Eastern times., 1853-10-13
Gge storp Geller,
.,. Prom Blackwoods Magazine. H..
THE DUKES DILEMMA
A CHRONICLE OF NIEsENsTEIN.

The close of the theatrical year, which in
France occurs in early spring, annually brings
TO Paris throng Of actors and actresses, the
disorganized elements OF provincial companies,
who repair to the capital to contract engage
fnents for the new season. Paris is the grand
centre to which all dramatic stars converge
the great bazaar where managers recruit their
troops for the summer campaign. In bad
weather the mart for this human merchandise
is at an obscure coffeehouse near the Rue ST.
Honore; when the sun shines, the place
of meeting is in the garden of the Palais Royal
There, pacing to and fro beneath the lime
trees, the high contracting parties pursue their
negotiations and make their bargains. 1t is
the theatrical Exchange, the histrionic BOurSe.
alike curious. Many are the strange discus
sions and original anecdotes that are there par
AIDED. Tragedians, comedians, singers, men
and women, young and old, flock thither in
quest of fortune and good engagement. The
threadbare coats of some say little in favor of
. recent success or present prosperity but only
hear them speak, and you are at once convinc-
ed that then have no need of broadcloth who
are SO amply covered with laurels. 1t is de-
Iightful to hear them talk of their triumphs,
of the storms Of applause, the rapturous bra
vos, the boundless enthusiasm, of the audicn-
ces they lately delighted. Their brows are
oppressed with the weight of their bays
The south mourns their loss ifthey go west,
the north will be enviOus and inconsolable.
AS to othemselves-north, south, east or west
they care little to which point of the com
pass the breeze Of their destiny may wait
them. Thorough gypsies in their habits, ac-
customed to make the best of the passing
hour, and to take small care for the future SO
long as the present is provided for, like sol
diers, they heed not the name of the town so
long as the quarters be good.
1t was a fine morning in April. The sun
shone brightly, and, amongst the numerous
loungers in the garden Of the Palais Royal
were several groups Of actors. The season
was already far advanced all the. companies
were formed, and those players who had not
secured an engagement had but poor chance
of finding one. Their anxiety was legible up
on their countenances. A man of about fifty
years of age walked to and fro, newspaper
in his hand, and to him when he passed near
them, the actors sbowed-respectfully and hope
fully. A quick glance was his acknowledge
ment Of the salutation, and then his eyes re-
verted to his paper, as if it deeply interested
him. When he was out of hearing, the actors,
who had assumed their most picturesque atti-
tude to attract his attention, and who beheld
their labor lost, vented their ill-humor.
'Palthasar is mighty proud, said one; he
has not word TO say to u.s.
Perhaps he does not want anybody re-
marked another 6 think he has no theatre
this year
That would be odd. They say he is clev-
er manager
He may best prove his cleverness by keep
ing aloof 1t is so difficult nowadays to do
good in the provinces. The public is 50 fastid-
ious the authorities are so shabby, so un-
All, my dear fellow, our art is sadly fallen ?
Whilst the disconnected actors bemoaned
themselves, Balthasar eagerly accosted young
man who had just then entered the garden by
the passage of the Perron. The cOfeehouse
keepers had already begun to put out tables
under the tender foliage. The two men sat
down at one of them.
Well, Florival,' said the manager, does
my offer suit you! Will you make one of us!
l was glad to hear you had broken off with
Ricardin. With your qualifications you ought
to have an engagement in Paris, or at first
rate provincial theatre. But you are young,
and, as you know, managers prefer actors of
greater experience and established reputation.
Your parts are generally taken by youths of
ive-and-forty, with wrinkles and grey hairs,
but well versed in the traditions of the stage
with damaged voices but an excellent style.
My brother managers are greedy of great
names; yours still has to become known-as
yet, you have but your talent to recommend
you. will content myself with that content
youAoOh VIII Nhdb OHCl JOu' AAhOo olO
bad, the season is advanced, engagements are
hard to find. Many of your comrades have
gone to try their luck beyond seas. We have
not so far to. go (; we shall scarcely overstep
the bounds Of our ungrateful country Ger
many invites US; it is pleasant land, and
Rhine wine is not to be disdained. | will tell
you how the thing came about. For many
years past have managed theatres in the
eastern departments, in Alsatia and Lorraine
Last summer, having leisure, made an ex-
cursion to Baden-Baden. AS usual it was
crowded with fashionables One rubbed
shoulders with princes and trod upon high
nesses' toe one could not walk twenty yards
without meeting a sovereign. All these
crowned heads, kings, grand-dukes, electors,
mingled easily and afably with the throng of
visitors. Etiquette is banished from the baths
OF Baden, where without laying aside their t.
hes' great personages enjoy the liberty and ad-
vantages of an incognito At the time of my
visit, company of very Indifferent German
actors were playing, two or three times
week, in the little theatre They played to
empty benches, and must have starved but for