There
were some few elegant english equipages, well appointed, and
others spoiled, by the shabby appearance of the servants, or the
extreme badness of the horses. The french coachmakers, in one or
two instances, successfully imitated the fashions of London; but,
generally speaking, the attempt only served to prove the vast
distance which exists, between the two countries, in the art of
constructing carriages.
Mixed with “les voitures à l’anglaise, ou véritablement
anglaises[71]” were seen old fashioned berlins, family coaches, and
superannuated cabriolets of all descriptions. Phaetons, gigs,
curricles, and whiskies, completed the procession. Among the
horsemen were seen a few returned emigrants, who had so well
copied the dress of our young men of ton, that they might have
been mistaken for the beaux of Bond street; but the greater number
(malgré their leather breeches and boots, their blue frocks and high
crowned hats) betrayed the forgery, by the preposterous addition of
ear-rings, coloured capes, or pointed toes. The ladies appeared in
every variety of clothing. Some, who ventured to be their own
charioteers, assumed the neat and appropriate dress of an
“amazone,” or habit. Others, decorating, and concealing as little as
possible, the charms of their person, shone in all the brilliance of
their evening apparel. Worked gowns, laced caps, and showy
turbans, were sometimes exhibited from the windows of hackney
coaches; and a dirty buggy had, not unfrequently, the honour of
conveying three or four damsels, whose costume would not have
been unsuited to the first heroine of the stage. It is impossible to
describe, or convey, the faintest idea of the grotesque figures which
appeared on this occasion; and, notwithstanding the trouble and
expense to which so many individuals had exposed themselves, by
the purchase of new carriages, new liveries, new horses, new
dresses, and last, not least, new leather breeches, the whole
appeared to me but a shabby exhibition, dull amusement.
Moving, in slow procession, to the other side of the Bois de
Boulogne, during five or six hours, constituted the whole pleasure of
this vaunted fête. There were certainly some elegant carriages, and
some handsome horses; but the number was too inconsiderable to
make amends for the crowd of those of a contrary description.
Nothing could be more tiresome than sitting in one of these vehicles,
as they were compelled, every instant, to stop, on account of the
lengthened line, which increased every moment. Persons on
horseback were equally ill off, as it required the utmost care to avoid
being driven against the wheels of the carriages; and as for the
pedestrians, they were almost buried in a volley of dust.
Such is the celebrated promenade of Long Champ, which, though
an annual festival, appears to me a wretched and pitiful imitation of
Hyde park on an ordinary sunday. Yet the french are delighted with
their amusement; and in returning this evening, I heard on every
side, “Quel beau spectacle! quelles jolies voitures! quels magnifiques
chevaux! quelle belle parure! Vraiment c’est charmant[72]!”
It is not a little flattering to the vanity of an englishman, to see
how rapidly the french are adopting our fashions; and,
notwithstanding the awkward manner in which they are sometimes
copied, yet such is the general bias, that I entertain no doubt that,
in the space of ten years, (if the peace should last so long), it will
become almost impossible to distinguish, by his dress, a native of
France from one of England.
The ladies of Paris, and those of London, differ, indeed, very
widely in their toilet. Perhaps they might reciprocally improve by
observing each other; and while the former would do right to
respect and imitate the modesty, with which the latter are usually
clad, our fair countrywomen might also, without any injury to their
beauty, or any violation of that delicacy, which is their brightest
ornament, adopt some of that taste, elegance, and fancy, which are
often seen in the dress of a well bred frenchwoman.
Adieu, my dear sir. I am heartily tired of my subject, and fear you
will have been so some time. I therefore take my leave for the
present.
I am, &c.
LETTER XXVI.
Te Deum sung at Notre Dame, in honour of the peace and the
reestablishment of religion.—Military insolence.—Account of the
ceremony.—Illuminations in the evening.—Indifference of the people.
my dear sir,
Adieu.
LETTER XXVII.
Palais de Justice.—Account of the different tribunals or courts of law.
Paris, april the 30th, 1802, (10 floréal.)
my dear sir,
my dear sir,
Whenever you come to Paris, come with the smiling month of may.
