The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-02-09
Our Paris COrrcsp0ndc nee.

PANS, Jan. 10, 1861.
Pa'is Gosr-A Ca, feature Of Ameriocm 4drslers the
French Saec-Les Femmes FJrtes--ffeneh Idea Of Ams
ricaaS-7Leatrical Refcym-7hs Aasericaa Bonapare--
.Squirc Uc Boston "Mejum'--7he American Minister
dc, dc.
While the Partisan journals mystifyDg and horry
ing their readers, by discussing American affairs in
manner which exhibits vast amount Of ignorance of the
principles which lie the foundation OF our government,
dramatist with quite much ignorance OF the charac
and Of our people, has undertaken to amusc
the play going community with carcature Of Ameri-
can pecuar,tes NJ Victor sardon CANS his piece "Les
Femmes Fortes The Strong Minded women), and has
drawn crowds every evening Of its performance to
The Vaudeville theatre. The plot is thisA Freuchman,
named Quenen, who has been years living in Anne
RIGA returns France filled with what supposed TO be
the pre- IDEAS and delighted with what supposed
to the prevalent and tastes Of the country He
dresses in extraordinarily outlndi-h style, and
heavy gold watch chain and checkered panaoons and
drinks coffee instead Of wine for his breakfast. He
brings with him American governess, who dresses in
Boomer costume, and who is dry and sharp featured
badly dressed and strong minded He intends that his
two daughters shall the kind Of education which
young American ladies born ard brought in the high
circles supposed to receive That is, that they
be allowed the most complete liberty OF action;
taugh, to ride TO fence TO hunt, to and perform
gy he feats be allowed 10 promenade by moonlight.
with a sentimental cousin 10 60 TO the theatre alone
they please To make visits and attend to business; aud
when there place left omnibus to take seat
the knees Of tho best looking male passenger These
are supposed TO be the accomplishments and habits Of
American young ladies moving in the best circles Of
society.
Gabrielle and Jenny not dsinclned to profit by
this enlarged liberty. An adopted daughter Of
oucnten acts however, their guardian angel,
principally An amorous description. which would,
without her intervention, have proved their rum. II
seems that tonhomme Quenten had gone TO America for
the purpose Of finding nephew Jonathan Quentcn, who
had gone early age 10 seek his fortune In The New
World. He has interest in mandatory, and the
uncle desires that shall be operated together for their
mutual benefit. He does not find the nephew In Amer
ca but inserts an advertisement in the NV YORK HE
RstD which Of course, Jonathan Sees and back
10 his uncle his country residence near Havre.
The author intended to make old Quentin only shadow
| Of Yankee while the nephew is tho animal himself lie
is dressed in that long tailed high coiarcd bluc coat
which supposed TO be the style which Americans af
feet He FOODS tho stage with tobacco juice. His first
words upon entering by God i" and he nterlarls
almost every sentence with this strong and elegant eiacu
laon which Is supposed TO be the favore one in Anne
rican conversation When he no is whiting"
stick with huge bowie knife, with which he also
| casionaly picks his teeth and having sharpcned his
stick down to the fine point Of nothing he seats himself
i wrong eide foremost across chair and commences
hewing the back % u away with his bowie knife. Tho
uncle mildly suggests that he should not thus naltrcat
his furniture. when tho nephew, living another furious
hack claims all the property his Ho raises general
excitement and Is about turning the old ont Of the
house. when the adopted daughter, again assuming tho
role Of 1n,e Onrii makes him fall In love with her
/ tames him Gown, and finally agrees to marry him on
condition his sharing the property with tn family OF
| his unclc-snd 80 the whole thing ends happily.
type e American Manners the play Itself Is funny
but some Of the newspaper comments upon are funner
still. and exhibit intimate acquaintance with our com
try and customs Of people. The f1,s'i,tonnels
critic Gnes fault with the dres. Of VI. Felix who docs
tho hero Of the piece who he says has neither tho air
the style OF an American. " In the United States
he says tho carpenters patent leather boots
Gloves Another critic speaks n Jonathan as the
wild beast Of the Ohio The OF tho Jeyse cnargss
his srtoue upon American customs and says that all the
havo Scripture names aud thinks " difficult
10 reconcile this apparent respect FOR Biblical persoacs
with their favorite amusements of burning nigyerH and
cutting their fellow citizens to pieces with bowie knives
They 20 TO church. he says every sunday, 'an f up
their bloody hands In prayer 20 the Goa VINO makes the
cotton grow" sJonatban," lac reminds his readers,
only Frcp chicd American but "what he asks, would
tkey say at seeing the genuine article come upon ihe
etagc Yankee rom the banks OF the ONO, with rea
bowie knife in hand and revolver IN bis belt ihe
picture too horrible 70 conte np1c, any NJ give
Vp,'
very important change Ia 70 be made bore IN the ad
fpstration Of the theatres. ~ every teatre ~ Paris,
ana particularly at those patronizsd by the working poo
@ IN our or two previous TO the opening OF the uocis,
Iepc offned and In order obtain seat III vs. ncccs
ary 70 stand In the open and purchase tickets 10
.Ih. lhS results from the universal system Of selling
ne places during the day. and often several days IN
aoVanSe' AZ price about twenty Eve per cent higher
man me regular price This u 70 be abolished and the
seaa arc 70 be sold at The rcpiar that all who
Cho. sc may retain them ADVANCE The director OF one