The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-12-22

JEM DEI IA, lOJ w IL IL
of the revocstion Of NJ Duquesnel. Before II
actually took place he had almost omciaiy ~
nounced his candidature he boosted OF having
taken all the necessary measures TO secure the sue
cession to the privilege. and talked OF investing
colossal sums in the enterprise. friend OF Du-
quesnels in ormed him of the fact.
"Do you know" he said ''that of your actors
is ready to embark millon IL necessary in the AZ
fair OF the odeon if he succeed to YOU"
"Yes." replied the witty director. II know who
your nillionnaire Is. IL was he who cameJust now
to ask OF me- an advance OF 20f. on his months SAL
aryI" .41r WI aaas ~ 4gnte III.
In reality those who are we'll informed know that
politics not entirely unconnected with the event
which mas just taken place at the Odeon., Although
Nj. Duquesnel has occupied himself merely with art
and literature he is reproached with sufficiently
discriminating his Bonapartist preferences. His
enemies have even sought in his past LIE precedents
which have no kind of relation with his theatrlcal
administration. Some Of them are perhaps aware
of the following fact. which has probably not rei-
dered the Minstre des Beaux-Arts very indulgent
| During the war Of 1901 the Gauois whose edi-
tor had taken care TO- quit Paris before the invest
which there appeared frequently pen portraits Of the
personaees who constituted the government of the
National Defence. These portraits. sent anony-
mously from Bordeaux, written in mastery
style and could pass Tor chefs dGuryes OF criticism
and witty righteousness. although they never passed
the limits OF courtesy and good taste. For long
while efforts made to discover the Of the
author OF these mysterious but spicy Sketches
Such was the literary Of their style that they
attributed successfully to leading politicians
without suspicion being over directed 10 the real au-
thor NJ. Duquesncl.
lieve / am the first to announce it. However this
may be, it is not the less certain that the political
opinions of NJ Duquesnel have never exercised the
least influence his admin OF the second
Theatre Francois. But that has not prevented its
forming q subject OF preoccupation in governmental
circles
One day M. Turquet. Under Secretary Of the Beaux-
Arts undertook to question NJ. Duquesnel on the
subject.
Il am told."h he said. 'rhat you do not like the
.:The Republic!" rejoined the manager; "on tho
contrary, like 1t very much have the feel,
ings Of regard for it that have for elastic mat
tresses-that is to say. when they have no bugs in
them"
The reply is perfectly historical: but, after ALL It
is not sufficient to justify the revocation Of man
treaty with the government. and who could only be
reproached-it indeed it subject for reproach-
scsne As regards secret hatreds, envious rancors
and political grievances. they could not openly be
avowed.
required. These were furnished by opportunity.
THE JOURNEY TO LYONS.
The manager Of new provincial theatre. de Belle
cour. at Lyons. desiring to inaugurate III bacom-
ing his establishment. of the finest In the
world, conceived the idea OF giving there few repre-
de Louis XIV. with the artists who played the
Odeon. Not having occasion for the services of
those artists who were not included in the cast OF
the piece then being played at the Odeon. NJ.
Duquesnel authorized his stage manager to take them
to the Theatre Belecour. having no idea that the
actors of the second Theatre Francois could demean
themselves by going to get applauded in the second
city OF France on so eventful an occasion In reality
lust as the Coincide FRANCHISE is in the habit Of
| granting to Coquelin. Fabre and Sarah Bernhardt
The artists of the Od6on only availed themselves Of
similar privilege They went to Lyons instead Of
going to London or to Brussels; that was all. and
the difference of locality still to their advantage
But the opportunity was too good to be lost by
the enemies Of the director of the Odeon. The
voyage to Lyons was accordingly taken advantage Of
the famous decree of revocation was the result I
alluded above to the dpdge that made about the
affair. But what serves to give an idea Of the
bitterness that was displayed In is the tact that
the decree is good for nothing. It Is perfectly
less 1t is violent manifestation and nothing more.
| seeing that without reference to 1t N. Cuquesnel
had already determined to send in his resignation
and proted in no way OF the privilege proonging
his management two years longer. which had been
| of the Beaux Arts. He had decided to quit the
theatre himself. and that at the time fixed by the
But his departure did not suffice. 1t was desired
! to infict him . marked disgrace. This
ssdepanss' Of the decree. and also Of the nne
OF 2O00f. specially imposed for the journey to
Lyons. Were we to credit the decree NJ Duques-
mel would be the most incompetent manager Of
past, present or future ages. Far from being
vexed at it, the revoked director got of capital mot
IN Turquet" he said ..ue donne le bonnet ddne: IL
"a s'enrhumer." It would spoil the joke to trans
late it.
DISCUSSED AMONG HIGH POLlTICIAhb
It would naturally be supposed that this proceed
ing would be blamed by the Bonapartists and APP
proved by the republicans. but such is not the fact
On the contrary. the principal members Of the gov
ernment have openly criticised it. M. Gambetts in
particular expressed his regret that ill-advised
q measure. que to subaltern Influences should ever
have been resorted to- and added that he would have
prevented it If he had had the power to do The
President of the Chamber has even gone far to
make serious reproaches on the subject to NJ. Jules
Ferry, VINO, alluding to the caustic and telling
humor Of NJ. Duquesnel. made this curious reply
aov do faaR ,l,afta
This manager always appears to be laughing at me
when he speaks to me. 1t was that which decided
me-"
Is 1t because he knows the kindly disposition of
the great chief of the Left? Is 1t to show himself
beau joueur before he quits the management am
unable to say but what is quite certain is that N.
Duquesnel will soon produce n comedy by young
and unknown author belonging to the semi-poitical
mounted mounted a grand drama Of M. Loman. an who no
belongs to the same circle and who lives
in the same republican centre. Moreover
admitting that the Bonapartsm Of NJ. Duquesnel is
as marked as is affirmed. he has served his party
badly as director for he has produced more Of the
pieces OF republican authors than of others. II
especially for Victor Hugo that he committed his
first offence of prodigalty. 1t was by the marvel.
he commenced his reputation of eteur scene and
great artist. His artistic taste cassed him high in
PROBATION of beautiful effects and who is him
self q prodigious artist independent OF his poetic
genius. Therefore, whatever may DO said to the con-
rary, the immortal author OF tho "Legendc des Size
cles remained to the end his defender and par
tisan. Notwithstanding the efforts OF his eatourdge.
When he heard of the revocation OF him whom he
had hesated to style his ''collaborsteur. it is
said that he exclaimed:--
"what pity lie is the only man that could have
mounted Les Burgraves' for me with the splendor
that l contemplated"
AIT COLLECTIONS OF A MANAGER.
And the that to do great aud splendid things
in the present artistic taste dramatic author Will
look la VAN for the like of M. Duquesnel.
1t that he will reappear at the head of an
otner theatre day other. disem barrassed of
ministerial tuelage and obstacles. He leaves at tho
Odeon veritable museum OF rich furniture. ot1ets
dart aud valuable costumes. Tho mdfkrtei, which
was composed OF mere wrecks and rags when he as
sumed the direction, Is now valued ut more than
25O, O00f. On recent occasion visitor, stopping
before OF the robes of "Basamo"-that Of Mario
Acknowledgements not help exclaiming admir-
ingly:-
II am certain that the new Queen of Spain has
nothing handsomer for her marriage"
What never be sufficiently known are the num-
hnr vuncea which nreccded revocation.