On my arrival here, at the end of october, I was disgusted with the
dirt of the streets, the mire of the Thuilleries, the ruts of the
Boulevards, and the general gloom of the town. Accustomed to take
a great deal of exercise, I could not persuade myself to be shut up,
the whole of every day, either in a hot room, or a close carriage. I
therefore continued to walk about: but, while my feet were cut to
pieces at every step, I was frequently in danger of being run over by
a rapid cabriolet, or squeezed to atoms under the ponderous wheels
of an overloaded cart. Nor was I consoled for this hazardous
undertaking by meeting with any conversable persons of my
acquaintance.
The parisians, who have carriages, never think of walking during
the severe days of winter; and those who do not possess that
convenience, spend the greater part of every day at home. To save
the expense of a fiacre[75], they will, indeed, sometimes use their
feet in going to a restaurateur’s, a spectacle, or a ball, or in paying
some of those innumerable visits, in which an inhabitant of this town
passes half his life; but, as to taking exercise for health, it never
enters into the calculations of a frenchman. Nothing, therefore,
could be so dismal as the streets in the months of november,
december, and january; and a severer punishment could not be
devised for the daily murder of time committed by our Bond street
loungers, than to condemn them to a three months pilgrimage, at
that period of the year, round the streets of Paris.
The spring has, with fine weather, changed the face of every thing
here; and a person fond of exercise may now have all the
advantages which he can possibly desire.
The Thuilleries and Champs Elisées, which in winter are almost
impassable, now offer excellent gravel walks, and delightful shade
under the long avenues of lofty trees. Here crowds are collected at
almost every hour of the day; and, besides long lines of pedestrians,
rows of chairs are filled with ladies eating ice, and politicians reading
newspapers.
The Bois de Boulogne affords an admirable ride for persons in
carriages or on horseback, and a lengthened walk for those on foot.
Besides these, there are several delightful gardens open to the
public in different parts of the town. The Boulevards, which surround
Paris on every side, are now seen to great advantage.
The walks are in high order, the trees are in rich foliage; and the
number of mountebanks, printsellers, quack doctors, and shows of
all kinds, collected here, and the crowds of persons and carriages
which are constantly passing, make them present a very curious and
lively scene.
The “Hameau de Chantilly,” or Elisée de Bourbon, very near the
Champs Elisées, has a very pretty, though not an extensive garden,
into which, for a few sols, you gain admittance. It was hence I saw
madame Garnerin ascend, about a month ago, in a balloon,
unaccompanied by any one. The day was fine; and we were all
much delighted with the courage of the fair heroine, who was the
first female that had ventured alone on such an expedition.
She descended a few leagues from Paris, and supped, the same
evening, in public, at the Hameau, where she was received with
universal and merited applause.
I am particularly pleased with a garden, called “Mousseux, ou les
délices de Chartre,” situate in the Fauxbourg St. Honoré, and within
the gates of Paris. It formerly belonged to the duke of Orleans; but,
having been confiscated with the rest of his enormous fortune, is
now national property, and open every day for the use of the public.
The garden is arranged in the english taste, commands an extensive
view, and has all the advantages and appearance of grounds at a
considerable distance from a capital. Fine verdure, trees of every
kind in the must luxuriant blossom, variety of flowers, a clear sky,
and birds warbling a thousand wild notes, make you entirely forget
the town; and the whole seems a fairy scene produced by
enchantment.
The only things in bad taste, I mean the modern antiques and
drawbridges, are now falling into decay; and the artificial ruins are
daily becoming real ones.
The salon or house consists of a long gallery; but it has been so
much neglected during the revolution, that it is now in a very
tottering and dangerous state. “Mousseux” is still a most delightful
spot, and must have been exquisitely so, when kept in proper order.
I doubt much, if such a garden is to be found within the walls of any
other capital in Europe.
I ought to mention, that, though the town is completely hidden in
the shady walks of this charming retreat, one of the best views of
Paris is enjoyed from a hillock of easy ascent, situate in the centre of
these grounds. There is a traiteur at the door of the garden, where
dinners may be ordered; but his accommodations (as far as can be
judged from the outward appearance of his habitation) I should
suppose not very superiour. I have heard, however, of large and
fashionable parties, who have dined here. Nothing is paid for walking
in the garden.
