Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1841-05-20
3oen & Emit ssetehes of an artist.
NJ NJ b Err III.

particularly in tho winter season, must experience
a feeling Of disappointmens. The heayiness OF me
atmosphere, the almost incessant drizzse OF ram
the narrow, dark and filthy Streets snd the cold
comfoIess ar Of every thing, cannot tail to be sac
" eontrssted with the clear skies, the clean vice
streets and the cheerful ifesides OF our cities 10"
wonder il this can be the CREST capital the paradise
Of the French the centre o fashion, OF gaieiy, OF ele
Cancel II il true this is the outside, but you have nor
seen ALL lnafew days comesihe Revision ofieeling
yo,, are bewildeted, astonished and delighted. The
splendid hotels, saloons and restaurants, the pub
tic gardens and promenades, the palaces, the monu-
roents, the fountains, the gloomy grandeur Of the
old churches, the brilliant passages, crowded with
fashionabes the balls, the theatres and the gale
res of the fine arts, all tell you that this is indeed
Paris, and can DO no sther.
The spring has opened now, and the weather l.
delightful; the trees are budding and bossoming,
and all the world are in the gardens and walks.
The Parisans live in the open air during the spring
and summer. a stranger cannot fail to be delight
ed with the manner Of living here. Notwithstanding
the unseemliness Of the streets the apartments in
the Hotels are handsome and we'll furnished. II
you wish Breakfast, a walk Of so yards in any d.
rec,ion brings you to a cafe. You are struck, on
entering the saloon, by the perfect neatness and
good tasie Of every arrangement; the prompt, but
quiet and unob,rusive attention Of the servants: the
easy, polished department of the guests and, above
all, the smiles of the Partisan beauty, who SITS at
hei little desk, embowered in roses and tea-cups,
all vvaciiy and courtesy making out the bills and
returning the salOtes of the departing guests. The
restaaranfs are conducted in the same style, and
you meet in both places the best company OF both
sexes. An English traveller has remarked, that
since the revolution Of 1899, the Parisians have
lost much of that gaiet6 dp which once dIstin
gushed them. 1t is possible; but from the observa-
tons have been enabled to make, am disposed
to think the remark is bnsed upon Whist might be,
rather than what is really the The places oil
psbc amusement are always crowded to overflow
in.; and Frenchman ready at any time TO sacri-
fee his dinner, to go to a masked ball. You see
now that same passion for pleasure and reckless
ness Of consequences which has always character
lied them. The celebration of the carnival is just
over, and have had fair opportunity of seeing
this disposition manifested in all its extravaganza.
The masquerades, which at this period are at the
height Of their glory, certainly merit brief desc,Ip
ton. Imagine yourself in large saloon, brilliant
~ illuminated, crowded with makers costumed in
manner that would put all our military travestes
to shame S OF 600 persons seated or promenading
around the hall, Of whom few are mere spects-
in their ordinary habits, visitors from Gu
rosity, but the greater part in the costume of the
ball. In the centre are as masy dancers pursuing
their amusement with a sort of phrcnzy. which no.
thing ever equalled but Tam O'Shanter's witches.
The music RACES aud the dancing becomes more flu
rious until the set terminates in a grand gallon,
when there is an interval Of few minutes, during
which you have opportunity of observing the
characters more accurately. Here is drsyman
with duchess on his arm, king making love TO
peasant girl, jolly friar in the midst of half a
dozen flower girls, knights and ladies of the olden
time, harIequins, scaramouchcs, old fashioned gen
ht"tis HouicHtH uuu HOHuesCrlpts
The mania for the masquerade pervadcs all classes,
and from the grand Opera dowa to the Prado, the
balls are very much of the same character-thous'
believe none of them would be considered precise
ly CONNIE il faut with us-in Paris it is another
thing.
The great French Opera, or Academic Royale de
Musiqu- is the great attraction for Amateurs Of
sic and the ballet. The scenery and decorations
are the finest in the world and the power of the or
chesra is nconceivable. You hear the sofIest
Of the Eolian gradually swell into the and fury
of tempest. You are as,ounded by the crash and
thunder Of battle, or melted by the planve means
of the dying, and almost without being able 20 dis
tinguish the instruments by which the effect is pro-
duced. The scenic display is wonderful-ndeed
i, is sometimes sublime, il such a word can with
proprieiy be applied to any thing connected with
the stage. You are not disgusted with the tinsel
trckery, and clap trap OF theatres generally-every
thing appeals real. There is much less afec,ation
in the manner of the French singers, than expect
ed much less than sometimes find in the Unit-
ed States, The Parisians are never satisfied with
the attractions of single star; there must be a
galaxy, a combination of talent, each perfect in his
or her peculiar role. Merit or the caprice Of fash
ion may give one the pre-eminence, bot the ar-
plause Of the audience always follows where it is
deserved, without regard to the standing of the per.
former There are no very distinguished dancers
here now.
The entertainments of the Italian opera are Of a
different character The cultivation Of the highest
order of music being the sole object, all the &C.
cessorss of scenery, decorations, &r., are some
what neglected or sink into insignifcance, when
compared with the splendor Of their great rival
Madame Grsi is the prima donna of the company
and has the reputation of being the first singer in
the world / must confess that think some of the
inferior a,tistss more pleasing IN the general The
great singers of both take liberties with
the music than is agreeable. They play with their
reputation, and endeavor to astonish the au-
dience by their wonderful powers and to tanialize
by showing what they are capable Of, than to give
themselves the trouble to please. But then you are
treated with occasional bursts that put all precon-
exquisite, rsvi.hng. Once having heard Grisi. you
will never forget her; the strains haunt your mem
DRY for weeks TheIeis nothing that can make the
air, nothing that initiate ir,-yet the delicious
impression remains to disgust you with all inferior
attempts. You are willing TO concede to her repu.