American citizen., 1878-08-24


would be very particular, as her hus-
band had consented to the cast being
taken only at her earnest request, add
ing that it was for herself that the bust
was intended. A few days afterwards,
Nine. Tussaud took casts of General
Massena, Cambaceres and several other
French celebrities who were prominent
members under the First Consulate.
Peace being temporarily arranged be-
| tween the English and French Govern
ments, Nine. Tussaud was desirous of
taking the opportunity of visiting Eng
land. She endeavored to get a passport
for that purpose but Pouches, the Min
ister of Police. refused to grant one, on
the ground that it was contrary to the
| laws of France for artists to leave the
country; and it was only by petitioning
the higher authorities that she eventually
obtained permit, and to her great de-
| light arrived in London in 1902. "At
last," says she in her memoirs, "I am
in country where genius from whatev-
er cline is fostered, and where the un-
fortunate exile receives the same pro-
lection as the native" Her talents were
justly appreciated by generous and dis
cerning public, and she was most gener-
ously patronized. She lived among us for
many years. Young and old alike have
| over and over again visited her estab-
lishment, and the s history in wax, :"
which is there exhibited, has become
one of the greatest attractions of the me-
tropolis. Though great changes have
since been made, Il few specimens of
her own special talent are still to be seen
in Baker Street; the best being the por-
trait model of tho famous wit and au-
thor, Voltaire.
The management of this exhibition is
now in the hands of descendants of the
second generation, whose efforts to OBJ
tain the latest celebrities and notorieties
are so well known. The collection at
present consists of more than three hum
dred portrait medals of Kings and
Queens, Presidents, statesmen, Gener-
ais, Admirals, poets actors, etc.; in
short, the effigies of celebrities of all ma
tions. The great Emperor Napoleon is
a prominent character. The more re-
cent additions to the collection are the
Emperor of Russia, the Sultan of Tur-
key, the various Turkish pashas and
Russian officers; fac-simile of the ly-
ing in state of the late Pope Plus IX., at
St. Peters, and that of King Victor
Emanuel. In dismal room, appropri-
ately called the Chamber of Horrors,
are representations of murderers and
others who have been executed. Here
is to be seen perhaps the most extraor
dinary relic of the French Revolution
namely, the actual knife of the original
itation of Louis XVI, Marie Antoin-
ette, and the best and worst blood of
France.
Nine. Tussaud closed her eventful
life' in London in 1850, having been a
citizen of the greatest capital in the
world for forty-eight years. Her family
were noted for longevity, her mother
having lived to the age of 104, and her
grandmother to Ill, whilst she herself
reached the mature age of 90. Her
effigy in the wax-work exhibition in
Baker Street is SO life-like that those
who knew her personally fancy they
still see the veritable old lady; and she
has her favorite' spot, too, for she is ap-
parently guarding what is known as the
i" Sleeping Beauty" of whom there is
touching history. The figure repre-
sents Nine. st. Amaranthe, formerly
one of the most lovely women in France.
She was the widow of Lieutenant
Colonel of the Body Guard of Louis
XVI, who was killed in the attack on
the Tuileries in 1792.-Cham6er' Jour-