The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-26

nounces, moreover, that he has Just communicated
bis plan 20 the Academy OF Sciences and TO the
Committee Of Permanence Of the Legislative As
senby by two letters addressed to their respective
presiding officers. II the solution of this important
problem, upon which public attention has been
suddenly thrown, Is not effected this time, il will
certainly not be for the want of pretenders.
The Porte ST. Martin has just reopened, and af-
fords US a vedtable fete. Nothing remains of the
old hall but s elegant shape favorable to hear
ing. Every thing has been renewed. 1t is
shining metanorphose, and the new manager,
Monsieur Victor Henry, has shrunk from no sacri-
flee in order to restore this theatre to the spendor
of its palmy days III 1881. Gold, scarlet drapery,
lovely painting and sculpture, prousely disrib.
nted over five tiers Of boxes; and superb ceiling,
painted by Gosse and Devoir, worhiy crowns the
entire hall, displaying on its arches the three
charming forms of Thalia, Melpomene, and Terp-
sichore, and the car Of Apollo
prologue by Merry, which is almost a comedy,
and a grand drama from the sparkling pen of Leon
Gozlan. paid the expenses on the evening of open
ing There are two scenes 10 the Boulevards de Pa
ris, and Merry has thrown into them enough Of
wit, coupiets, and grace to fill ten vaudeyilles.
Pied.fer, the drama Of Gozlan, is composition
learnedly and delicately wrought which the pub
lie has received with favor, and which has not
Nsa9Sd W 'oiiAi oPPeu7S' hHio"B PSi Ao'
ers who made their first appearance this
ming wore particularly remarked Monsieur Tisse-
rant, who is magnificent in any part where melo-
drama and comedy are mixed, and Madame Blan-
gy Bouteville, sister of the charming danseuse who
is still in the United States. Madame Boutcville is
TALL well made and prepossessing; her voice is So
and agreeable. She, too, was very near
crossing the seas; for the manager OF the New Or
leans theatre made proposals to her which she might
have accepted had the Porte st. Martin not
gagged her.
The nsws is but too true that the license Of the
Italian opera is taken from nj. Ronconi and be-
slowed upon Mr.. Lumley, of her Majesty's Thea
ire at London. 1t is asserted that NJ Jules Le-
comte is in partnership with Mr.. Lumley. The
dismissal of Ronconi calls forth sharp criticisms;
it's injustice is decried, and not without reason.
This excellent artistic took the Italian theatre at
desperate moment, when no one was willing to
cept onerous II charge; and it was urged for
ward under his management to point where it
was about to gather the fruit of his efforts and his
courageous commencement 1t is asked, more
over, in rSrence to the appointment of MIR. Lum-
ley, if English influence ID not getting to be too
powerful at the Elys6e.
At ST. Petersburg, our actors, it is known, do
honor to country. As regards the arts, the
Russians are half French. They not ignorant
of any thing that is going on in Paris. They are
acquainted with all our performers; they know by
heart our stock plays, even including the modern
ones. LeInenil arrived a few weeks ago at st. Pc
tersburg he was looking for apartments. He was
shown something splendid-a vast and spacious an
techaInber and dining room glittcring with gold.
He went down stairs four steps at a leap. "What
is the matter?' said the housckeeper, following
him rapidly. 81 am flying from temptation an
swercd Lemeni; came into Russia to make
good deal of money and to spend very little"
cone word, sr," said the Russian houseleeper-
cone word, pray you; listen to me. If my mas
ter, General -, should learn that French
actor came here, without my having influence
enough over him to introduce him to his palace,
should be ruined beg that you will come and see
the General" Lemenil consented. "Why did
you not visit all my apartments ?" said the Gene
raj, with a strongly Muscovite accent. because
because" 81 know your reasons, and con-
slider them perfectly absurd, Major Cravachon.
You perceive that avail myself of your language.
You shall live with me you shall sleep here this
evening, and you will pay me what your lodgings
cost at Paris-nothing more nor less" "But-
but" "Nlajor Cravachon, am your superior
officer; am general, and you must obey 90
And it is thus, by comic role between two men
of intelligence, that French actor is found to
Ply for few thousand francs palace at ST. Peters
burg.
You arc doubtless aware that Mademoisee
Rachel is in Prussia. Figure TO yourself how cold,
how icy cold, are these hidcous Germans in the
home of tragedy. Therefore, to recompense the
great actress for the reception little too germanc
of his people, the King of Prussia has conceived the
idea Of sending her a casktt truly royal. Five thou
sand francs "a hundred thousand francs" you
will say. No. five thousand francs There, very
honorable French Legislators, is what the crowned
heads Of Germany can do. Then call Made
moiselle Rachel, and be yourselves the King Of
Prussia to receive and offer five thousand francs!
Well, kings are small affairs now, when we look
TO the other side Of the where the millions
raining flowers at the feet Of Miss Jenny Lind!
If we once begin to speak of M. Honore dc Bal
FAC, we are never done with his eccentricties.
Here is another popularity which has lately been
related Of him.
In 1885 the hustle Of Partisan life annoying him,
he left hs house in the Rue Cassni TO go and reside
at Passy, not far from Bouogne, where be took
apartments in the name Of Madame Dupont, fund
holder. BY this stratagem, he expected 20 scatter
at one blow the importunatc, the booksellers, the
provincials and tho prosecutions Of the citizen mi
tia. Adrummer Of the place spied him out. lie
soon knew who this mysterious man was that fled
from the world. One morning he handed him
billet de- gdrde "a militia summons) addressed "T0
W. Honors de Baizae, called Madame Dupont" On
seeing this note our writer took his leave, and emf
grated 10 Auteuil.
Not long since, about two O'Clock in the day, tho
great romsncer. Alexander Dumas, like an ordi-
nary mortal, was attending TO his business. The
rain caught him by the way. The father Of Monte
ChiIto, like most Of the profound thinkers Of our
day, Processes perfect horror for that insoparable
friend Of tho Englishman called an umbrella How
ever, tho sky poured down torrents, and Dumas
was FAR from any carriage stand, he couragcously
resolved to shelter hmsclfin a street doorway, in
order thathc might not get too wet before the ces-
saton Of the shower, that passing vehicle
might enable him to escape TO biz own dwelling.
Whilst dreaming, doubtless, either some ro-
nance some drama, our author raised his eyes
towards the house opposite, and was agreeably sur
prised in noticing young woman who, with her
delicate finger at intervals, drew aside the small
curtain Of her window TO look at him
The sof-love Of Alexander Dumas is ne immense
his talent. Therefore, without supposng that
other-for several persons we're k himself sheltered