The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-01-04

deceived by his false friends and his mis-
tresses-cheated by them,-and this leads him
to his ruin. Having penetrated into the Temple OF
the god OSIRIS, where the mysteries Of the hoadi,
to be thrown into the Nile, and the sentence IL
executed This tableau il one OF the most gor-
geous pageants ever invented and exhibited any.
where Yoa must imagine the immense stage OF
the Grand Opera House open to the back wall,
and terminated by an immense staircase, on the
steps of which are lying, intoxicated, crowd,
dressed in the most magnificent style, shining with
gold, ghttering with silver, and bright win crm-
The fourth act represents the wide desert, with
its caravans The unfortunate Enfant Prodi-
que is seen in the humble position OF a camel
driver Beaten by his master, exhausted BY thirst
and hunger, he falls on the ground, desiring to
die, when suddenly an angel appears, and shows
him, in a dream, the road which leads to his
fathers house. The rebellious son arises, and
walks in that direction.
The last act repre- eas the return Of the prodgal
son, and the opera ends with an apotheosis, IN
which the Almighty is seen receiving at his feet
the angels carrying to him the pardon Of their pro-
tege. This last tableau is really sublime to the
minds of many Frenchmen.
Messieurs DesplecAin, Sechan, Camoon, and
Thierry, who have painted the scenes, have done
wonders, and their talent has added much attrac-
ton to the great work Of nj. Auber The music
belongs to the best style Of the famed composer,
and the melodies contained in the partition are
charming. and stamped with elegance and dis
tincton. The music of the ballet is, indeed, be-
witchiDg.
M Massol, who performed the role ofthe father,
and NJ Roger, who played the part of the Enfant
Prologue, Azael, were received with the highest
marks Of appreciation. Madame Laborde, in the
part of Nephte, displayed her best vocaization
Mesdames Cameron and Plunkett, the charming
dancer, won their part of the laurels
The sight of the house, ON FRIDAY last was
really magnificent The President was in his phi
waite box, with the Princess Mathilde Demidotf,
and three ministers. Madame Aguado, throned
also in her saloon box, and the most prominent
men in the diplomatic corps, or In the republic OF
belle lettres, had seats. This event will long be
remembered in Paris, and the Enfant Prologue"
is destined to have long run. Despite this sue.
cess, M. Scribe is already engaged IN writing
new opera for Alboni, who will reappear next year
in the month of April, and will sing part in that
novelty, which Is entitled " La Corbellle
d'Orapges"-the Basket of Oranges.
The second event have to mention is the grand
ball. preceded by dinner, given on Tuesday last,
at the City Hall, in the ancient sale dn trons AT
\ half past six O'Clock, Louis Napoleon arrived, in
company with several of his ministers, and two
officers. M Berger, the project of La Seine,
and M earlier, the Project of Police, were in at
/ tendance al the great door OF the City Hall, and
welcomed him in the most polite At
seven o'clock the President entered the hall of the
banquet, which was illuminated IN the most gor-
geous style, and gave the most brilliant coup d9a
A profuslon of natural flowers had been scattered
all the building, and the fragrant smell OF this
improvsed garden was really oriental. One hun.
dred and eighty guests took seats around the tables,
Il
of course, The place of honor, and at his side were
seated Nj, Dupin, the Speaker of the Legislative
Assembly, and M Lanquetier, chief of the Com
mon Council Among the other guests were a
great number of representatives., several me mbers
of the Bonaparte family, and among.them, NJ. Napo-
leon Bonaparte, repre- sentative OF the Montagnard
party, and Colonel of one of the legions of militia
Of the baniteus; the Archbishop of Paris, and two
of his grand Wears. The French army was repre-
scented there by the Generals Changarnier, Care
let, Gmllaber, Foret, Samboul, Julien, Penot,
Petit, Rebel, &c; the magisiracy, by Messrs.
DE PoIialis, Trop Long, De Belleyme, Lascour.
&c. M. Dargout, Chief of the Bank, was also
present, with all the dgnitares Of our French re-
public, Messrs. Theirs, Guizot, Mole, &c.
/ AT the end of the banquet, M. Berger rose, and,
after having bowed to the President, delivered a
very neat speech, which expressed the sentiments
of hope and confidence which were relied on in the
person of Louis Napoleon. 'The city of Paris"
is TO be desired that the great capital of France
will be forever in a state OF prosperity"
The answer of the President was concise, and
well expressed. In his speech, as well as in his
message, he gave solemn oath TO maintain his
position, end to wait the decision Of the people.
The speech was received with the utmost en-
tbusasm
The dinner ended at halfpast eight o'clock, and
Immediately after the door of the private saloon
opened and the President entered the galleries, in
which were already assembled the ladies and gen.
tlemen invited TO the ball The magnihcencc OF
the preparations made for this event-the admirable
architecture of the city hall, which has just been
renovated and regilt anew-everything rendered
the ball equal TO any OF the scenes invented by the
author OF the Thousand and One Nights" The
toilets of the ladies were irreproachabe, and the
number Of those whose charms were still aug
mented by profusion Of diamonds was really i'm.
mense. IL would be necessary for me to have
kelf of the Nor York Herald al my disposal to
describe the thousand robes worth being men,
toned Ii will be enough TO say that these fair
charmers were courted BY a host OF gallant men,
who stayed from nine TO four O'Clock, in the midst
OF thrilling music, the raptures OF polkas and ma
zouIkss and last not the least the delicaces OF the
choicest refreshments, and the luxury of refined
psft soppr, on a large scale.
/ was told by an aritbmetician Of the highest
fame, NJ. Ampere, who present with me at
this festival, that he had calculated the num-
Der of guests al 5000 pretty large party, as
you may see; and, may assure you, that never
saw anything equal TO IT,
Whilst we are enjoying such a splendid dream,
is il not terrible TO think that We are asleep en- the
brink Of an abyss, and that the r0ngts are watch
ing for the moment 10 annihilate peace' This ter
rife thought has often been present 10 the minds
Of our statesmen, and they have often deemed II
prudent to avoid the danger In order to reach the
aim, another city has been named for the future
seat OF government
Paris has escaped a danger really terrific This
was " TO be, or net TO be-" The question was pre-
sented, the other day, to the National Assembly,
and the life" of Paris was very low for about half
an hour The great capital Of La Belle France was
TO be no more capital, and Versailles had been Sc
lected IN It's place. Caesar, the senate, and the
knights Of the republic, were about leaving Rome,
ana transporting their p,nats IN the bduttsm. For
tunately, wisdom preponderated, add Pars still re-
mains The great metropolis Of the world.
In order to retain the fame which Is attached TO
lis name, Paris will do ts best this winter to be very
gay; and, despite the shocking position OF incert-
Jude in which we are, am persuaded we ahall have
Jolly winter. The President has opened has saloon,
and the fret rece ption, the 9TH inst, was at.
tended by more than three thousand i've hundred
persons The soiree began at half past nine o'clock,
by the presentation Of several guests TO Louis Ma
poleon by the ambassadors, Among those who had
The most TO do, wac Mr.. Rives, who introduced TO
the President more than fifty Americans, for each
of whom the chief of the government found polite
and kind word, remembering " that he was little
Yankee, having been the host Of the United states
for some time" The ball room OF the Elysce has
been changed. A new dancing floor has been
erected IN the garden aud Il II much preferable 10
that used last winter for the same purpose A pro-
fusipn of has beer acafterpd every where Al