Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-01-24


How the Actors Fled from Paris.
In the Era Almanac for 1S71-an almanac is
sued for the use of the dramatic profession in
Englaud-we find the following amusing sketch
written by Frederick Vokes:
"0nce more in old England, and thankful
enough for having landed in safety. We left
London August s, and arrived in Paris twelve
O'Clock same night. ] shall never forget my first
glimpse of Paris. AS we drove from the station,
we found the boulevards crowded with the most
excited mobs. The report of the first Prussian
victory (the battle of Weerth) had Just arrived,
the full particulars of which the ministers
thought proper to keep to themselves, a pro-
ceedlng that greatly increased the excitement
were giving vent pretty freely to their injured
feelings by singing the 'Marseillaise' and threat
ening TO turn the ministers out and call new
government, which they did on the following
Thursday. had always heard of Paris as a
gay place, but there was rather more gaiety
than bargained for Things, however, went
on pretty quietly after the change of govern
ment We made our first appearance at the
Chatelet, on August IA, before crowded and
enthusiastic audience, and met with every posi-
BILE success. like French audience immense
ly to play to, although they rather alarmed me
on the first night by shouting what seemed TO
us like 'beastl beastP after every song and
dance. | looked at my sisters, who appeared
doubtful whether we ought to do any more.
When the band struck up the music again, and
there was plenty of applause, we came to the
conclusion that opinions were divided. AT the
end we were called before the curtain, and re-
ceived q storm of applause, 'beastP beastP
which ended in our doing the last dance over
again. We were afterwards told that it was bis
they were calling, but | thought encore was
used the same in France as in England. We
did excellent business for the first few weeks,
and Mr. Strange would have had a great sue
cess had it been a more prosperous time. There
was nothing to denote the dreadful war the
country was engaged in, but the continual pass
ing of the poor fellows bound for the seat ofwar,
or a drive to the Notifications.
"My sisters had narrow escape of being left
out in the Bots de Boulogne all night. On
August goth they had driven there to sec the for
tfcations. When they reached the suburbs
they found all the villas and houses deserted,
and most of their inhabitants bringing their
household goods, &C., within the walls of Paris
People were coming in thousands from all the
villages and in all directions were to be seen
streams of every description of vehicle carrying
furniture. At one point the roads met, and all
had to pass over one draw6ridge and through
narrow gate. The consequence was, they were
blocked in for three hours. However, they got
through at eight O'Clock, much alarmed, for
they were late for business. They had had moth
ing to eat since morning, and were dreadfuuy
excited. They had seen quite sufficient to con-
vince them that it was not safe for any Of us to
remain a day longer in Paris and they had made
up their minds to 90 home by the first train the
next morning. From that night | knew no
peace for the next fortnight. Most of the corps
de ballet" had agreed that as soon as we LETT
they would follow; and as my sisters heard
every day some more and more horrible report,
they determined to leave next morning, and adj
vised all who valued their safety to follow their
example. Mr.. Parravicini and myself were con-
tinually watched by the ballet, who took it in
turns to follow us in case we went off without
giving them notice.
