Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-10-21
Translated FOR til. washington Sentinel.
THE EXILE OF LOUIS PHILIPPE.

sohe CONVERSATIONS nelu Dy Louis Fhlilppe, IN
the last years of his life, with two witty men of
much talent, NM. Scribe and Halevy, whom
l am happy to reckon among my friends.
Jules Janin learning that Halevy intended
to visit Esher, the residence Of the Duchess of
Orleans, with whom he had the honor of being
acquainted, begged him to hand the ex.King
Louis Philippe one of his former works, richly
bound, and bearing the royal escutcheon. That
work was the Chemin de Traverse.
Once in the presence of the Duchess, M.
Halevy manifested the desire of obtaining an
audience Of the King. Instantly M. Boismilin
came with the information that the King would
receive him the next day at Claremont. Ha-
levy attended punctually on the day and hour
appointed for his reception. He was received
in the Kings bedroom Louis Philippe was
laying upon his bed, covered with green silk
comfort; he was dressed in his usual manner;
his face was lean, and yellow hue covered
his cheeks, formerly animated with the vermil-
lion of health; his head was naked, and so
poor was his general appearance that he did
not look like the same man. He told M.
Halevy to give his thanks to Jules Janin for
his acceptable souvenir; then he spoke of poll.
tics for about an hour. General Dumas was
present at the conversation. The King justi-
lied himself for having left Paris.
with the doctrine, the king reigns and does
not govern-ls roi regne ct ne gourer1,e pas
they had placed me under the impossibility of
acting said Louis Philippe. "In the eyes of
France / wal but an old miser boarding up
millions in foreign countries, and making
nightly crops of wood in the forests of the
States.
ION the morning of the oath of February,
visited the post of the national guard, at the
Tuilleries yard; found there battalion of the
first legion, which received me with the words
P'Oe la reforme! My reign was at an end
was obliged by accepting the reform, to &C
cept and submit to house of deputies whose
leaders would have been men of Ledru Rollins
stamp; consequently resigned in favor of my
great grand child. / thought in thus doing
to work in view of the interests of France"
The king was moved in pronouncing these
last words.
"But, Monsieur Halevy, let us speak now of
your own affairs. One of your partitions is
going to be given at the London opera, the
subject of which is, perhaps, not properly Sc.
lected. La Tsmpesta is too fantastic poem.
Had been in your position / would have CON-
posed Henry VIII" (Hereupon the king
invented, in the presence of the distinguished
whole scenario of Henry VIII,
'ften quoting verses of Shakspeare.) "Since
Scribe is coming to London, relate my
scenario to him." said the king. an. Scribe
should prefer to hear it from the mouth of the
King himself" replied M. Halevy. This con.
versation was interrupted by a distinguished
English writer, Mr.. Croker, who had Just pub
ished, in an English review, very remarkable
article about the revolution of February. The
ing introduced NJ. Halevy to the newcomer. |
IN. Croker" said Louis Philippe, "tell NJ.
ialevy that know your Shakespeare almost by
eart." Every few Englishmen are acquainted
nth our great poet as well as his majesty is"
eplied Mr.. Croker. Soon after, NJ. Halevy
ook leave of his illustrious interlocutor, by
'hom he was urged to come to see him again.
A few days after this audience, M. Scribe ar
ived at London. Both poet and mposer
we're invited to dine at Claremont. The King
'as indisposed and could not be present at the
inner. In the evening he went down in the
arlor, ard took MN. Scribe and Haevy apart
n corner of the room at the same time he
old the Queen to join them. He then recited,
nth the minutest details of the scenery, the
We acts of his opera of Henry VIII. The
lueen seemed TO encourage the conversation
he was happy whenever the King did not
peak of politics Louis Philippe received
-om NJ. Scribe the engagement Of writing his
pera and setting it in order. On the eve Of their
eparture, the two future co-laborers of the
ling went to St. Leonard, on the sea shore
he King had left Claremont. NJ Scribe read
is work, to several parts of which the King
bjected. The poet defended his ideas. More
nan once he said "Sire, your majesty has
OF yet the experience Of the stage; when you
ave worked for it, you will know that long de-
elopments Of character are dangerous, espe.
tally in operas. That kind Of composition re-
uires situations easily understood, by which
be talent and genius Of the musician can be
Inspired. The King reluctantly yielded to
nese observations; he showed himself, how.
yer, much satisfied with the work Of Scribe.
NJ. Halevy," said he, with sadness, "please write
he music of that opera for the English stage;
on know / am not allowed to 20 and hear
in France" Halevy engaged himself to look
Or some old English tunes. al will sing you
very fine one" said the King ait isa glee."
the King sung the air. Halevy
Irote the notes Of the glee as the King was
nging. "Now," said he, 81 must place the
lords beneath the music" Then he took the
aper from the hand Of the musician and wrote
lem himself.
"Once at Paris. YOU can say that still write