The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-09-28
NAPOLEON AT ERFURTH,

| IN Ertorth, when writing several years later, }
existed within the narrow limits OF this Ger
man village in 1908. The epoch was ended
a striking one, in which the astonishing man
who Tor SO many years has slept on the rock
Li ST. Helena from the fitful fever OF his life
brought together in this place, as with the
stroke OF an enchanter's wand, emperors and
king s, and the most remarkable men. Towns
people and peasants, strangers from all COIN
tries, courtiers in costumes richly embroider-
ed, and somewhat ridiculous from the an
| tiquty OF their fashion; Polish Jews, states
men and officers, covered with ribbons and
crosses, citizens wives. ladies elegantly dress
ed peasant girls with their baskets on their
backs, all hurried here and there, iostling
and laboring to make way. From time 10
lime French troops, moving with the music
Of bands 10 the ground appointed for review.
added 10 the confusion of the streets. The
Town OF Erfurth was not large enough 10
hUld The strangers which came crowdng in
to it. The principal inhabitants were driven
from their apartments 10 those of their SER
wants 10 make room fo- the suite of the
Emperor Of The French. In the streets more
removed from the centre, the owner ofhous-
es were delighted with the goldsn harvest
afforded by those who teDanted them. The
inns was filled TO overlooking.
Napoleon had ordered TO Erfurth the
principal actors of the Theatre-Francais.-
| Telma, Mademoiselle Duchenois. MAIDEN
oiselIe Mars, the beautiful Georges, the char
ming Bourgoin. appeared several times
week to play their best parts before the au-
gust audience. 4 little theatre which had
been found in an old college of the Jesuits,
had been arranged with extreme prompt
tuded and elegance.
Box tickets were distributed 10 native and
foreign ladies, for every representation; but
| it was not easy TO obtain hem. 1t was nee
essary 10 carry on long correspondence
with our friends in the suit of the Grand
Duke OF Wiemar, and great deal of intrig
Jung and maneuvring on their part was nee
essary, before my friends and myself had the
happiness TO obtain tickets for a representa-
ton of the tragedy Of Gdipus, in which Tai
ma and MademoiseI Rancourt were TO ap-
pear.
we set out from Weimar for Erlurth. On
our arrival we deposited our tickets in the
nn-chamber which we had hired, and then
tried 10 get into the siJeets but the great
throng in them obliged US 10 make our way
back again, We were supplied with horror,
on reckoning our tickets, 10 find that two oil
them we're lost. We removed everything ID
the room, but in vain-the tickets were
gone. The inn-keeper's boy had probably
made something of them. for they gave rise
10 very considerable traffic. Strangers,
who arrived at Erfurth without friends or
recommendations, often purchased them al
a Louis dor each.
If we had but some officers with US :
said one Of our youngest female companions;
for soldier with a decoration was as good
as a ticket, 1t was an excellent idea Among
| IT,.
cred the very cavaliers we wanted
and il was under their protection that We
walked to the theatre through the crowd
which besieged all the avenues TO it. On
the top OF The stairs we were received by a
: soldier o. the guard, with terrible face.
I who disposed Us in several boxes in the hall
: which as yet was nearly empty.
Il was happy enough 10 be placed with two
of nv friends in the front OF a box near the
stage, whence we could see all that passed in
The pit. We congratulated each other on
being so well placed; butour Joy was Of
short duration. The boxes near Us were
= filed 10 excess The door Of ours was opened
= hastily. The gendarn.e, or whoever ne was,
who stood sentinel over our box, came 10 say
e that three chairs were too much for three
, ladies'. and Immediately introduced 10 the
seats two other ladies, who, fortunately, how
ever. were known 10 US. Ali the boxes, as
well as ours, we're soon full. We were
' crowded numerically, SO that we could hard
" stir The heat was enough 10 make one
n faint bu. really we had not time Tor any
: thing of the kind. The importance OF the
|, grand spectacle which was forming iisel
: under our eyes in the pit, occupied our atten-
!. ton so much that every Inconvenience wal
;. forgotten.
/ al hat ho etor or,la ar
4 two arm chairs for the Emperors Alexander
e and Napoleon !; and, at their sides, ordinary
e chairs for the kings and reigning princes
]. The spaces behind these seats began to FL
up. We saw enter the statesmen and gen
Il erals OF The several powers of Europe, meT
( whose names were then famous. and have
e become portion OF history. Uniforms GOV
- cred with gold. and an air OF vivacity ant
r assurance, distinguished the French from tn,
Germans, more serious and more modest
There were Berihier, SooIt. Caulaincourt
Il Savary, Lannes, Duroc and many other
equally celebrated; il seemed as :fthe great
ness OF their master was reflected in tn,
aspect OF each. Goeth was there, with hi
calm, dignified look. and the venerable Vie
u land. They had accompanied the Gram
q Duke Of Wiemar TO Erfnrth- The Duke O
. Gotha. and several German princes, reign
" " AuOsC "GiO
4 about the two vetrans of German literature
d a rolling OF drums was heard outside
$. 1t is the Emperor ran through the hall il
It murmur.
Of Fools what are you about 2 said the com
handing officer TO the drummers, it is but
), kingp
- In fact, German king il wss who entere
Il. the hall, Three others appeared in a It'll
uI time after. Without noise or splendor, IN
III Kings of Bavaria. Sexony, and Wurtem
lie burg, entered. The King of Wesrphalia
lie Jerome,) who came later, eclipsed them D
I'd the ecIat of his embroideries and pearl:
rs The Emperor Ale xander. With his males
ST port, came next The grand box opposit
the stage, GazzIed all eyes brilliancy. Tn
l. Queen of Westphalia, covered with d
~ monds, sat in the middle, and near her III
bs charming Stephanie, Grand Duchess of b
in den, more remarkable for the graces OF he