The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1857-03-21
TUE DAILY GAZETTE.
7GlSeFIIANEOOS.
ioorrsspondencs ofths Saturday Evening Post
THE RAT THEATRE In PARIS.

fCorrespUndenes Cf the sstufuhs Evening
THE RAT THEATRE IN PARIS.
While the absolutist Governments
i the Continent are drifting to their
destruction, an ingenious Swede has
managed 10 train a company OF rats,
who perform various plays, to the
greet amusement OF the discerning
public,' admitted at two francs .
head. children half price, to this
novel theatre.
The latter consists OF a small enclo-
sure, open in front, like an ordinary
etage. but in proportions in keeping
with the actors; its walls are adorn-
el with red and yellow hangings, and
a gaily painted curtain rises and tails
in the most orthodox style, at the pro-
,nr places. The spectators are seated
IN tiers, opposite the stage; but the
Lillipulian stature Of the actors re-
quiring close proximity on the part OF
cir audience, only about thirty can
witness the performance at time
1t appears that the Swede has
,louble corps oihispeeuliar performers
zach corps performing one piece, and
,e only. The one on the programme
,ge hold in our hands, is entitled The
Modern Lothario, or the Perils OF
we. ;,
The iootlights are blazing in all
their glory, az orchestra, composed OF
me piano, one hnt and one fiddle,
me doing their best, when the tall
figure OF the manager makes its ap,
,earance in the front ofthe stage
Ladies and gentlemen, he says, with
"A bow, and then leaning gracefully on
:, stout stick he holds in his hand,
you are about TO assist at perfectly
unique and unrivalled spectacle. The
,our 10 oted act ors on whom have,
isr many years, been operating, have
,,ow-as am confident you will do
ice the honor to admit when you have
seen their periormances--arrlyed at
Il degree If histrionic perfection not
always attained by their two footed
rivals. But am trespassing on your
atience. and will now, ladies and
Gentlemen, introduce TO your enligbt'
I'd appreciation, the novel troupe
over which | have the honor to pre-
side tGrsa applause. ;.
As the mana er concludes his
speech. which he finishes OFT with
beautiful bow, he strikes three sharp
l!ows on the floor with his stick; the
,,,rtain rises, and fine whiskered
lat. in an elegant dishabille, lowered
dressing gown, plaid inexpressibles,
shining slippers, "nd smoking-cap,
eet iauptily on one side Of his head
evidently dandy Of the very first
water--is seen at a table, on which
are the elements of a delightful break
last. To these he is doing ample jus
lice, his sharp eyes glancing in every
direction, ana his moutl. working
Nth amazing celerity, as be dips his
nasrp phiz into the little dishes OF
reese parings, bran, crumbs Of bis
init and sugar, and so on. The table
md the breakfast service, we remark,
IRE of painted tin; in TACT, dolls
Dlaythings, as is also the chair On
which the happy gormand'zer tries
repeatedly but vainly Though with.
out leaving of eating) to seat himself
"a human fashion, His efforts to ac-
Domplish this feat, which he evident
ly considers to be very important
part of his role, are very funny. They
almost distract his attention from the
repast he is making; but all his ex-
e,tiops fail to keep him in the desired
position: and he can do nothing more
fl.an slip up and down against the seat
Of the little tin chair, thus inhicting
An amount OF friction on certain por.
ton of his handsome pcwon which
one fears must eventually tell upon
IFS beauty and glossiness, to say moth
ing of their effect on the dressing
gown.
While the gay Lothario is thus
making the best use OF his time, two
ANAL doors, at the bottom OF the stage
~ suddenly open, and two ladies,
oi the same cat hating species, enter,
oI course on their hind legs. They
ale as elega otly attired as the gentle
u,an whom they came to visit; fash
ionable rotundity Of skirts, hounced
draperies, gorgeous shawls, and bon
nets laden with flowers and lace
One of them, nevertheless, carries
broom in her hand, The other carries
a feather brush and a dustsr. -
They advance mincingly towards the
Interesting objects of their common but
nnsuspeeting affections, who has stop
ped nibbling in evident uneasiness Of
mind, foreseeing 'squall, HE d sa-
4acity is not disappointed. The Ia
lies, advancing with open arms, to
lestow ON him loving salute, sud
denly become aware OF each others
resence. and a sharp shrek from
nach is the signal OF an encounter IN
which after belaJoring one another
with the broom and the feather brush
they soon discard these weapons 40
insufficient, and fly at each others
physiognomy with their claws. bon
nets, wells and bits of hounces strew
the floor; the air resounds with their
infuriated squeaks, and at last they
both tumble upon the philosophic 10
thario, who has quietly resumed his
breakfast, but who now falls prostrate
under the combined weight OF the
Dulcineas, upsetsing the table in his
tall, and lying stunned and motionless
among the remains ofthe repast.