Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-09-01

1 thrOuged, and for time served as SUBJ
stitutes for theatres. In most of them no
entrance fee was charged, but even when
people had to pay it was cheap enter
tainment I used to attend these meet
ings almost every night with the double
purpose of studying human nature and of
acquainting myself with the spirit of the
Parisians. There was one of those clubs
liked especially to attend, both on &C.
count of the place of its meetings and the
decorum that reigned in them. 1t was
the club of the socialists of the cultivated
class, who had taken possession of the
beautiful hall of the celebrated
French Academy. There the ques-
tions of the day were discussed with
talent and with certain moderation, the
design of the members was not to excite
the passions, like many other kindred as
sociations, but to defend and establish
their doctrines in philosophical point of
view. Ladies' were admitted, and those
who came, as far as 1 could judge were
not wanting in respectability.
It was worth while to frequent these
meetings for the pleasure alone of seing
and examining the Hall. AS we may
imagine it was magnificent, although not
large. The French Academy is composed
of forty members, whose duties is to
watch over the French language and COM
pose dictionary They decide what is
and what Is not classical French. They
are called the "forty immortals," for as
soon as one dies his place is occupied by
the choice of the body, which is perfectly
independent in its management although
subsidized by the State. 1t is no doubt
the greatest literary body in the world.
The hall in question contains first the
fauteuils of the Academicians, then re-
served seats for distinguished visitors,
and galleries for the audience when their
meetings are public. 1t is painted in
good taste and adorned with statues by
the best artists. In a word it is beauti-
full temple dedicated to Belle-Lettres.
What singular changes The hall Of
the French Academy occupied by social
ists What humiliation Nothing
doubtless could console them in their af-
Fiction, but they thought they were not
alone to suffer, and the hope that better
days would soon dawn upon them.
But let us return to the clubs, which,
as l iutimated, did not usually distinguish
themselves by moderation. Some Of them
were decidedly revolutionary, while the
tendencies OF others, less to be dreaded,
denoted a very imperfect idea Of liberty.
A to liberty of speech. it was complete,
but in order 70 "have the floor" one had
to reach a stand or rostrum, from which
alone the audience could be addressed
It was easier to get to the stand than to
stand therein, for unless person was a
ready spaehar. he could not eno.sPy i
| long. The unfortunate man who hesitat-
cd or committed grammatical blunders
soon received an invitation to descend,
and if he did not voluntarily obey the
popular behest, frightful tumult soon
drowned his voice and compelled him to
silence Then came the turn, or rather
| the triad Of another, who escaped the same
/ fgte only by being more ready and cor
rect speaker. The Parisians, those even
Of the poorer class, have q very delicate
ear, and il clubs they do not feel called
to carry politeuess to the extent of hear
ing to the conclusion tedious speech.
Some Of the club speakers would not
give MP discouraged after their first fail
ures. but make renewed efforts. There
was one 7 recollcct particularly who ap-
paarea determined to render himself il
lusrrious in the career of political elO-
quauc-. Not long after be had commence
ed speaking, ne was obliged to descend
the rostrnm by the signifcent cries, "Cest
a-sey I" "eeaa assey" (it is enough, it is
enough , Bat in moment, and before
another could have a chance, he boldly
mounted gain, alas to be soon brought
| down "A second time, more or less humbl-
ed, hat not cured. Once more he took the
! stend and then the audience amused
themselves at the expense Of the iucori-
! y ttNr 'I&Jpt. Al the uESb WOfU ne spoke,
which Wa loud enough. many cried out :
'loudrr!' ~ "louder !" He resumed upon a
kigher key, but il was not yet at the de-
sired pitch, and cries Of "louderr p cloud
er - resoupded again. Too much absorb
ed by his purpose to see be was making a
foot of himself he tried a third time to
raise his voice to the desired diapason,
bp5 received the same welcome, and
finally resigned himself to his sad lot, he
became silent, TO the general satisfaction
Of all present.
Another fact must be noted here.
When persons spoke fuently, they were
heard, even if their views did not accord
with those of the audience, while poor
speaker was not silenced, although he
was not in sympathy with them, from
which it Is apparent that in Paris it is
not enough to be orthodox, but one must
be more or less eloquent to obtain a hear
ing