New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-13

Translated for the Republican.
LA PERICHOLE.

| Translated for the Republican.
LA PERICHOLE.
We find in souvenirs de L'Amerique
Espsgnole," par Max Rsdiguet, the origi-
nal legend from which the ibretto of Often
baoh's opera bouffe, ''Ls Perichole," was
founded. It is thus narrated. The old
| Alameda of Lima, 30 much the resort OF
the ge'ste medic pelo, or mixed breed, still
| preserves the memory of q chOiita, or In
dian girl, who was comedienne of talent,
the fsvorits Of q viceroy, and who is re-
nowned in Lima under the name of La Per-
richole.
The childhood of Mariquita Villegas-
| it was her Christian name-is lost in
the obscurity which usually envelopes
the infancy of Bohemienne. 1t is only
known that about 1850 she appeared on the
the stage Of the Coliseum, in the first burst
of her youth her beauty and her genius,
and that the public surrounded her with
the most enthusiastic idolatry. Don Anto-
MO Ama.. the viceroy of that period, who
had contributed greatly to the magnidcence
of Lima, in spite Of his advanced years.
was inspired by one of those fiery
souls fatally devoted to an imperisha-
BILE youth, saw the beautiful Mareauita
He felt the ice of his old age melt
under the tropical ardor Of her glances,
and laid at her feet his heart, his treasures
and his pride as a hidslgo. Msriquits took,
like true Limenienne, all that he offered,
and filed the City Of the Kings with her
insolent pride and mad extravaganza
Proud to avsnge upon the person of the
highest dignitary the contempt and insult
with which Spanish pride had humiiated
her race, every concession Of her love be-
came the price of the most capricious ex-
actions. One night she req uired her royal
lover to descend in the simple costume of
a robe de mutt and bring from the fountain in
the grand plaza y glass of water as the only
beverage which could at that moment satisfy
her thirst. Another time, apprehensive that
her favorite mules had not had their usual
provender, she insisted that Don Amat
should 60 to the stables and see that the
hostlers had done their duty. 1t was no
doubt upon his return from some such noe
turnal annoyance that the viceroy formu-
lated his indignation under the brief and
insulting epithet, "Perra!'* But the en-
chansress had changed the iron into gold;
the insult was softened to term Of endear'
ment, and was pronounced with an
affectionate intonation which deprived
it of bitterness, and remained but as
one of those phrases of metsphoricsl
absurdity peculiar to amorous affection.
Often uttered by the viceroy, it passed
from the alcove to the chamber, which gave
it circulation. The city took it up. and it
is under the name of Perrichole that Mari
quita preserves her popularity. The royal
csprices of this favorite were often inspired
by noble and generous objects. She re-
lieved great deal Of misery. swayed the
clemency of her lover in favor of offenders
who deserved it, and even obtained pardon
for convict at the moment and upon the
spot that he was to have suffered death.
Then the demon of vanity would put into
her heart the insaiate appetite for ap-
plause and 0stentation common to her
class. and she would distinguish herself
by some new eccentricity in whloh the
victim enveloped in the net of her
seductions, would become her accomplice.
At the approach of great solemnity, when
the vicsroy, the officers of State, and all
the Spanish nobility were to appear in
grand procession and display their splendor
and luxury, a triumphant fancy crossed the
brain of the Perrichoe The occasion afford
ed an opportunity to mortify the arrogant
pride of the opprsssors Of her race in taking
precedence Of them at the approaching
ceremony. She put in practice, at once.
her most irresistible cajoleries, to obtain
from the viceroy the privilege to ride in his
coach. This caprice, however, had a
stormy time of it. Il was known, and
there was general uprising Of the nobil-
ity. A red skin; an Indian GIRL daughter
of the people. and as such subject to
servitude to have precedence of the no.
bic race Of the a-ur sanyre. Rather than
submit to such an insult they would
make an auto do fe Of their parchment titles
and coats of arms. ALI cOnspired against
itself was moved in its den, and occupied
itself with the matter in such sort that the
viceroy, alarmed ,endeavored to compromise
with his self-wilied mistress. She decided to
abdcate the seat by his side on condition
that she should participate in the ceremony
in an elegant carriage with which the vice.
roy would present her for the occa-
sion. The treaty concluded, La Peril
chole received the coach and when
the great day came she reveled
like q peahen arrogant in beauty and
splendor, in the midst of the aristocracy,
but as she was returning to her home, ami
mated with the glorious memories of the
scene, she was stopped at the corner of q
street by priest, who, preceded by bell
and followed by struggling crowd, was
going to administer the last rites to the
dying. A sudden purpose seized this YER
eatile spirit. She ordered her coach to turn
around, descended and followed on foot this
mournful procession, kneeled with it upon
the threshold OF the dying, and shocked
with the contrast which this humble
office of p;ety offered to her sinful
luxury, she gave the next day her
coach to carry about the holy sacra-
ment. This Christian sentiment, which
from time to time was, as has been
seen, awakened in the soul of La PERI.
chOlo vorV soon Occupied her entirelv Had