At the further end of the Bois de Boulogne, about two miles from
Paris, there is another place of this kind, which, whenever you come
to Paris, I recommend your visiting. It is called “Bagatelle,” and
formerly belonged to the Comte D’Artois, who is said to have built
the house and arranged the grounds in the space of six weeks. The
building, which is now an inn or tavern, is light and elegant; and the
garden (allowing for some few exceptions) is laid out with
considerable taste. Near the house there is a very pretty and very
striking view of the bridge of Neuilly. The accommodations here are
good, and a person fond of the country cannot pass a fine evening
more agreeably, than by dining at Bagatelle, and strolling afterwards
about the grounds.
Before I conclude my account of the gardens of Paris, I ought to
mention two, which, are opened at this season of the year, at a late
hour, and usually frequented after the opera, or other spectacles; I
mean Frescati and Tivoli.
Frescati consists of a large house and small garden, situate on the
Boulevard. The gate stands in the corner of “la rue de la Loi.” The
apartments, elegantly painted with italian landscapes, are large and
numerous, and splendidly lighted every evening. The garden was
illuminated last night, for the first time this season, and is as pretty
as its limited extent can permit. It is the fashion to come here about
ten o’clock; and the amusement consists in walking about, chatting
with your friends, eating ices and cakes, or drinking tea, punch, or
lemonade, the sale of which articles constitute the whole profits of
the landlord, to whom nothing is paid for admittance. Frescati is, in
short, a kind of coffee house; and, notwithstanding the smell of
brandy, gin, and rum, generally prevalent, is frequented by ladies as
well as gentlemen. When I first came here, I supposed that these
ladies were of a certain description: but I was soon undeceived; and,
besides seeing at this place the most respectable families of Paris,
was assured by a ci-devant comtesse excessively rigid on matters of
etiquette, “que toute la bonne compagnie y alloit[76].” After this
authoritative decision, it would be presumptuous to doubt the
propriety of going to Frescati; and our most scrupulous
countrywomen may, without apprehension of being taken either for
“filles” or “parvenues,” enjoy this strange and singular amusement.
Tivoli is but just opened for the season. I have been there once. It
is a large and beautiful garden, situate in “la rue St. Lazare,” in the
“Chaussée d’Antin.” It was illuminated with much taste; the trees are
lofty; and the whole seemed to resemble what I imagine our
Vauxhall was, before it was covered in.
There was a band of music, and dancing, on a platform erected
for the purpose. There was also a party of tumblers. The company
was not either very numerous or very genteel; but the night was not
hot, and fine weather is necessary to render this place agreeable; as
there is no house or shelter of any kind. In the months of July or
august Tivoli must be delightful.
I forgot to mention, that there were roundabouts, (as they are
vulgarly called in England) on which full grown people were very
gravely amusing themselves. I heard, the other day, of a duel, which
took place in consequence of a dispute for one of these places. You
will scarcely believe the report; yet I am every day convinced, that
there is nothing so ridiculous, that fancy can suppose, which does
not actually and frequently take place in this most extraordinary
town.
Having given you this short sketch of the amusements “al fresco,”
I shall conclude with repeating my recommendations to you,
whenever you come to Paris, to come in the spring. Winter is,
indeed, the time for private society; but I have found from
experience, that a foreigner has so little to expect on this head, that
it is much wiser to choose a season, when an infinite variety of
amusements, and all the charms of Nature, in their richest and
happiest colours, offer a sure and constant fund of pleasure.
I am, &c.
LETTER XXIX.
The manufactory of “Gobelins,” the observatory, “les Enfans trouvés,”
“Champ de Mars,” les Invalides, and the temple of Mars, containing
the colours taken from different nations, and the tomb of Turenne.—
Le Musée des Monumens françois, or collection of monuments.—List
of the most esteemed of these.—Note to this letter contains the
account of a dinner at the first consul’s.
my dear sir,
Our website is not just a platform for buying books, but a bridge
connecting readers to the timeless values of culture and wisdom. With
an elegant, user-friendly interface and an intelligent search system,
we are committed to providing a quick and convenient shopping
experience. Additionally, our special promotions and home delivery
services ensure that you save time and fully enjoy the joy of reading.
ebookname.com