The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-01-30
PARIsIAn GOSSIP.
Correspondence Of the Courier dss Etats- Unis.l
PARIS December rs.


The week has coursed to the sound Of the violin
and trombone. The year il terminating gaily in
the bathrooms. Every day has been crowned by
htes. The diplomatic world, until now, held it
self in its habtua reserve, and seemed TO wait the
signal which the Turkish Ambassador Yesterday
gave it. The Prince Callimaki will have had the
honor to give the first diplomatic soiree of the year.
II was in this very hotel of the Turkish embassy
that took place the last grand ball given under the
monarchy, two days before the revolution of Feb
ruary. How many things have since occurred
how many fortunes have changed! And yet yes
terday were found again in the saloons Of the AM
bassador absolutely the same company, the same
people, the same faces which found at the ball
efFebruary. ls4s new Epimenides, who should
have slept there twenty-five months, would have
believed on awaking that he was still at the same
Rte.
The fAte was perfect and quite musical. 1t was
concert in three parts, but which did not appear
too long, owing to the talent of the artists These
were Madame Ugalde. the violinist Alard, stamaty,
and Geraldy.
Music disputed with the contradanza and the
waltz the empire of the saloons As to the polka
year; they are modes which have fallen into dsuse,
and which must be replaced by something new.
They have talked of taking up the mnuet again;
the idea comes from the faubourg St. German,
where many projects are started, and where they
quite frequently employ themselves with resurrec-
tons. A certain degree Of agitation has manifest
ed itself this week In several saloons of this arsto
cratic hubourg. The Academy hAs been the cause
oft When the Academy-habitually % reserved,
by chance an occasion to engage the public atten-
ton, IL profits Of the good look, and does not quit
the subject until II has exhausted IL.
The Duke de Noailles was thought TO be well and
truly buried in the academic chair. The cere-
mony bad been performed with pomp; brilliant
crowd had been present at the obsequies; M Patin
had pronounced the funeral oration; and the at
tendsnts, after having thrown the defunct the
nowers OF their apPiauses, bad withdrawn, saying:
LET him rest In peace may he slecp the sleep Of
the just Of literature, and may the cupola Of the In
stitute be light upon him."
All was to end here But the Academy was un-
willing TO renounce 30 quick the success which the
name Of nj. de Noailles had brought IL. After the
din which was made around IL during the delays 50
ably spun out, from the day Of the election until
the day OF the ceremony, il could not decide 70 fall
back into silence and forgetfulness II must add
an epiogue to the denouement Of this long comedy.
This is why the shadows which sit in the academic
metropolis have met and decreed, after an eloquent
debate, that, according 10 ancient and solemn
usage, the newly elect would go, accompanied by
the Director of the Academy, 70 present his homage
TO the President Of the Republic.
There's what has carried trouble into the fau-
bourg 81. German, which is sometimes moved AT
less than that. The noble faubourg, which itself
abstains from appearing at the Elysee, has warmly
exclaimed against the idea that one Of its own, i,s
most illusrious members, should cross the threshold
Of the presidential dwelling, and should 60, led on
by M. Patin, TO bend itself before the republican
authority. IL is the reverse Of the medal. All Of
these fine people, who the other day were 30 happy
and 30 proud Of the reception Of the duke Mt the
Academy, now regret the honor which compels the
duke TO an unforeseen step. They had made this
reception affair ef general interest; IL tri
umph for their whole caste. They all considered
themselves 10 some extent seated in the armchair
consider themselves TO some extent crossing with
their representative the sntechambers Of the presi
dental mansion.
Bot the rcpugnancc of the faubourg St. German
is only secondary matterj and IL Is not that alone
which creates astonishment mt the decision of the
Academy. Under the ancient regime, when the ap
pointmcnt Of an acsdemcian was submitted TO the
sanction Of the chief Of the State, II was quite
simple matter that the recipendsry should make a
visit Of thanks 10 the sovereign who had confirmed
his elect but, availing Itself of the freedoms
which the new system OF politics offered IL, the
Academy had this time dispensed with submitting
iu choice TO the appreciation Of the Elysee- Why,
therefore, this VISIT When the first OF the ormsi-
ties and the most essential, had not been fulfilled,
what good was there in the second' According TO
this logic, would they preserve the consequence Of
q principle itself abolished Such lame system
could not be explained in a satisfactory manner.
couragei it will be asked. Could an act Of cour
tiership be imposed upon II. which brings Il back
10 its ancient vassalagei Is II ofits own movement
or through obcisance, that It resumes the yoke Of
old tracluonef
But let us leave the Academy and return TO
subject more divcrting. There was another charm
ing ball this week at the house Of one OF most
celebrated actresses. How fail TO speak OF these
ztes, which always make such noise, reeoundng
in every region OF the Partisan worldi When they |
dance at the house Of queen, or at the house OF
princess Of the theatre, is felt in the most brill
liant saloons All rivalry is impossible; 90 much
the worse for the balls which take place the |
same evening, for they are deserted by the most
distin guished cavaliers. This shining advantage,
carried by the dramatic domain. cxcites the envy
Of the women OF the world. They irritatcd and
sstonishcd at the preference which wounds them,
and an explanation Of which they ask with impa
tient curiosity.
swell. what pleasure do you find, now, in these
kind Of parties, sir"
at seems TO me, madam, It is easy 70 under.
stand"
al will tell you, then, that they change US, and
that repose there from ccremonious tone, from
great manners, from studied niceties, and from
parade Of virtue"
/" indeed the explanation is frank"
"H exactly expresses my thought"
" So you will 20 TO the ball of Msdemoisello -i'
" Certainly; can you blame me ~
81 have neither the right nor the intention to do
20. don't perceive the least harm In getting rid
of the srn~is OF our society"
"The ennssis7 should not pardon
word II had pronounced it'll myself this