New-York daily tribune., 1856-01-16
EprCATIoY OF GIRLS AT ST. CrR.

Correspondence of The n. Y. Tribune.
PARIS, Nov. - l-55.
Limited space compelled an abrupt conclusion to my
late review of the history of St. Cyr. We have already
seen that worldly wisdom sancted 10y piety and pol
ished by wit was the end first proposed in the system
Of education adopted by the founders of the House OF
st. Louis.
The pupils were taught to talk, to write, TO dance,
to make music and prayers in short TO be WITTY grace
ful and charming as only the women Of the seven
teenth century could be.
Tie profound sciences of mathematics snd meta
physics, 70 boldly investigated by our modern misses,
were undreamed of at st. Cyr. Instead of algebrac
formulas the girls committed to memory the plays Of
their cotomporaIy pocts-Iphegenie. Andromsque and
Pauline were their constant companions and models.
Aspirations to grandeur OF soul were inspired by
constant contemplation of great actions and noble pao-
sions.
The history and literature which occupy 40 large
nlace in orr education were learned by the girls at St.
Cyr from the lips OF one remarkably identified with
both.
Turerne and Condo were cotemporary with Maiame
de Mantenon Racine, I,oileau, Bossuet and Ftneon
were Ler frequent visitors. Madame de Sevigae had
listened TO Comedies manuscript plays at the Hotel
dc Rambouiiet and her Letters nnodeis ior al poster
ty were the continued admiration Of the court.
The memoirs of st. Simon were the daily I0t-
tirrs of courtier; Madame dc Lafayette the Duke
de la Rocheiouoauld, the Duchess de Longueyllle,
Pascal and biz sister, aud all the piodgles OF Fort
Royal. belonged 10 generation still on the stage.
The age Of Louis XIV. was at the acme OF its glory
All that is srperlaiye in literature, history and co-
querce was then the spontaneous expression OF tht
present The French Revolution could not be fore
seen, republican notions were unborn, aud America
was in the embryo of it, development. The great
Rebellion in England had just occurred Bossuet had
pronounced the funeral Grafton OF Henrette OF FRANCE
rs.f( fharia he
H. and his queen were stl exes at st. Germain.
The history Of the present WAS of thrilling interest,
and Ike panorama, was spread out before the house
Of 1t. Louis.
impaired al st. Cyr was superficial, because its pre-
rcllbod duties consisted chiefly of religious nstruc-
tion, needle-YoIk domestic economy, music aud
dancing.
Eyer DAYS occulreno es impaired the highest know
edge A worthy Discussion and expression Of ideas
thus gained must naturally have been the chief object
of the secular training OF the pupils. Conversation
was the mania of the age; it became science at st.
Cyr Madame de Manteuon, in spite of her horror OF
worldly friyOites. could not be insensible to the
charms of Wit and the elegancies of style. She had
PLAYED too grand role i'll that society whose passion
refined expression, TO be indifferent TO IT. culture
in her cherished Institution The beautiful language
which she spoke herself with so much grace could NOT
be neglected there.
To this desire of ncucating noble style Esther
owes It's origin AT first it was stipulated with Racine
everything else there it 70 be unique. Madame De
Maienon was charmed with the first reading OF Es-
ther. Her vanity was fatered by allusions to her
self other characters, too had their applications aud
traits Of resemblance.
Beside the culture OF the pupils, Madame d. Main
tenon had an goror object IN pcrfecting the enter
tainments at ST. Cy. 1t was to divert the King from
biz costly ictes and to inerc, him in more simple and
innocent pleasure. Hence no pains were spared to
render Esther worthy Of 20 august spectator.
Racine and Boileau selected the actresses from
among the pupils, adapted the cLaracters ana per-
lecied their defamation. Tbs stage cenery was pre-
pared by the Kings Decorator and Royal musicians
accompanied the cborusses with their instruments
ReLearsa!s were heard by Madame de Mantenon and
a few private friend- and when all wa considered
sufficiently perfect the King himself came to the spec
tacle with the Prince de tOnde-lhe SteaI CDhoc "D'
had wept with Camille.
The King wa. enchanted. Nothing hut Esther wa.
talked of at Nersaiues Princes Oh the blood ana the
randest segneurs demanded only TO see the spectacle
which excited such interest at court; Ort the King
and Madame MantenOn were ehery Of theu invita-
tion- TO thee entertainments.
Three crowned head were present at one representa-
tion-Lous XIV. James III. OF Eng and and bis Queen
The King acted a. geusdanne OF his noble audience,
and was accustomed TO stand himself at the door,
holding hi. cane il to prevent any one entering
who had not received Royal invitation.
Five repcttions followed, which were honored by
all that was most iu-rious by birth, diguty, wit o
wisdom Bi.hops prisces. kings and saints were IN
yited Bos-uet FtneOn, Madame de COulanges and
Madame de SGyigne, all were present. a letter irom
the latter 10 Madqne GrgEan describing one oi these
f;tes is full of ust criticism and the most Charming
female VANITY. She declares herself N favor; the
King addressed Ler remarks, and thus che was
"thl Cbect Of al envy
Esther had 20 great at ~. Cyr that tue hing
desired another drama adapted TO the same perform
ers But Athslie" was destaed to . less good for
tune than its predecessor.
The performance of Esther had beeu excused by
Bossuct and FtBeon and other Je-uit9 OF the highest
virtue Yet Madame De Maiutenon had her scruples
r.-pecting the results it might produce. Athac VIZ.
acted only few times privately at st. CyT; aud
finally thee entertainment. were entirely banshed
from tie ia titrtion. The various Influences 20 which
the House If -. Louis was exposed had developed
evil which alarmed it, founder.
n Cyr had become the center OF Al vision. No.
only The institution had become the object of the most
exravagant praise, but it. teachers and pups were
surrounded by atterer aud expo-ed to constant adG-
lation. The ma gnifcence Of the establishment, it,
proximity to NeTsalcs the frequent wits Of tie King,
TIE amo-t constant presence Of Madame de Mantle
non, tie pomp which had atendedit- entertaInments-
all these influences combined had Inflated pupils and
teachers with pride, vanity and love OF the world AZ
hast 20 thought their stcm superintendent anh the
severest reioTms were resolved upon.
The -ane pains DOW taken - humble tue
srirt Of tic arl- lad toe before employed 10 ~