New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1847-03-03


lions.
twas pleasant to my eye which has always
been so wearied in our country by the sombre mass
es of men that overload our public assemblies to
see them now in 50 great variety Of costume, color
and decoration.
Among the crowd wandered Leveuer 10 the oos
tune OF Academicisn, looking as fine had lost not
found his planet French sarants are more gener
ally men Of the world and even men Of fashion than
those Of other climates but in bis case he seemed
not to fnd it easy 10 exchange the music Of the
spheres for the music OF iiddes.
Speaking of Leverrier leads TO another Of my dis
appointments. went to the Sorbonne to hear him
lecture nothing dreaming that the old pedantic and
theological character Of those halls was strictly
kept up in these days Of light. An old guardian Of
the inner temple seeing me approach had hisspeech
all ready, and, manning the entrance, said with
disdainful air before we had time 10 utter a word
Monsieur may enter if he pleases. but Madame
must remain here q. p in the courtysrd) After
some EXPLANATIONS Of surprise found an slterna
tive in the Hotel de Clugny, where | passed an
hour very DELIGHTFULLY."- while waiting for my com.
panon. The rich remains OF other centuries are
there so arranged that they be seen to the best
advantage; many Of the works in ivory, china and
carved wood aretruly splendid or exquisite. saw
dagger with jeweled hit which talked whole poems
to my mind. In the various Alterations OF the Mag
/ found constantly one Of the wise men black, and
with the marked African lineaments. Before had
half finished, my companion came and wished me
at least 10 visit the lecture Of the Sorbonne
now that the talk too good for female ears was
But the guardian again interfered to deny me en-
trance You can CO. Madame" said he " to the
College Of France you can 90 to this and tother
place, but You cannot enter here What sir,
said l. ais it your institution alone that remains in
a state of barbarism r. "Que voueZ yous, Ma
dame, he replied. nnd as he spoke, his little dog
began to bark at me Cue vouez vous, Madame,
cest Ia regle, -" What would you have, Madame,
1T Is THE RULE, "a reply which makes me laugh
even now as think how the satirica wits Of form.
err days might have used it against the bulwarks Of
learned dizziness.
| was more fortunate in hearing Arago, and
he justified all nay expectations. Clear, rapid,
foll and equal bis discourse is worthy its celebrity
and felt repaid for the four hours one is obliged to
spend in going, in waiting and in hearing for the
lecture begins at half past one and you must be
there before twelve to get seat, so constant and
animated is his popularity.
Generally the most celebrated lecturers are silent
at this moment. Micheet is ILL., Mckiewicz.
highly Wanted by discriminating hearers for a vari-
ods and inspired eloquence is absent Ssted with
lectures in our own country, have not felt willing
TO give my hours TO the less distinguished, even al
though for me, as stranger and Columbian ignor'
anus know they would have many akernel worth
diseugaging from the husks, II strength and time
were more abundant
Thave attended with some interest two discus
sions at the Afhenec-one on Suicide, the other on
The Crussdes. They are amateur affairs where. as
ALWAYS al such times one hears much nonsense and
vanity much making of phrases and sentimental
mental grimace but there was one excellent
speaker sdroit and rapid as only Frenchmsn
could be With admirable readiness skill and
rhetorical polish he examined the arguments OF all
the others and built upon their failures a triumph
for himself His management OF the language too,
was mastery and French is the best OF languages
for such purpose-elesr flexible, full fsParklins
points and quick picturesque turns. with subtle
blandness that makes the dart tickle while 1t
wounds Truly he pleased the fancy filed the ear
and carried us pleasantly along over the smooth
swift waters but then came from the crowd gen.
tIeman not of the appointed OF the even
ing but who had really something in his heart to
sev--e grave. dark man, with Spanish eyes and
the simple dignity OF honor and esrnestness in all
his gesture and manner. He said IN lew ana una
dorned words his say, snd the sense oil real pres
ence filled the room and those charms OF rhetoric
faded. as vanish the beauties OF sosp'bubbles from
the eyes Of astonished childhood
wa. present on one good occasion at the Aead-
envy the day that NJ. Remusat was received there
in the place of Roger Collsrd. looked down from
one OF the iribunes upon the flower OF the ceiebu-
ties Of France. that is TO say oil the celeorities
which are authentic, CONNIE Il tauL Among them
were many marked faces, many hne heads bal, IN
reading the works of poets we always fancy them
sbou, the age of Apollo himself and found with
pain some of my fayortes quite old, and very unlike
the company on Parnassus as represented oy ha'
phael. Some, however, were venerable, even no
bls to behold Indeed the literary dynasty Of
France is growing old and here, rs in England ana
Gemauy. there seems likely to occur serious gap
before the Inauguration Of another II indeed ano'ner
is coming.
However, it was an imposing sight tiers sre
men Of real distinction now in the Academy anu
MoEere would have fair chance II he were pro
posed to-day Among the audience saw many Ia
dies Of fine expression and manner as wei as one
or two Pyeciepses Ridieules, race which Is never
quite extinct.
NJ. Remu.at, as is the custom on these occasions
painted the portrait Of his predecessor the as
course was brilliant and discriminating IN the as'AH'
but the orator seemed TO me to neglect drawing
some obvious differences which would have gwen r
better point OF view for his subject
sceanos TO me much more impressive and inter
estine was one which borrowed nothing from dress
decorations. or the presence Of titled Pomp wen.
to call on La Mennais, to whom had letter. !
found him in a little study his secretary was wHt-
ing in a larger room through which passed WIN
him was a somewhat citizen-looking bat viyaeious'
elderly man. whom was at first sorry to see hsV-
ING wished for half an hours undisurbed Visit 10 the
apostle of Democracy. But how quickly were those
feelings displaced by joy when he named to me the