The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-22

the most life, and the most originality and en-
joyment. Here are the great schools of learning,
philosophy, painting, music, and also of manners
and society. Many of the English come and
live here for these advantages, and of late years
q considerable number of Americans. 1t is cal
culated that there are constantly living in Paris,
thirty thousand English residents, besides one
hundred. thousand German or other countries.
Those who are rich, among the English, and
want to shine in society in new light, make a
soourn in Paris, attend the lectures which are
all free-visit the galleries and the theatres-or
open a splendid house, and under the patronage
OF some poor princess, or deserted countess,
give sorfes, and try to catch the French elegance
and grace, as the chameleon is said to catch flies.
Some amusing anecdotes told of the English
who come here to study the true Partisan grace,
and the mode of getting up circles of enjoyment.
The English are wealthy and ostentatious.
They give fine suppers, and the hungry French
counts and counesses are said to live whole
months during the winter on these fat tables and
well replenished restorafeurs, as they are called
giving in return their wit, sarcasm, graceful
manners, and other like graces. The delicacy
and ease of French repartee and conversation,
are also attempted to be caught by the English,
but it is very difficult to reach the grace of the
finished French lady. There is freedom in
French conversation that can hardly be initiated
in another language without approaching the
broad and the vulgar. A French lady will say
and do thinks with grace and ease, that would
be considered shocking in another person or a
different language. Many of the English ruin
themselves by these attempts; and some of the
Americans, but by no means many, follow IN
the same steps.
Of late years a great many Americans of some
fortune, and others with broken ones, have come
to Paris to reside, to study society, to perfect
their manners, and to add to their social enjoy
ments. could enumerate over twenty families
of this description, of whom there are many
droll and amusing anecdotes and histories told
by the French in their salons. Some of these
associate among themselves, mix little with
the English, and pick up few stray counts or an
English lord, or German baron, or a Russian
prince, with whom they can show off as lions
and wonders. Others take the other, but ex-
pensive, method, of hiring or engaging some
distinguished princess or countess, at so much a
winter, to fill their salons and arrange their COM
pany, they paying all the expenses, including
those who sing and dance; and she contributing
society can be picked up in this way, at no great
expense; and by paying high and expanding libe-
rally, one can have plenty, or, at least, good
supply Of the choicest, most refined, and most
accomplished society in the Faubourg st. Ger
maines or the Faubourg st. Honore, including
nobility of all sorts, from 5000 income head to
$4,000. Price and quality 60 together, the same as
in horses, ships, or new breeches. Many Ameri-
cans have gone through these social studies in
Paris-have acquired tact and grace-developed
high talent alta good deal of expense-and then
returned to the United States, to transplant their
accomplishments, and reproduce their graces In
their own land. And no doubt much real i'm
provement is made in New York, Boston, Balt-
more, and New Orleans, by such methods of
foreign study and travel; for manners and modes
of enjoying life may be improved as much as
medicine, or the arts and sciences.
In the French salons the men and women are
always young, always lively, always witty
Young unmarried girls are not allowed to take
such prominent part in such circles as in the
United States. They must wait till settled, or
sold, in life. When lady is married, then she
is considered as having entered the world, but
not before. Old boys of over sixty years will
dance and waltz as merily as the young. They
are also full of conversation and small talk,
and pretty small talk it is sometimes In fact,
Paris is a great school of manners, of wit, OF
grace, of enjoyment in society. 1t is equally 80
in the fine arts and in speculative science-not
forgetting medicine. But in the practical i'm.
provements of real life, they are much more
backward, and much less enthusiastic than we
are in the United States. AS people, they I'M
derstand little of practical politics or selfgo.
vernment, yet they seem to be quite happy and
contented without it, A French cook can make
soup out Of single cabbage leaf, and the
whole nation seems to create happiness almost
,ut of as little. But foreigners, who Icome to
Paris from all parts of the world, may improve
themselves very much in the art of forming and
enjoying society; but to pass through such a
course Of study successfully, they must possess
two most important articles, and plenty of them
gold and brass; gold to pay the expenses and
get up the sensation, and brass to support one
against the wit, the ridicule, and the sarcasm Of
those who eat your suppers and dance in your
salons. That's all. Gold and brass are the two
most essential metals in modern society.
FROM BRITISH GUIANA.-By the Globe, Capt.
Seeley, arrived last evening, we have received
the Georgetown Gazette to the 4th inst.
Three hundred kegs and eighty boxes Of gun
powder, part of the cargo of the brigantlne
Charlotte, recently arrived. from Philadelphia,
had been seized by the authorities at George
town, under law prohibiting the importation
Of gunpowder within the limits of any British
settlement in foreign bottoms.
Theatrical.
PARK THEATRE.-M'ne Blangy made her second ap-
pearance at the Park last evening" supported by Miss
Valee and Mons Bouxary The two ballets selected
for the occasion La Chatter and "L'Illusion
dun Peintrs" The graceful danseuse received
the evening Of her first appearance with great ap
plause. Her movements beautiful, her grace SO
easy and her whole department agreeable that the
beholders nvountarily led to award to her the
which thev feel he per.