Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-05-21

eetf>Ns
Next 10 the programme was "Marie
Antoiuette going to execution" Draped
in garb that was suitable for the occa-
sion, without the gaudy trappings of the
gay court life, with face, not expressive
Of fear, but simply regret that in
the prime and beauty of life, so un-
expected an end should be hers, when
but few short days previous she was
the pet, and thought to be the power be-
hind the throne. She was atte ended by
file of soldiers and followed by the gaping
crowd, representing to life the instincts
and the habits of the masses, under such
circumstances, who pander to their own
pleasure at the expense of others, even
to life itself. A striking and impressive
scene, but painfully making its way to
the heart of many who witnessed, thereby
proving its success. M
Next in order was a representation of
"The Passions" and right well did they
doit, Love, happiness, joy, in all their
phashes; despair, energy, Incidence, and
last, though not least, anger, with its
bright shining steel blade directed at the
heart of its victim. Had it not been for
the bright, fair faces Of the parties repre-
senting this, we would have, perhaps,
| uttered scream or shrank back with
apprehension. This party was supposed
to have assembled at feast given to the
Goddess of Music, who, by her varied
talent, wrought her guests TO the point
we beheld them. This was decidedly a
success. sun ~snsr-4
Now comes picture that will strike at
once, not only the hard hearted business
man of the world, but even the misan-
thrope, and bring from the eyes Of the
sentimental youths and the full grown
woman the briny tears Of sympathy
"The Empress Josephine signing the di-
vorce" Our eyes took in the scene at
glance, and our hearts were melted in
sorrow as we thought of the hard decree,
and the manner in which it was arrived
| at, by the then monarch of the world.
How sad, forced by her womanly pride,
to accept a condition that was repugnant
| to her, and willing from her love to tear
asunder the strings of heart that pull
stated alone for her husband, whom she
believed, from oft repeated profession,
| TO idolze her, and never for moment
| felt that there was another idol in his
soul which was burning his very exis
tence. This idol she discovered only
when she received the mandate, and then
she knew that ambition was Napoleon's
master, and then with her true aoomanly
instinct, she felt thai she would be sacrl-
feed. Surrounded by her weeping
family, with Hortense leaning upon her
shoulder to hide her grief from the heart
striken officers of the court, who were
standing in the background, with Ma
poleon seated in his chair of state, with
his head bowed as though he felt sorrow
at the deed he was about to commit, aud
so thoroughly were the characters sus
tanned, that we felt like rushing upon
the stage and relieving the whole party
and the European world by destroying
| Napoleon.
To relieve the pent-up feelings of the
company, and once more burst the
bands of sorrow and sympathy which
costrolled all, ~ he Voice of Spring "
broke upon us, and we could hear in our
| imagination the carol of the birds,
and the dozy hum of the bee, while we
witnessed all the evidences of spring
time in the way of floral offerings. The
scene itself would, even in tried winter,
SO perfect was it accomplished, have
cheated us into the belief that we were
in the sunny South, and surrounded by
midsummer. Then the heart was re-
lieved, and the joyous tones of the party
could again be heard, and once more the
bright spiles of happiness could be seen,
and the painful expressions, produced
| by the previous scsne was evaporated,
and the soul was again free. An appro
pYiate and happy conception, particular
| ly when we discovered the other seasons,
in their regular order, perfectly repre-
sented in the distance.
The next carried us to the NJ ountains
of Mexico and the borders of Spain
"The Wounded Guerrilla" Worn and
weary from loss of blood and long travel,
be seats himself upon the rocky side of
| hill, with look of despair; and as be
is about being overcome, he is ministered
to by the hands of fair women, who en-
tirely forget his occupation, from their
human suffering. A pretty scene.
While we were trying to analyze our
feelings, the bell rang and the curtain
rose again, to expose to our view scene
that carried us back to our boyhood days
1.-THE Masquerade" or gay and fes-
tive Spanish dance; aud in our abstrac.
tion so perfect was its outline, that we felt
a shudder at the thought that there might
be concealed under those gaudy gar
ments an instrument of death in the way
of stiletto, and we wished for an opti-
cal instrument with power enough to
penetrate the disguise or mask, that we
might once more feel at ease. just at
that mement the city band touched a
chord that softened our feelings and
allayed eur apprehensions This scene
was to life.
While we were in state bordering
between gloom and mitth, the curtain
came up again, and we discovered before
US a scene so life-life, so natural, that we
we're surprised at not hearing an outburst
OF merriment or regular Jolly laugh,
indicative Of mirthfuIness and true
appreciation of reality What do you
suppose this was Gossip. I'm
agine to yourself gathering Of
antiquate1 old maids at a tea
drinking. Oh, horrorsl what would be |
the suffering Of some gay popinjsy, if |
be could hear their comments2 he would
conclude that be was wretch and with
out character, aud unworthy the notice
Of any respectable person, snd tie ladies
would stop their ears and fee from the
gathering, feeling that they could not
survive such gossip" With high