The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1858-05-06

L
| condescended to such a step.
Some time past, I furnished you with letter
showing forth the inordinate love of titles man
Tested by some of my countrymen, and now let
me give you q description of one of the many
priva equipages belonging to American resi-
dents in Paris. Two bsys with gilded harness,
and the baronial crown ON all the prominent
parts, proudly draw carriage of the latest de-
sign, with coat Of arms on the doors large
enough to mount tavern sign-post. The
coachman is rugged out in violet velvet plush
breeehes, white stockings, and shoes with i'm
mense gilt buckles. The liveries of light drab
cloth, ornamented with large gilt buttons like
wise bearing the coat of arms; silk cords are
suspended over the shoulder, waistcoat en-
broidered with gold lace, hat with wide gold
band and for midsble cocksde, a pair of nous
taches Ia rat tail, q gilded handled whip, COM
plete this republican establishment. The foot
man is in the same livery, of course. The
| tasteess contrast of colors, and conspicuous
appearance, indicstes the parent, or an in
mate of Q lunatic asylum. .,y-.r- rs4sss -
The greet concert season is closed spring
has set in, and the opulent are already leaving
for the country. Concerts in Paris are not, as
in Germany or in Italy, attractive to ell Glasses
OF society; here, they are confined to pfofes-
sionsl musicians, and to few amateurs be.
|
part are gotten up for the purpose of introdu-
cling to the world some unknown artist from
unknown parts. cay world, because Paris ia
looked upon as the highest tribunal for the arts
and the opinion EXPIRE ssed here is the standard
| for other civilized countries. For this reason,
all artists who wish to make themselves known,
endeavor to make q grand debut in Paris. The
| quality of the audience is of no sort of conse-
quence, and, let the process be what it may,
the journalists report favorably in proportion
| 10 the hberalty of the artist. A failure ia
thing unheard of, artists being acquainted with
the steps necessary to prevent it. The tickets
given to the friends of the artists, who again
extend their favors to the cooks the concierge,
and to great variety of persons in that station
of life. The artist is nevertheless represented
as having played with success to the best of
connoisseurs and the elite of society. Those
reports have the desired effect in the distance.
We sometimes hear of an American artist
| giving a concert at Flerge's or Pleyel's concert
room, where they crack the ceiling with the
melodous strains of their powerful voices, rival
| ling the nightingale in sweetness and the lark
in ease and grace; SURPRISING Cat.alani and
Mahbran-in short, everything yet heard in
the shape of human voice. But there it ends,
and nothing more is ever heard of that extra
ordinary phenomenon, who was neither request
|
to accept an engagement at the Grand Opera,
to delight the ears of their Msjesties. Self.
esteem ascribes the want of success to jealousy,
prejudice, intrigue, and to great want of taste,
in the public.
To create q Juror in Paris requires uncom-
mon talent and cultivation, and an engagement
at the Grand Opera is not so easy matter as
might be thought; artists of fame from all
countries aspire to that honor, and but few
reach it. Many Prima Donna, Of merit and
reputation, has failed in the attempt. How is
it then possible for a novice, beginner who
has not studied seriously. without school, expe-
renee, and without the fen sacre, TO pass the
severe ordeal composed Of critics such as Ros.
SIM, Verdi, and other maiestros of great merit.
We are far from saying that there are no good
voices among the Americans; but to excel, and
arrive at that degree of perfection and power
! which good opera singer requires, the endow
ed aspirant must apply herself to indefagitable
study and frequent the society of artists for
years. 4
! The most interesting concerts are those given
by the nobility of the Fig. St. German. Ex.
| traordinary talents, assisted by the best pro-
fessors, are there to be heard. Those concerts
are strictly private, and accessible only t.
friends; and there only is to be seen that truly
polished French society grated on the OLD
branches of the time of Louis XIV and XVI.
that elegance and ease of manner, that true po~
likeness and cultivation, peculiar to the time OF
those reigns These concerts are generally
preceded by q comedy or vaudeville, writteE
and composed for the occasion, both played an6
| sung by amateurs giving evidence of thas
rare talent which would make the fortune of the
poor scholars of the Conservatore, installing
taste for talent, and believing him or himself
to be natures favorite.
The mania for dueling at Washington, of
which we have recently read so much in the
American newspapers, has spread its contagious
influence as far as this place. Mr.. CALHOUN,
our Secretary of Legation, differing with Mr..
Brevoort, of New York, on some point of diplo-
macy, the latter unceremoniously gave the Sec,
rotary black eye in consequence of which, o
challenge ensued. The parties went to Bel.
GUM, and fired away at each other like brave
fellows, but not like good marksmen; the balls
did not take effect, and the matter ras arranged
| by court Of honor to the satisfaction of all
parties. ~rs
Lola Montez has come to Paris, to educate
her daughter for the ballet. The illustrious
mother has in the mean time taken an engage
ment at cafe chantant for the season, at
salary of 1000 francs, ($4 O0O,) where she will
probably perform the Indian scalp dance and
LIE Pas de Kangaroo. The former she learned
from the red skins of the far West, and the lat
ter from those long-limbed deformities of Aus.
tralia. -. a
SKETCHES FROM THE LAST VOLUME OF BAN
CRoFTs HISTORY OF THE UNIT7D STATES.
| WASHINGTON
Washington was then forty three years of
age. In stature, he little exceeded six feet /,
his limbs were sinewy end well proportioneG |;
his chest broad his figure stately, blending
dignity Of presence with ease. His robust con.
stitution had been tried and invigorated by his
early life in the wilderness, his habit of occupa-
ton out of doors, and his rigid temperance; ; TO
that few equalled him in strength of arm or
power OF endurance. His complexion was foriJ;
his hair dark brown his head in Its shape per.
fectly round. His broad nostrils seemed formed
70 give expression and escape to scornful anger.
his dark blue eyes, which we're deeply set, had
an expression OF resignation, and an earnest
ness that was almost sadness
AT eleven years old, left an orphan to the
care OF an excellent but. unlettered mother, he
grew up without learning. OF arithmetic ard
geometry ne acquired just knowledge enough
, 70 be able to practice measuring land: but Sin
Q his instruction at school taught him mt an
much as the photography or rules of Gram mar
OF his own tongue. His culture was sltooethsr
bis own work, and he was in the striictast aan 40
: selfmade man yet from his early life he
never seemed uneducated. At sixteen. he vent
into the wilderness as a surveyor. and for three
!. years continued the pursuit, where the fore.t.
: trained him, in meditatjve solitude, to freedom
. and largeness Of mind ) and nature revealed 70
. him her obedience to serene and silent laws
. In his intervals from toll, he seemed slvavs 10
2 ka attracted to the beat man and - T.. =.