New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1872-02-15
The Grand Duke.

TheyGrand Duke spent very quiet day
Yesterday He remained in his chambers,
and did not move out all day. He received
a few visitors, but seemed relieved when
they had retired. He then sat down to
grand lunch PREPARED by the proprietors of
the St. Charles Hotel.
In the evening, according to invitation,
he was present at the ST. Charles Theatre
to witness the performance of the Little
Detective" played by Lolita.
Long before twelve o'clock NJ. the entire
placard placed outside, Nothing but stand
ing rOom.'' If the theatre had been twice
as large, the seats would have been all
taken before night.
In the evening, just after dark, crowd
of persons congregated on the opposite side
of the theatre, and at quarter past seven
the police were called into requisition to
keep the street clear, so as to allow the
cars and other vehicles to proceed to their
destination.
At precisely eight o'clock carriage con-
tanning the Grand Duke drove up to the
mer carriage contained the Duke and Adj
miral Poisset, the latter containing other
members of his suite.
just as soon as the carriage was stopped
the crowd rushed around it, completely
blockading the sidewalk and rendering the
exit of the Duke an impossibility. People
poured out from all quarters; old men, chill
dren and handsomely dressed ladies crowd
ed up to the carriage, all eager to catch a
glimpse Of his Majesty, and it was fully
ten minutes before he could alight to pro-
coed on his way ep stairs; but this difficulty
was finally accomplished by the aid OF the
clubs of the policemen and their persuasive
tones. The crowd fell back just far enough
to allow the Duke to pass through. He
raised his hat and passed through with his
head uncovered, while the mass of human
beings applauded and cbeered until he was
clear. of sight, and even then they fol
lowed him to the door Of the dress circle.
The Duke and party were conducted to a
private box on the right side of the house
The box was beautifully and artlstically
decorated with Russian and American
flags. The box inside was sumptuously
furnished with the latest style of furni-
ture, provided specially for the occasion.
The orchestra performed the Russian
national hymn in a style worthy of the
theatre, and which did credit to the
leader. Whether or not the familiar air
caused any tears to float to his royal
over the spirit of his dreams, we can not
tell, but he seemed to straighten up, and,
with his head erect, he walked into his
box amid battery of opera glasses and
the cheers of the goods" in the gallery.
The play was well chosen, as it gave
Lolita a chance to exhibit herself to the
hest advantage. 1t is not necessary to re-
hearse the plot of the "Little Detective" as
it is too well known.
The performance pleased the Duke, as he
frequently applauded, and the smile which
has characterized him in this count1 was
as bright as ever, and foated over his
countenance more than once during the
evening. The delineations of Lolita and
Mark Quinlan seemed to specially interest
and please him, and he applauded for their
encore as heartily as did any one in the
house.
After the performance he was conducted
back to the st. Charles Hotel.
After the Duke left the st. Charles Thea
tire and was conducted to the hotel it was
arranged that he should be the recipient of
a grand serenade, and for this purpose the
large portico of the St. Charles Hotel was
illuminated with double row of gas jets,
the form of which was square. The jets
crossed and recrossed the balcony, present
ing a scene of dazzling magniticence seldom
seen in New Orleans.
At midnight the grand orchestra, under
the direction of Professor Meyer, made its
appearance, and performed, in an exquisite
manner, the "Grand Duke Reception
March," composed and dedicated to his
highness the Grand Duke Alexis by Louis
Meyer: overture of the opera Raymond"
by Ambrose Thomas "Marche aux Flam
beaux," by Meyerbeer.
The "Alexis March," composed by Mr..
Never, is based on the theme of the Russian
national hymn.
There was no speech-making, and after
the band was through the Grand Duke re-
tired to his couch, at which place we leave
him.
The Duke and suit will visit tie Circus
to-day at twelve O'clock.