The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-06-06
R0CHEFORT.
His Lecture at the Acad.
envy OF Music.
An Enthusiastic Audience GreetS
the Noted Exile.
PARIS IN 1901.
Scenes During the Siege at
the Barbados.
LA MERE MICHEL.
Rochefort's Marriage in
Prison.
Devotion and HerOism Shown
NV Two Children.
Rochefort's Marriage in
Prison.
Devotion and HerOism Shown
by Two Children.
THE PERIOD OF EXILE
Notes on "the King of the Canni-
bal Islands,"

Dal 1SlaQQS.
The lecture delivered last night at the Academy
Of Music by The well known republican leader Henri
kOchef0rt, gave the American public an oppor-
tunity OF becoming acquainted with that strangely
gifted man. Owing, no doubt, to the fact that the
lecture was delivered IN foreign language the
attendance was not so large as might have been
wished, but those who remained away lost treat
they are never likely to have an opportunity OF
joying, this side OF the Atlantic at least Never
in his most successful days, when warmed
by the sympathetic applause OF admir1ng
thousands, did the French tribune deliver more
telling hits against his political opponents than in
the remarkable paper Of which we place before
our readers a translation. For those who had
known NJ. Rochefort only by report as violent
and aggressive orator the delivery OF the lecturer
must have been SURPRISE He was greeted, when
he rose to speak, with deafening applause, again
and again repeated; but at last the enthusiasm Of
the audience settled down, and the lecturer pro-
ceeded to read, in quiet, unimpassoned voice,
the story OF his experiences during the siege
OF Paris, In exile on the barren peninsula; but
perhaps the most telling and crushing part of his
criticism on the political condition Of France was
his admirable comparison OF the cOnstitu tional
safeguards and educational advantages enjoyed
toned to regard as savages, and yet who possess
government incomparaby freer and more respon-
sible to the popular will than does the great French
nation Nothing was more remarkable than the
absence OF passion with which NJ. Rochel0rt put
forward hts IDEAS and only when recounting the
insults offered to the mother Of his children-and
which accelerated, If they did not cause, her
death-was there any sign OF emotion. Grave as
was the orator, the aspect OF the house was still
more severe. There were present lew ladies-one
only appearing on the plat1orm-and these were
mostly In the boxes. The audience listened with
rapt attention. and so profound was the silence.
which was only broken on one occasion py an
interruption from some
OvER-ENTHUsIAsrIC ADMlRER,
which created good deal OF excitement. The
mark Of this person was not clearly understood by
the audience, and as it was at first thought to be
OF an offensive character there seemed q chance
shat the interrupter would be summary elected
In few words he explained his position as that
Of . man who had fought on the barricades. NJ.
Rochef0rt sauted HIM ana at the same time ex-
pressed his wish to be allowed to proceed without
interruption. Although sedate and attentive the
audience was full Of suppressed enthu-
Dtasm, and when the speaker made
his telling points they were acknowledged
with warmth that left no doubt as to their hearty
sympathy with his utterances. The contrast
drawn between the reign Of constitutional liberty
ut Honolulu and the government OF bayonets at
Paris, and the admirable attack on the pretended
sickness OF Jules Favre, which was characterized
rs ian attack OF capitulation," were, perhaps,
most relished by the audience, which was Q
markably intelligent one. 1t was, however,
fairly representative of the democratic Repub-
lie. 1t was curious to notice the appearance
of the proscenium boxes, fllcd-not as we accus-
III
crowded with the determined faces Of democratic
republicans. Indeed, there was much in this Incl
dent to recall some OF the Old pictures OF the old
French Republic The platform was well filed
with men prominent in revolutionary affairs, and
for the nonce all party feeling seemed to have been
forgotten, and the various sections united in the
common work Of helping the suffering republicans
exed IN New Caledonia Messrs. NJ. Fleures, Du-
rand, Pelletier and Debaschi represented the
Union Republicaine, and NM. NJ. E. Badowreau,
J. olivier and the brothers May. Mr.. Miguel de
ALBANIA, the representative Of the Cuban Republic,
occupied one OF the proscenium boxes.
N. Rochefort, accompanied by some friends, ap-
peared on the platform some minutes after eight,
and the proceedings were at once opened by an
address from Mr.. John Swinton, one OF the leaders
Of the American socialists
Mr.. swINTON SAID
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: IL have been asked by
Renri Rochelort to briefly indicate In the English
language the order and bearing OF his discourse
here tonight, for the benefit Of those who are I'M
familiar with the language in which he will speak.
Before doing this should like to make few re-
marks about Rocheiort himself at this his
nrst presentation before an American au-
dience. And l may say that will use Ian
guage about him which l would not use
in his presence II he understood the language in
which speak, for in such case his mOdesty might
enter protest. Rochefort's career in France has
been extraordinary, brilliant and fruitful Perhaps
the well-worn metaphor OF meteor might be
more aptly applied to him than to any OF his
French contemporaries. II 1t were not that be.
heved him to be star, durable and potential,
Illuminating the horizon which sweeps from
france to the Infinite, and from to-day to eternity.
(Appiause). 1t Is but lew years since the young
man hochefort made his appearance in Paris
paper. Az soon as he did so 1t was evident that
here was not only light Of exceptional brili-
Rncy and terrific wit, but man OF ideas
and force OF conviction, a republican and radical,
relentless enemy OF the dominant despotism and
an audacious and defiant champion OF liberty.
(Great applause.) 1t Is not only that ne was the
witttest OF writer's in the wittiest OF cities but
behind bis WIT was heroic spirit, and behind his
personality was the genius OF France. He quickly
became the most famous writer in Paris his pro
auctions eagerly sought by the whole people his
words in everyDOdy's mouth; In q momens as It
were, he became the popular IDOL the idol OF the
keen. quick witted, true-hearted, boId.handed re-
publican party Of Paris, and Of the masses OF the
French working people. Time soon gave him new
opportunities. He emancpated himself from the
Fs0ar0 and started the Lanterne, and first pub.
lisncd 1t In Parls 1t was there suppressed, and he
then started 1t in MarseIes, but It was also sup.
Dressed In tiWe py the impeEjal power,