The New York herald., 1870-08-28
PANS. August II. 1910.

PARIS, August II. $50.
Your art correspondent has witnessed many
glorious performances at the different playhouses
of this artistic capital; but the theatrical per-
formances of past days have been ecpsed by
those of which this day forward an accout, for
it is the drama of real life thrilling through every
vein of the nation, now holding it's grandest stage
on our public thoroughfares The action is all
comprised within a period Of two days. beginning
on Friday. | had on that day an admission for
the distribution of rewards at the Imperial Con.
servatolre of Music, which celebration was to be
presided over by the Minister of Fine Arts, and
brilliant staif Of composers, writers, sena-
tors and other digntaries All the laureate
students and future stars of our operate
and dramatic scenes were ut the close Of the
ceremony to execute the pieces for which they
had received diplomas, medals and mentions.
Moreover, NJ. Maurice Richard, the Minister, was
to make speech, and the elite Of artists eagerly
assembled.
The Conservatore theatre is ever very jealousy
guarded and though audiences within this temple
are limited and chosen, the house was intensely
full before half the elected had got seated. At
length, when every inch of box, stall and bench
was occupied, the students, both male and female,
took their seats to the right and left of the stage,
the centre being reserved for long table round
which the authorities were to ohiciate. The young
ladies' were all in white and appeared in excellent
spirits-(ages differed from ten to twenty -onc.) As
10 the male students, their good humor was OF
short duration. 1t lasted until all were seated on
the extremely narrow, hard benches prepared for
them: but no sooner had it become clear
that the seats were hard, and that they were
crammed ten on one bench, in awkward dress
coats and white starched vests than they called out
for the Minister, who arrived late. They then ex'
changed conversation with tho audience, whistlcc
in KEYS and gave other evidences Of dispeasure.
When the Minister and his retinue did at las!
enter silence was established.
The speech delivered by N. Richard caused
general satisfaction ne explained how necessary
| il had been to call together committee for the
reform of the rules and regulations which have
been i'll force for twenty years at the Conserva
toire, and without the slightest alteration; how
abuse had crept in, aud how essential it was tha
henceforward singers should receive some kind 0
! education beyond that of music (even Rache
could not spell properly. He paid tribute o
regret to those professors within the institution
who had died since last year, and touchingly al
| luded to the young men who had already sud
denly been called on TO lay down their musica
instruments and fly to the frontiers with the Gard
Mobile. On concluding, he a second time referee
to the war, and calculated May the arts whic
were intended TO be our solace comfort US whe
we suffer, and may the voices which have bee
trained to unite SO harmoniously soon proclaim
our victory
Why shuddered cannot say, nor Why man,
other men shuddered; the ladies Turned yale, an