The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-08-01

IMAM hall the time the correspondents
or printers between them contrive to get
twisted into ''Ragabas." and to the
popular outbreaks and excitement BY
which its performance in the larger cities
OF France is usually attended, may give
interest to o brief outline OF the plot and
motive Of this now celebrated comedy.
It is the work Of M. Sardou, several of
whose plays, through English or Ameri-
can adaptations, are already familiar to
piay.goers in this country. It is, as
already stated, a political comedy, the
object OF which is. apparently, to expose
to sidicule the career and pretensions of
ID. Gambetta and his friends-.who con-
stituted the government Of national de-
fence at Tours and Bordeaux during the
German siege Of Paris.-the present De
mooratio party, or party of the left, in
the French Legislative Assembly. AL
though the public representations of
this play has proved prolific source OF
disorder, both In the capital and in the
provinces, but more particularly in the
large cities in the South of France,
where the Democratic element is strong
est. it appears to enjoy the secret encou-
ragement, il not patronage, OF NJ. Thiers
and his government. 1t is, in fact,
curious commentary upon the present
state OF things in France, that while
public celebrations of the anniversary of
the taking of the Bsstile July 14) were
forbidden by the Government in Paris.
Lyons, Marseilles and Bordeaux, because
it waa apprehended they would be con-
verted into political demonstrations by
the friends OF NJ. Gambetta, this play of
Rabagas, which is expressly leveled at
Gambetta, is permitted to be performed,
But to the play itself. The scene is
laid IN the little principality of Monaco,
which, when the play opens, is supposed
to be under the rule Of a despotic prince.
There is, however, q democratic and
revolutionary party in Monaco, which
holds its meetings at the tavern Of che
'Flying Toad" and publishes an organ
called the Carn,dgnole Over the door cf
the "Flying Toad" is notice posted
that fine of half franc will be i'm.
posed for any allusi3n to the existence of
God. The Carnsdgnole contains articles
showing how workingmen are entitled to
ten hours pay for FIVE hours work, and
to whole holiday on Monday, to reco-
YER from the effects Of Sundays dissipa-
ton. Italso informs soldier who writes
for information, that "as Citizen" he
is under no obligation to obey his Of
icers. The members of this party of
"moSal ideas," who aim to be the social
and political TefoTmefs Of Monaco, are
men OF broken fortunes and unsuccess.
tul careers, lawyers and doctors who
have feiied In practice, dramatist who
has been hissed, defaulting cashier,
cashiered officer, three bankrupts, two
blacklegs, seven idiots and eight drunk
ardsl The leader of the party and chief
editor OF the Carmagnole is Rabagas.
rhetorical advocate who successfully de-
fends prisoner who has kicked an old
game-keeper to death. upon the ground
that he had not murdered man. but was
only demonstrating his hatred of an
odious principle. There is, of course,
the inevitable Polish exile, a general
with q name ending in ''owski," who
proposes to lead the projected revolu-
ton, provided his views are agreed to
upon the subject OF pay and allowances,
and NE style OF his uniform, which is
something gorgeous.
;, While these conspirators are planning
their isvoiution, their leader, Rabagas,
gnss csiAse associates, ccnc!.ass .h.t J..
will accept She invitation, although. as
they tell him. he will be compelled to
SS 80 A>AA0o-OAOo0uCop tuo llVeIY OF
lacqpeys. He replies that Robespierre
wore knee-breeches, and that, after all.
they are only trousers cut short at the
knee He goes. and brought within the
influence OF court abandonment, and
more. particularly of the charms of
very pretty American widow, the favor
ite OF the reigning prince. he renounoes
his Democratic associates and takes
office as the princes prime minister.
Here. apparently, NJ. Sardou has taken
q leaf out Of the career OF M. Olivier.
rather than OF NJ. Gambetta, but his
hero, perhaps, is intended as type of
both, rather than portrait Of either.
Exasperated at the detection OF their
chief the reds revolt. Rabagas is the
hrst 70 propose that the troops should be
ordered to fire upon his former asso.
elates, but the revolution succeeds.
Then follows an absurd travesty of the
events OF September, 1870. A pro.
vIsional government is established in the
green room Of the Hotel de Vile. but
has hardly commenced operations before
another government ipstalls itself in the
yellow room and, looks up the green
room government. A third government
effects an entrance by the window, shuts
Ia wy<II