, 1877-05-06
TWO CURIOUS PEOPLE:

P0f15 Correspondence 4Att0 f0Fk Gf0pf1c.
One Of those curious figures whereof Paris seems
to enjoy the specially disappeared the other day
from tho scene Of life. 1t WIS tho Oldest habitue
OF the Comedie Franchise, who died at the age Of
97, having passed nearly every evening OF his life
Mt that theatre for eighty years. The day before
his death he occupied his customary place in the
orchestra stalls. He WAS known as II. Blondln,
from the fact that he always wore blond wig. He
paid his first visit to that theatre at the age Of "a.
mud few years Inter, beins, commissioned to take
charge OF the scat OF gentleman who wished to
leave 1t for few moments, he received challenge
from, would be interloper fought duel, and WIS
wounded. The gentleman whose rights he had 50
oucathcd him very handsome fortune He after
wards married, but his habit. Of passing every
evening at the theatre brought discord to the
to an amicable separation after five years Of
matrimony. Hc was Of small stature and Of deli
cato physique, and during the latter years Ct his
accustomed attribute his good health aud longcv-
ity to his regular habits and particularly to the
tranquil and intellectual manner IN which his even
he seems 10 have been the prototype OF the per
sonage known as the Persian" who: for many
years. never failed te pass his evening; at the
the Opera Comlqne. No one knew him or was ac-
quainted with his place Of abode. He never spoke
to any unc, and came and went 40 noiselcss as a
shndow. Tall, thin, and pale. with long, full,
snowy beard and snow white hair, just showing un-
der the tai cap OF Astraean fur that he habtunily
long, loose black robe, fashioned like q prieetly
soutare, be was well known to all the lovers OF
MUSIC in Paris as the opera houses themselves.
son at each Of tho opera giving theatres, and
these seats were never invaded, eycn when the
pressure was greatest as on the night OF any hfst
Representation: The war, tho Commune, and the
closing Of all the theatres of Paris broke up his
habits. and the Persian has never since been seen
In his accustomed haunts., Was he slain during
i h41 aS%F ffCn *IrfN anfN
he, dlsgusted at the universal upheasal Of al
things, return to his native land! No ono knows.
All tnat is known is the fact that the spell once
broken OF his continuous musical evenings, he WAS
never seen again. 1t is said that he was offered
!, COO francs to give up bis place at TIE Grand
Opera for The first night Of "LAtrlcainc." an offer
seat ut that theatre on that night having gone TO
the Opera comique instead. ! hare often, on my
visits to ar seen te m ef M Fl. erHcs
theatres, listening to the music In stolid silence:
and never betraying By so much as culver of the
lip or the uplifting Of an eyebrow whether ne were
pleased or dlsEleased with the performance.
A KING WASHING PAUPERS' FEET.
King Alfonso, who recently made the tour Of
Spain on his arrival at Seville signifed his desire
to conform with the traditional custom on Holy
Thursday for Kings to wash the feet OF twelve aged
paupers, and then to attend on them at sumptu-
Gus table laid out at the expense of the Grown. Re-
sfrlnE 10 lHEe 1ACt u correspondent "Eltce.
..About 200 persons alone had been invited to wit
ness this scene iu tho hall Of the Ambassadors.
The old Moorish Acazar is very beautiful, and it's
pat,os and principal courts have been restored in
tho style originally designed from the Arabic mod
els The doors, the ceilings, the pavcments. and
tho light airy architecture, carry yuu back to tho
days Of the old conquerors Of Andalusia, though
modern Innovations mar the spcndor Of egcry part
OF the structure. In the hall OF the Ambassadors
high table had been raiscd for the old men, and
facing it was platform for Queen Isabella and the
iniantas. They soon appcured dressed IN pale
blue silk, with long white lace mantillas. The
halberdlers and of the servants Of the Royal
household. In that Moorish Court were assem-
bled the very elite Of Sevilian society, and at
least hnlf Of those present were faces well known
in Madrid. The ladies all wore the black or white
mant.lla, and unif forms were not scarce. When
the household, and BY the gold keys, the greatest
trouble was to get glimpse over the fair occu-
pants Of the front rank. By dint OF perseverance,
we secured corner, and witnessed the Kings part
in the ceremony. After short prayer said BY the
Archbishop, clad in dnc :yestmeuts OF gold and
operation Of washing the feet OF the poor, who
were led to the table By the chamberlains and
cquerrice. They handed King Alfonso the dishes
laden with meat bread. and fruit. which the young
monarch set before his aged sabiccts, with good
humored smile: Several times, indeed. his Majesty
laughed outright when an awkward chamberlain
nearly upset plate dish Mt the imminent risk of
spelling gilt cloak and brilliant uniform. During
the whole time the band played selections from
the Ave Maria OF Gounod, and other sacred
music. When king Alfonso, surrounded By his
grnndecs and officers, amt escorted BY the hnlber-
diers crossed tile courtyard to rcposc before the
procession hour came on. he appeared rather
fatgucd."