The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-04-12
GOSSIP UF PARIS.


Gossip, &c
The mi-carene (he half of Lent) is here to-day.
Bad weather will not allow the masquerades in the
city. At the present hour the rain is pouring in
torrents and hail is beseging, like grape shot, the
windows of my office. This ugly weather has re-
placed the spring temperature which we have
joyed during the whole of the winter Well,
We pay for it with the gibo,des de mars, which,
instead Of appearing under the shape Of storms,
are falling, melted, in thick rain, which renders
the macadam the muddest invention of the age.
Paris, for the last fortnight, resembles those foun-
tains of mud on the Mormons' lands in California,
for the dirt is all the streets and the Boue
wards.
The waters of La Seine have much augmented,
and yesterday morning the river had such height
that its waves bathing the upper stones of the
wharves. There is no danger, however, OF Hood
The snow has been scarce IN the mountains, ana
the frost has not furnished the ice-houses OF nature
any more than those of mankind. Apropos: 1t APP
pears that the keepers of refreshment establish
ments of Paris and France, do not know what to
do to obtain ice for making ice creams, lemonades,
sherry eobblers and brandy smashers, for the next
season. If am well informed ice will be scarce,
and will cost from four to five cents the pound
should think that il would be an excellent specula-
ton to send some to Hayre, and sell IT with clear
profit of 400 per cent.
The weather, instead of preventing the pleasures
of fashionable society," despite the strctness oil
the Lent, has given new chime to the merry bells
of folly. The private parties have been quite nu-
merous, and several public balls, of refined kind,
have also taken place.
The most conspicuous Of these, has been that
given by the actors and actresses of Paris for the
benefit Of their benevolent association. This i'm
posing assembly, ut which all the pretty and
talented actresses of Paris present, took place
at the Comic Opera House, on Saturday last, the
22d instant and il was a splendid affair All the
GU y1gS III, Egyfr a No RAJ
in Paris, had hired private box for the occasion,
and their oge was a petit saloon, where they held
their colu pTeaae during the intermssion either of
a quadIille or of a mazurka. Nile. Rachel, whose
paror was much beseged at that ball, danced with
of the leading b,a,Gr of Paris, and it is said
that each of her dances paid hundred francs to
the association by the happy partner. Ihis ex-
ample was followed by many of her sisters in the
art of Melpomene, and it produced an addition to
the income of the benevolent society. was shown,
ut that ball, the individual who, wishing to be
quanted with the ninety-two patronesses of the a:
ISOLATION, visited all these pretty women, and took
ticket from each of their pretty hands. This
curiosity was certainly quite expensive, but it gave
the gentlemen who satisfied it, the best opportunity
of rendering himself the lion of the soiree, and,
perhaps, he will find reward for his good &C.
ton. Among the actresses whose toQGteS offered
the most elegant Gtscnibc will mention Miles.
Page, the varieties theatres Nile Brassine of the
Montansier theatre; Md'lle of the Vaudeville thea
ue Madame kos Cheers, of the Ciy mnase; Madame
Octaves, of the Vaudeville theatre; Mdle Nolan,
of the Comic Opera house; and Madame Pieron, of
the theatre Iistorque. The richest goods had been
employed by their dressmakers, and the style with
which they had been arranged was the ne pas Ultra
Of fine taste and elegance. The President Of the
republic was present n this festival, and though
he did rot leave the box which he had hired for the
occasion, il is said that he gave audience in the
back rarlor of that box to the aristoeracy Of
beauty belonging to our theatres. 1t was sort of
reception du pd teree which had its peculiar charm.
he Americans residing III Paris were numerous at
the Jdt des Gntstes, and ! could mention many in
tigues which were began, through the interference
of the god Plutus, III the foyer of the theatre. Ii
will be sufficient to say that two Of the most con
spicgous ''swes" of Saratoga and Newport. tried
all IN their power to conquer the hearts OF these
ladies, and created much laughter among them.
he first, Ito describe them without giving any
name), wae a thin and halt dead young man, who
wears his hat the left side Of the skull and whose
continual spinning was the greatest curiosity of
of Saracco's dan ing saloon. The second fat
and bcmbast,c gent" well known among the
il you find out, you will that correct in all
respects.
There will be two grand balls this evening, which
will offer much interest. The first is n masquerade
parry, given by the Princess of Wigram, in the
place Of Princess Nathilda Demedof. The second
i that of Mr.. and Madame Berger, at the Hotel
de Vile. ! will send the particulars in my next.
Aud last, not the least, the grand Masquerade Ball
at the Academy of Music, which will be the revfes
ro,ts Of all those who fond of fun and pleasure
All Paris will go there and bury the carnival in the
best style
1t is proper 10 mention that kings and queens are
still elected BY the people. You must know that n
ancient custom renders il necessary to select king
and queen in all the washing establishments OF
Paris. ] he annual ceremony took place on sun
day last and it afforded quite interesting sight
10 foreigner. When the queen had been elected |
by universal suffrage, she chooses her king, sAd |
both are crowned with crown of paste board, gilt
Tor the occasion. his ceremony was followed by
grand dinner during which the most es;husiastic
loasts were delivered in honor Of their msjesties.
tine Of our statesmen has said that the " Kings |
were gone" This, declare, is falsehood and nom
sense. On the contrary, they are returning.
Another royalty, that Of merit was bestowed, on |
saturday last, by the Institute of France, upon Mr..
Ambrose Thomas, the celebrated composer Of mu- |
sc, who was named member of that body Of distin-
rushed men, IN place of the celebrated Spontini. |
his selection was very popular, and met with the
universal appreciation OF those who are acquainted |
with the charming works Of Mr.. Thomas
curious experiment. have taken place in Paris
during the last week, by Mr.. sudre, the inventor
Of the Acoustic telegraph. This gentleman. with |
The Use OF trumpet or drum, gives to his hearers
series Of questions and answers, which may be ex-
tended to the utmos, limits Of conversation. These
experiments will prove very useful for the traInis-
non o orders between two bodies oftroops separated
BY the enemy during battle Guns and canons
ire also employed by the telegraphcr as a means Of
very important orders on the battle
eld.
II viii be remembered by your reader. that last
wonderful work 6. -~-culturist, man who had
sceSed no edgtaton, no prncr.- y The at OF ma,
hine .Jaking, and who, by natural science ha'
ait a clock Of the largest size, by which the hours
be minutes, the seconds. the days, the years ana
be months, rcfe marked. his man, named Cusson,
las arrived here with his wonderful clock, and, after
lavirg visited IL must confess that IT il most
oundIg sight. | am sure that the Horologe Gus
ION, which will lie exhibited at the Worlds Fair, in
Hyde Park, will meet with immense attention, even
hough will be placed among the most marvellous
discoveries Of the age.
The greatest preparations have been made all over
rance for the invoices 10 the exhibition of London
Among those which were sent, few days ago, ! /
will speak Of a "Mamnoth pate, a. big az a boil
er Of steamboat, and filed with game OF all sorts
poultry and truaies. This pate ds giauf mad
1T StIasburg, and will, no doubt, create an i'm
Inense sensation in the London circles Of gormands
The preserves" which SO much used at sea, |
have received in Improvement, or rather addition,
means TO dry vegetables of all sorts, to press them