The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1857-02-12
Foreign Correspondence of the Era.
LIFE IN PARIS.

IARIS, Lee. ~, lo0o.
My Dear c. B.:
Were it possible to hope that this would reach
you ere the close of the year, though trite, ]
would be tempted to wish you happy new
year, made much of here among intimate
friends. In general way, the good wishes are
expressed by simple exchange of cards
through the post, the postage being reduced to
half on that occasion, to facilitate this point O!
etiquette. t5
Paris is now arrayed in its winter garb; the
streets are crowded with merry blooming faces,
bearing marks of their recent return from the
rest and health, following the example of the
Court now settled at the Tulleries, a signal for
the commencement of winter gaie.ies TIE
Prince of Prussia is enjoying saries of .fetes,
given in honor of his visit to the Emperor oil
the French, and these festivities will acquire, il
is said, renewed eclat on the arrival of the
Grand Duke and Duchesse Constantine of Rus
STA, soon expected here.
The first ball of the season has just taken
place at the Tuilleries, and, as usual, was quite
brilliant; the dresses we're very beautiful, uni.
versaly consisting of tulles, laces, and gauzes
certainly much more appropriate tot the ball room
than heavy silks or satins, and considered by
the French ladies of bon ton, IT'LL certain age,)
infinitely more becoming, giving an airy and
sylph.like appearance, adding greatly to the en-
chantment of the scene.
Double skirts are more in rogue than foun.
ces, both for carriage and ball dresses. The
first, of MORE antique, is still much worn, and
considered elegant. The latter, of transparent
materials; the upper skirt, looped Up all round
in various ways, with wreaths of flowers or
green leaves, giving the wearer the effect OF
emerging from Murio Cloud" The skirts
are still increasing in size; steel hoops and
crinolires upon crinolines 1.-THE butt of the carl.
ca.urists) are more than ever in favor. The
Charioart has just brought out an amusing
caricature of two ladies in full dress crossing
the street, blocking it up so completely as to
prevent the passage of any vehicles.
Bonnets are still worn very small, to fit ex.
actly round the face, without falling back as
much as they did last year; the tour de tete is
very full, to accompany the face, and made of
the lightest material possible, in fuller illusion,
mixed in velvet or chenille flowers, as we'll as
small light tufts of ostrich feathers this new
ornament is gracefully elegant. Feathers will
be generally worn, not only on each side of
the bonnet, but laid on fat round the front out
side. Carriage or dress bonnets are general.
ly of tulle or Grape on foundation lace, trimmed
with either blond laces feathers, chenille, or
velvet flowers, occasionally intermixed with
folds of velvet Street bonnets are of ouilte
silk and drawn velvet, of two colors, gray and
red, black and red, &C., the feathers to CORES
pond. Il
Nantes are larger than they were last year,
still much trimmed with rich furs, fringes, and
laces. II
l have been led On in this strain upon fash.
ion, forgetting that my American friends are
not SO devoted to dress as the Partisan ladies,
whose proverb is, to be out of fashion is to be
| out of the world" 7.
Knowing your fondness for music, my dear
friend, cannot refrain from closing my letter
with an account Of the debut in La Tracietd of
the charming little Piccoomini," an event
which caused considerable amount of interest,
since it presented, for the first time work of
Verbs, not yet known to the Partisan public,
and introduced young artistic, heralded by all
the praise trumpets of English bombsst and
| Italian ovation.
Countesse Piccolomini, who numbers Popes,
captains. heroes, learned men, &C., among
| her illustrious ancestors, brought together an
assembage OF aristocrats, taking great interest
in the prestige her venerable hlazon gives her.
She did not, however, dazzle this incredulous
Partisan public, distrustful of foreign reputa.
tion it is, nevertheless, yielding little by little,
and it is predicted that she will yet win the
heart of this unrelenting censor. The quality
OF the extensive soprano voice Of this miniature
tragedienne gave me less pleasure than her act
Inc FILL ~ oy,1 l. Il
ton to her extreme youth, very pretty face
and person, will contribute largely to her hope
| for success.
Allow me still to add few words on the fine
arts. Winterhalter's last portrait of the Prince
Imperial and the Empress gives rise to much
comment at this moment.
| l was so fortunate as to be admitted to the
studio of this celebrated artist, and befriended
| by bright midday sun, an uncommon celes.
tial favor at this season. Speaking of the sun.
reminds me of Horace Vernet's comparison of
it at St. Petersburgh. He mentioned in one of
his letters from the Capital of the Cars, "the
sun looks like an orange, wrapped up in gray
botting paper" Our Partisan sun is often
not much brighter; picture viewed with a
dreary light never does justice to the artists
efforts; but, as ] said, we had an uncommon
bright day, and this skillful piece Of art stood
|
young Imperial scion sitting on the lap of his
lovely nother-is full-length portrait of both.
and the tout ensemble is most beautiful. The
artist has made this chubby little fellow the
principai object, and the effect Of the light is
concentrated on this miniature King; the mother
is secondary, yet the whole managed with great
skill. The Empress sits with her back to the
| light, turns her head little to the spectator
is coiffed in her peculiarly becoming style, with
out ornament, robsd in crimson velvet high.
necked dress, trimmed with sable round the
neck, basque, and sleeves, holding the child on
her lap with the left hand.
The Prince Imperial, a large rosy-cheeked
baby, dressed in white muslin, decorated with
the great Cross of the Legion of Honor, looks
happy and content at his admirers, throws up
his plump little feet an naturel sans facon, like
one of his age, evidently not yet troubled with
the part ne shall have to play in the present
dynasty. The child is handsome, has fine
forehead, black eyes, full, short neck, and ap-
parently of a robust constitution, Mr.. Winter
halter assures nae that he is line boy, and not
fattered. The Empress's portrait Is very stri-
I king: de has painted her several times, and
MS nxenesses ~ ~. - are sa. "a = - .a a., uest.
The crimson dress is a splendid accessory to
sae portrait of the child tie arrangement is
very beautiful, and the execution most exqui-
SITE yet subordinate, and in perfect keeping.
Inns is considered one of Winterhalter's best
pictures. have been told that the French
artists were jealous of the favor shown to this
herman portrait painter; in consequence of
which, the Emperor ordered portraits of the
Empress by some of the best French artists,
which did not compare to Winterhalter's in
any respect. He has happy faculty of EN-.
oeiilshing without injury to the resemblance;
his coiorlng is brilliant and natural; his con-