"Howeyer, things really took serious turn
on September g. when the news arrived of the
battle of Sedan, which fell like a thunderbolt
among them. For the first time Paris began to
realize its position. All Saturday was spent in
riot and excitement, until Sunday midday,
when the republic was proclaimed. All then
changed to rejoicings. The mobs amused them
selves by singing the Marseillaise, setting free
the political prisoners, and destroying every
statute, likeness, etc., of the emperor and en-
press. Even our playful had the word Impe-
rial torn olive were reduced from Imperial
du Chatelet' to 'du Chatelet.' After that things
became worse and worse. So Mr. Strange
found it advisable to close on Thursday, and
left for London on Wednesday to fetch money
to bring the company home on Friday. Never
shall forget that Wednesday. Mr. Strange had
Just left, when my sister heard a report that the
advance guard of the PrussiaDs would be under
the walls of Paris the next morning. They had
lust read it, when Mr.. HanOn came TO inform
them that the railway officials had refused to
take any luggage, and had told him they would
not guaranty another passenger train after that
night. My sisters required to be told no more:
their bonnets were on and the wearerS of them
were off in minute. l looked at the theatre
doors, Just about to open, as my sisters and
brother drove off,
"0n arriving at the station, there were thou
sands of people endeavoring to get away. My
sisters intended going by the eight o'clock mail,
but in the confusion their cabs got divided for a
time, and then it was impossible to get tickets
through the crowd. Although they were there
a little after seven, they were unable to go ty
that train. However, there was another train
going at eleven o'clock. The landlord of our
hotel who went to see them off, knew some of
the guards, who let them privately into the sta
ton. Once in the station, they determined they
would not leave until there was a train. They
had only one more difficulty. My dog, a large
hound, my sisters would take with them, and as
there was no getting a ticket for it, and the
guards would not let ii pass without one, they
had to lie him on his back, tie his legs, and roll
him in a shawl and carry him as a baby.
Brother and sister engaged the guard in con-
versation, while the others passed the gate, with
the baby, into the carriage, where they remained
one hour before starting. Finally, after having
been in the station and in the train nearly
fourteen hours, they reached Boulogne where
the dog got ticket, and they obtained some
refreshments, after which they proceeded to
London.
"My sisters having gone, determined to wait
for the rest of the company. However, the same
evening the order arrived for all English people
to quit the city. Then there was a really SEN
sationaP scene. The girls cried, and nobody
knew what to do, because Mr.. Strange having
just left we were afraid that he would not be
allowed to return. II was six o'clock and we
were just about to commence the performance.
Some of the ladies refused to perform. Mr.
PaTavcini and myself advised them to 20 on
with the performance, as by that means we
might be able to raise some money towards the
expenses of the homeward journey. [ also
went round and borrowed all the money could
from the different professionals, but, alas! |
found it very deficient there being nearly one
hundred of us. was just on the point Of going
to our ambassador TO ask him to lend me the mon
ey on good security when, as good luck would
have it, met Mr.. Moore of the Christy min
strels, who had just returned from Switzerland.
With his usual generosity, be made up the de-
ficiency.-
81 went back to the theatre, and told the girls
to pack up; but we were made prisoners by the
girls, who watched us all night for fear we should
leave them behind. In the morning obtained
a couple of 'busses,' and we then set off for the
station, and having arrived there we found to
our establishment, that no luggage was to be re-
ceiyed. We had consequently to go back to the
InedLIt. 1ueu calne tne greatest CONFUSION; all
the girls endeavored to carry their clothes on
their backs; some put three or four dresses on,
so each girl became nearly double her usual size,
to our no small amazement. In the meantime
Mr.. Parravicini procured the tickets. Then came
the difficulty of getting TO the platform, which
we accomplished through the favor of one of the
guards, who let us through private door at the
rear of the station. Ours was the only party on
the platform, with the exception of a party of
lunatcs who were being conveyed out of the city
to place of safety. We were then ordered to
take our seats as quickly as possible.
"No sooner had we done SO than the station
doors were opened, and the scene that follows
defies description. The empty station in few
minutes was filled with a crowd of excited fugi-
tivcs. There was screaming, yelling, fighting,
crushing, and a general scramble on to the tops
of the carriages. After about an hours delay,
the train at last moved out of the station. Then
came what may be fairly described as a most te-
dious journey. We left the Chateet at nine in
the morning and arrived at Dieppe at half-past
twelve, having been fifteen hours without any
thing to eat or drink. We did not stop exactly
at the intermediate stations, but went some dis
lance beyond them, in order to avoid the pressure
Of the crowds there assembled. Once managed
to run up the line and obtain a couple of fowls.
They were soon deVOuTed: and an old man who