The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-03

caused by the bravery OF q modern Joan Oh ARC,
named Herminia Morelli, who few days ego
died at Florence of wounds received at Gus
tozza. She was twenty years Of age, had lost
two brothers in the war of 1859 against Austria
and had vowed to avenge their death.
r It is TO be regretted that so heroic people
are led bygsuch bad generals Acts OF unwonted
bravery are constantly cited by the papers,
which show us that the Italians are still as
yalorous as in the time of the Horatii and
Curatii.
People in general are getting quite lisgusted
with The hor1id details given by the cores
pondents from the seat of war, and it would be
good thing il some means could be found to do
away with the dreadful scourge.
Though it takes good deal TO depress the
spirits of the French, there is no doubt but that
the late political events have been a great
damper on amusements in Paris; the task of
chronicler of light mattenhas therefore become
much more arduous.
The aspect OF the French city is at present
dull, TO say the least of it-Conversation almost
always runs on war and the breech-loading
''needlegun,n Herr Won Bsmark and the
Quadrllateral.
Our political salons are now deprived OF many
of their stare. Madame de Metternich, one of
the planets of high life, is now in deep mourn
ing, it lis supposed for the reverses of Austria
it can be naught else, as the report that the
Austrian Ambassadress had lost two brothers
at the battle of Sadowa turns out to be quite
uniounded. Her excellency is evidently in very
low spirits and her absence from gay circles in
Paris is very much felt as she was the life and
soul of the reunions off grand monde.
Madame de Metternich was the first to intro.
duce the manners and dress of a certain class of
ladies in what is generally called good society.
The elegant Ambassadress was the spoiled child
off the Tuileries. and could do whatever she
pleased. She even went so far as to dance the
cd7cdn at the grand masked ball given at Com
pegne last year, much to the amusement of the
Emperor and Empress, who, it is well known
are anything but cobet monte.
Theresa owes much of her popularity to the
protection OF the Princess Metternich, who has
several times treated her guests TO a perform
ance of the low comic diva.
The charades and private theatrcals at the
Tuileries have always been under the manage
ment OF the Austrian Ambassadress, and the plots
of both charades and plays have not always
mamma has regretted having taken her daughter
to witness their performance. The example set
by the higher classes has had a baneful infu.
ence on society in general; and if we have now
some difficulty in distinguishing a real lady
from something else, we have to thank Madame
de Metternich, who has introduced the fashions
of the cOcOue
We have begun by showing the weak side of
this popular lady. We must, however, in JUS
tice not omit to mention that she is noted for
her kind-heartedness and charity--a proof of
which is 10 be found in her active eXertons for
the widows and orphans OF those who have
fallen in the recent German battles.
The corrupt IN and depravity of our capital are
daily increasing, as is shown by the papers,
which of late have given an expose Of the
doings of certain so.calied hotel-keepers, where
the strangers who visit Paris are tleeced, and
decoyed into the society of blacklegs and
sharpers. 1t is the duty of the Paris chronicler
to set all strangers upon their guard not to be
too easy in making acquaintances in the hotels
of Paris with finely dressed gentlemen, and
more especially ladies', who, for the most part,
are members of a cleverly organized set OF
swindlers. They adopt the manners, dress, aud
people, and, by their insinuating address, often
make prey of the unwary.
have often had to call your attention to the
fallen state OF the drama in France. 1t is,
however, my duty to say that the attacks of the
press have had good effect, tor of late we have
had one or two good pieces, GTingoire, at the
Theatre Francois, and Jean la PoSte, translation
of Dion Boucicault's ATrdh-nd.P Pogue, which is
being nightly performed to crowded benches at
the Gaieties; but the heat is very much against
the theatres, which, for the most part, are play
ing to empty benches.
CendriUoa, a gra nd spectacle, at the Chatelet
is still running successful career, and attracts
mostly provincials to witness the gorgeous
scenery and dresses. H... .r..s-"
These warike times are very much against
books and literature for who is the author who
wants to grunt and sweat to write book which
he is certain nobody wants to read? Alexandra
Dumas (son), however, who is a man of peace
and never reads newspaper, has Just published
work entitled 'I'Affaire Clemenceau," which
will become very popular some day, 1. e., when
the war is over, and there are no warlike tele
grams to read.
Another book which is likely to make a sensa
ton is "Notre Dame de Thermidor," by Arsene
Houssaye; it is biography of Nine Tallien, and
gives an interesting account of the times OF the
Directory.
TIE DEATH OF LINCOLN.
The French Academy has Just offered prize
for poem on the death OF the great President
who was so suddenly snatched away by the hand
of the assassin. more dramatic and poetcal