Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1871-06-08
REMISCENCES OF AUBER.


and rose at four in the summer and five
in the winter. He then went through
the important operation of dressing,
which he performed entirely without
the aid Of valet, and with the greatest
care; for he was very particular about
his linen and the general appearance
of his person He dressed simply, in
sober colors, but there always was
about him a touch of the past beau.
His toilet accomplished he would sit
down ut his piano and compose until
six or seven o'clock, at which hours his
doors we're open to visitors. He receiv-
ed all those who asked admittance to
his presence.
Then for couple of hours or so he
went through the very tedious and ia.
tiguing task of listening to the applca-
tons of parents desiring to obtain the
admittance of their children to the
Conservatoire of Music, Of which he was
director or hearing the complaints of
the pupils as to the mode of singing
they we're forced to adopt by their pro
fessors; or again giving his attention
to the demands for changes of classes
or listening to the singing of those
who wanted to obtain his opinion and
his advice. In the latter case he often
accompanied,the applicant on the piano
himself, seeming rather pleased if the
pieces chosen were from his own operas.
When the clock struck nine his doors
We're closed to the public. He then
generally went to the Conservatoire to
see for himself how things stood there.
Then after driving about town in his
brougham on his business calls he would
hasten back to his piano and work at
his compositions.
In summer on fine afternoons, at the
fashionable hours of four or five, he
could be seen in the Champs Elysees,
seated in a "Duc "a kind of light
carriage-driving pair of high step
ping black English horses, two beauti-
full animals with swan-like necks and
limbs as fine as those of antelopes. -
His English groom was on the box be-
hind him with his arms folded and as
stiff as English grooms usually are On
the seat to his left sat a little black and
tan terrier, very small but great pet
of his master This turnout had a
stylish but quiet and genteel appear
ance which denoted the refined taste of
it's owner
Auber knew and was known by all
persons of distinction in Paris, and,
consequently, when going round the
lake of the Bots de Boulogne constant
salutatlons were given and returned.
If the occupant of an equipage passing
by proved to be OF the fair sex, the gal
liant old gentleman passed the ribbons
and whip from his right to his left hand
raising gracefully his hat; if of the
strong sex, he acknowledged the bow
with his whip, and all this he did with
as much ease as chic, his fiery team
pracing and snorting all the time.
When the "D'Aumont y of the sover-
eign passed by, the Emperor and EN-
press bowed and waved their hand to
him. Auber was great favorite at the
Tuileries and dined frequently there,
though he often confessed to his in
mates that the distinction annoyed more
than it pleased him; for it interfered
with the regularity of his habits. He
would go to the balls given
III bllt DdluCt, dlAt 10" ulll tlltu dSSlSI
at Divine service in the Imperial Chap
ell of the Tuileries, with the Emperor
and Empress, the principal dignitaries
of the court, and few privileged
friends.
At half-past five he took his only
meal of the day, his dinner He Meth
er breakfasted nor lunched, but simply
yfcn nf rapacf onl that
light and simple one After his dinner
he would regularly go to the Grand |
Opera, from which he returned at one
o o'clock i'll the morning alone and quite
He always very much |
patronized the ballet corps, assisted in |
its selection, and was great favorite
with the ladies who composed it.
Auber was, in the full sense of the
word, finished gentleman. His man.
ners were atfable, and his politeness,
particularly to women, proverbial He |
would often, when visited by some |
grand lady, accompany her down to
her carriage, descending a flight of .
steps as easily and GRACEFUL, as any
young man, and reascending them at .
a quick pace, incredible to one of his !
advanced years. He was very fond of |
female society. Often in looking |
the panes of some well-known |
milliner's mago@in, on the Boulevard .
des Capuciues, Auber could be noticed !
choosing and giving to his lady friends
his opinion on some pretty bonnet. He
had also great love for horses. and |
devoted great deal of attention and /
time to his stable.
He was, moreover, great amateur of .
pictures. He had cabinet where he .
kept rare collection of pictures and !
marbles
One last remark will prove once more