The Sun.
London, England, 1852-10-25 00:00:00

LOUIS NAPOLEON AT THE THEATRE.

(From the Times.)
PARIS, SATURDAY, OCT. 23, 5 P.M.
I presume that the visit paid by the Presid eat last
night to the Theatre Francais must be considered as
a visit of " State." It had been announced for some
days beforehand, and improvements and decorations
were made within the walls, and everything done to
welcome the Imperial visitor. The street was sanded
all over, and the facades of this chosen temple of the
dramatic muse was beautifully illuminated. The bird
whose form and anatomy the Parisian ornithologist
has been most familiar with for many months past is
unquestionably the eagle. He has been exhibited in
every shape and material—in wood and iron, in gas-
light and in oil, in pasteboard and canvass, in silk and
satin ; and on every occasion, for be is never off duty.
He last night rose with outspread wings, and in the
midst of glare, with his usual appendage, the star of
the Legion of Honour. To his right and left were
to be seen shields encircled with palm leaves., with
resplendent stars in the intermediate spaces, and on
them the familiar initials "L. N." Lines ef g'a s ran
all round the building, and the light they shed turned
the night into day. The Foyer displayed its new
decorations, and the walls were hung with portraits
of the eminent actors of the old Comedie Fran raise,
and complete the series of the busts of the poets,..
For some hours previous to the President's sirrival,
the lower part of the Rue Richelieu had been crowded
with people, and cries of " Vive l'Empereur !'" from
without, when the second act was just cornea( encing,
gave note of his arrival. Accompanied by th e usual
escort of cuirassiers, the Prince arrived in nn open
carriage drawn by four horses, followed by another
of the same kind, and containing the officers, of his
household. In that part of the street the pathways
are narrow, as also the streets on both sides; mid the
escort drawing up in line, prevented the crowd
from thronging his passage. The President was
cheered on entering his box, which was hung in front
with crimson velvet drapery, embroidered with bees
in gold. The interior of the theatre displayed pro-
fusion of tricoloured flags in clusters. The
the Leg
Presi-
dent, who was dressed "in black, and wore the cordon of
by most of his
Legion ofmH.onnour, was conducted to his box by
the director, oussaye. He was accompanied
sign from the President, Ministers. On his entrance, the per-
formance suspended for a few moments, but, on a
W9B
in the piece cient, it proceeded. All the pas-
sageswhich seemed to haveou la Clemence d'AvLguste,"
areference to present circum-
irinelderdewup,
stances, were warmly
curprauded. As 800'1 as the
theA tentairned.sßtrea
tragedy was over, the
clad in white, her waist encircled
Rachel
a cwt the
neei bottom
urn
with laurel, as the
Muse of History, appeared, with
imperialer crown
h
, advanced,
of the house drawn up heahnindh
f
the stage was a flag, with
leg the words, " Napoleon III."
and bowing to the President's box, recited
only can recite, the following stanzas
L'EMPIRE C'EST LA PALL
I.
Je snis la Muse de I'Ristoire,
Mon livre eat de marbre ou d'airain ;
Quand vient l'heure de la victoire,
Jo proud mon stylet souverain.
Phidias l'autre Promethee,
oun
Qui des hommes a fait des (Ilona,
En son Parthenon m's sculptie i
tot
Beds sur terra et front dans les cieux.
T_ln nouveau cycle recommence,
Le vieux monde s'est reveille ;
Deji, dans ]'horizon imreense,
L'eotile d'or a scintilla.

..•
L'Empire c'est la paix :—paix qui sera feconde.
Quand Dieu veut que du Nil les flots soient assoupis,
Oil le Nil debordait jaillissent les epis :
L'Empire a deborde pour fficonder le monde !

Continuant, cette oeuvre, it pourra la signer,
L'beritier du grand nom qui domino la terre ;
L'Empereur a legue la gloire, et non la guerre :
Triompher dans la pail, audjourd'hui c'ost regner.
Grande ruche en travail par lea beaux-arts charrnee,
Paris, une entre Athens I Alger, une autre Tyr!
Des landea a peupler, des villas a bath.,
Vpili lea bulletin* de uotre Gaudy Armee!