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

LOUIS NAPOLEON AT THE THEATRE

(From the Timea)
itS,SsAitTpu
aRiDaAbYy,
theOCT. 2
President 3 ,
srias'
I presume that the vi
night to the Theatre Francais must be considered as
a visit of 4. 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 he 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 aril 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 cf gas 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 caise,
and complete the series of the busts of the poets.
For some hours previous to the President's arrival,
the lower part of the Rue Richelieu had been crowded
with people, and cries of " Vire l'Enapereur I" from
without, when the second act was just commencing,
gave note of his arrival. Accompanied by the usual
escort of cuirassiers, the Prince arrived in an 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; and 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 a pro-
fusion of tricoloured flags in clusters. The Presi-
dent, who was dressed in black, and wore the cordon of
the Legion of Honour, was conducted to his box by
the director, M. Houssaye. He was accompanied
by most is Ministers. of M• •
sters. On his entrance, the per-
formance was suspended for a few moments, but, on a
sign from the President, 1 proceeded. All the pas-
sages in the piewhich seemed c
e
ig Ciana, ou la Clemente d'Auguste,"
to have reference to present circum-
stances, were
tragedy was over, the
applauded. As soon as the
clad in wbitp, h-r, the curtain drew up, and Rachel,
Muse of Historeyr waist
encircled with laurel, as the
of the house dras:nare.ared, with the entire strength
the stage was a flag,
wpithhehind her. At the bottom of
Napoleon imperial crown surmount-
icg the words,
and bowing to the President's
box, Rachel advanced,
only can recite, the following t recited, as Rachel
L'EMPIRE stanzas
EST LA PAIL
z.
Je suis la Muse de l'Flistoire,
Mon livre est de marbre ou d'aire
Quand vieut l'heure de la victoirem;
Je prend mon stylet souverain.
Phidias l'autre Prometbee,
Qui des hommes a fait des dieux,
En son Parth6non m'a eculpt6e
sur terre et front dans les eieux.

tin nouveau cycle recommence,
Le vieux monde s'est reveille ;
Deji, dans l'horizon immense,
L'eotile d'or a scintilla.

L'Empire c'est la paix :—paix qui sera fe3onde.
Quand Dieu veut que du Nil les Hots soient assoupis,
OiL le Nil,d6bordait jaillissent les epis :
L'Empire a debord6 pour fCconder le monde!

Continuant, cette oeuvre, it pourra la signer,
L'hecitier du grand nom qui domine la terre ;
L'Empereur a legue la gloire, et non la guerre :
Triompher dans la pais, audjourd'hui c'est refiner.
Grande ruche en travail par les beaux-arts charmee,
Paris, one autre Athimes ! Alger, une autro Tyr !
Des landes a peupler, des villes I bath.,
Voili lea bulletins de ;lotto Grande Arwie