The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-06-17

The Queen of Holland and the Prince Royal
of Wurtem6erg Guests at the 7uiteries "A
DaeL b. ttoeen The 90 editor Of the Figaro and
S,,b. Lje,keaant-T The HorticulturaiA annual
Exhibition at The Pdlais de IadIstrie-Mlte.
Rist,ri in Paedre = Mr.. Pfoudhon M.
II me. Fs1cs ri b. aI
To the Editor of the National Era: 30
Since the first of May, we have had q success.
sion of cold rainy days, which have kept vege-
taiion sadly in check, and spring garbs are laid
ide till the gentle southern zephyrs again ia
vor US.
The long expected International Congress has
Of length been in session for several days. The
result is not yet known, and the newspapers
dare not breathe word until the Moniteur opens
its columns 10 the snxious public.
At the Tuileries, never failing festivities are
offered in honor of the Royal guests nov there.
The Queen OF Holland, daughter of the King of
Wurtemberg, and cousin to Prince Napoleon
aud Princess Mathilde, will spend some weeks
here and at Fontainebleau, and her only brother,
heir to the crown of Wurtemberg, is also here,
10 pay his humble respects to the man of the
day.
The preference shown to the soldiers by the
Emperor makes these iron eaters insuff.rably
oyerbearing. The younger officers, especially,
show heir Importance, where they are favored
with admission, and sometimes give great dis
satisfaction to those not liking to be jostled and
pushed about at the risk of having their garbs
rented by their formidable spurs. Such repeat
ed aud ungentlemanly behaviour called forth
from the co-editor of the witty Figaro some pi-
qlante criticisms on the manners and the beha.
vour Of the new school of sub-.ieutenants. His
witicls ns outraged the delicate -- point
dhOnneur of the sous of Mars, and the Figaro
was scarcely distributed, when Henri de Pene,
author of the article, received a challenge.
Henri, true to his nation, accepted it and, at
the appointed hour, appeared in the forests of
Saint German, in company with his seconds
The brave officer who took upon himself to
svenge the offence in the name of all the sub.
lieuenants of the French army was on the field
Of battle, escorted by his friends. Swords were
drawn, and the encounter took place in due
form. Henri, the man of genius, wounded the
professional twordsman in the arm the blood
fled freely enough from the slight wound to
wipe away the stain from that delicate point
dhOnnear the combatants shook hands, ard
were on the point of leaving the grounds, when
ore of the seconds Of the wounded sublieuten.
ant stepped forward, and insuted Henri de
Pene in the grossest possible manner, striking
hinn oil IN, he foo op1 hall
the bewildered man 10 draw bis sword without
delay, which Mr.. de Pene did not hesitate to do ;
but his antagonist, being an experienced duel
list felled him 20 the ground in few seconds,
nortaly wounded. This unprecedented proceed.
ing on the part of a second has created great
excitement among the Parisians. But what
does il all amount to2 There is not channel
open for the expression of public opinion the
poor co editor will most probably expire, and
the sub-lieutenant may possibly be transferred
to another regiment; there will be the end of
the matter.
Our own capital has of late unfortunately
been The theatre disgraced by many such en-.
tounters but, deplorable as they are, there still
exists popular opinion in the United States,
the indignation of which can be freely and frank.
ly expressed in tie strongest and most appro.
pirate terms, both in print and by word of
mouth.
The Imperial and Central Meeting of the
Horticultural 5 .cie;y is now holding its annual
exhibition at the Palais de flndustrie, in the
Champs Eiysees. This palace, you will re.
member, was erected for the universal exhibi.
lion of 1855, and is an enormous stone edi6ce,
rooled over with glass, making of it a magnif.
cent greenhouse. This vast arena is laid out
In the most tasty and artistic manner, little
mounds rising here and there to break the mo-
nOiony, embellished with clusters of shrubs in
full bloom; in the midst of which, a refreshing
little rivuiet winds It's way, eplivened by swans
and ducks, with rustic bridges occasionally
thrown over IT,
The rivulet takes its source at a rich Jet d eau,
to spread its refreshing element over that pre-
coUs and beautiful variety of aquatic plants.
The northern fr-trees tower majesticslyaover
rare collections of yuccas, paine, and other
ofsprings Of the tropical chimes.
The rich greensward is chsrmingly blended
and udded with masses of flowers of the rich.
est hue. Here you behold splendid group
OF pecny arborescent of sixty varieties there,
the most charming collection of rododendrons,
among which there was a Jenny Lind, sweet
as herself; then there is forest of roses, com.
posed of all the colors of Natures rich pallet ;
lnnumera5le pelargoniums, and thousands of
curious dollhouse plants. Under the gigantic
gallery there are garden utensils, books on hor.
hcnlture, various garden furniture, and all
sorts OF inventions for killing injurious insects
making complete exhibition, not only charm.
ing to the cursory vister, but highly interesting
to the amateurs and professional gardeners.
There is also a large collection of the products
OF Algeria, which attracts particular attention
from its variety and beauty.
Madame RistorI5 performance of Racine's
Pnedre, considered Rschers sublimest produc
uon, has for the two past weeks excited pres,
curiosity and interest, the house filled to the
remotest corners by public breathless to
praise or condemn, considering it q presump-
ton on the part of foreigner to perform an
Italian translation Of French tragedy, immor
iaized by the Interpretation of the greates
French tragedienne. We wonder, indeed, al
Madsme Risiori's courage; and great must b.
The confidence she feels in her own power, tc
venture before such a public in a character
rendered familiar TO them by Miss Rachel,
frequent perforuan of it. Racine's Phedr,
Is Is undoubtedly the finest tragedy in French
erature. Phedre, the heroine, is condemned
oy the memorable luminosity of Venus, to be th,
victim OF an unlawful passion for her step SOD
nlppoiytus, and she undergoes all the suffer
lngs springing from hopeless love, rage, jeal
ousy, madness, and despair. Madame Ristorii
conception OF these grand tragic elements wa
As widely different from Miss Racheps, as ART
tneir natures. The fJrmer is ardent fervent
ana passionate in her love, whilst the latteI
was herce and terrible in her passion. Mis-,
nAcheFs performance, as an artistic production
was doubtless superior to Madame Ristori's
ou' the latter is infinitely more capable of Sc
ouE'hg 10 herself the tender sympathies of bel
auu.ence than was Rachel. Her French audi
Ince was not even able to draw a comparison
between them; and yet so gratifying was bel
performance Of that well know n character, from
Deg'nning to end, Loud applause, bouquets, ane