The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-11-02
PARIS At Thu THEATRE
IN. Coquelin's Attempt to Get His
Fellows Decorated.
ANNIVERSARY SHIPPERS
And the Results to Authors, Guests
and Restaurateurs
PANS. Oct. 10, 1879.

a.
In France. but more especially in Paris every
thing relating to the theatre possesses an impor-
tance OF which no idea can be formed elsewhere.
Of twenty persons conversing the street there
are at least six or seven talking about piece
popular artist The consequence is that actors
have ceased to be simple amusers the public who
arc paid according to their talent. They are per-
sonages, public men like the Minister'S Senators
and Deputies. II they have been formerly victims
OF prejudice which degraded them to the
lowest social rank they have now the benefit of
prejudice scarcely less absurd which makes OF them
beings Of u superior essence. Formerly sufficient
Importance not attached to them; now they as
sumo too much 1t is this which explains tho atten-
ton which has recently been excited in reference to
question which specially interests them-that Of
the Cross Of the Legion of Honor. You are aware
of the importance which Frenchmen attach TO
decorations. The red ribbon OF the Legion
OF Honor and in the absence of that
ribbon of any other color is the highest object of
ambition to all, even to the least vain. Dramatic
artists. who gifted with incompatible degree
OF amour propre. and who always exhibit an irresst-
IDLE taste for show. naturally covet more than any
other class the decoration. But. Notwithstanding
that since the the government has been prodigal
of the Cross. and that the time is hand when
all France will the red ribbon in the button
hole. actors have up to the present time been
excluded from that distinction. It has been
held that their profession did not permit
Of their being admitted to that distinction.
for 1t would be irfra dig to sentinel give the
military salute to man who was exposed on the
stage receive kick the least worthy part of his
person. Therefore, when 1t became advisable to
decorate great artist he only received the Cross
professor. and that only when he had definitely aban
doned the dramatic profession.
VANITY HONOR
Now. for some time past it has been seriously de-
bated In ministerial councils whether 1t would not
be advisable reconsider propriety Of this ex-
clusion. Napoleon l.. the founder Of the Legion
of Honor. did not venture to decorate the illus
trious tragedian Talma. but M. Grevy. holder than
Caesar is disposed to decorate all the leading actors
Reduced to its real Importance the question the
decoration OF artists is really not worthy Of much
consider tion. It would be simpler aud wiser to
reserve the attention bestowed it for other prob
lens of more serious and general interest But in
Paris 1t occupies the attention of the public
much the internal complications created by the
policy of the government. The newspapers have
engaged In poleInics this important subject,
the buttonhoie Of NJ Got. the doysn of the actors
OF the Coincide Franchise occupies. am ashamed to
confess, an enormous place in the preoccupstions
the elder Ooquelin. 1t was he who. owing to his
lsons with political circles first the shock to
ever should state that there Is great deal Of dis
interestedness In his case. M. Coquelin wants to
have theatrical artists decorated not TO benefit him
self. but his two comrades-Got and Delaunay. His
titles to the honor certainly equal to theirs, and
rs or y no ns
for nothing: he does not even want the Cross "Why
should be decorsteds' he says. "Gsmbetta has no
coouELIN. GOT. pxIAuNAY.
Unfortunately this question threatens to remain
stationary. M. Gambetta Notwithstanding his
warm friendship for his oomrade. Coquen. has
ceased take any further interest In it. At first
full A decree to have appeared in the Journal
ODiciel nominating NM. Got and Deaunsy ohevaliers
M. Dolannay. oficiousy informed by NJ. Coquelin.
communicated the happy intelligence to all his
Royal. where the decorations are sold. to provide
himself with little supply of ribbons. Ho WAS
even seen before gla. ~, on the 59yer OF y, the
insignia new frock coat. The question, in
short seemed to be decided, when it suddenly trans
pired that the decoration OF theatrical artists
question postponed tor further consideration. the
decree announced did not make Its appearance in
to cousign to y drawer OF his commode the ribbons
that had hastily purchased. The matter IL not
decided against the two artists. but there
il the less disagreeable postponement in their
case. The government hesitstes. Coquelin does his
best to his friends but they are far from
The truth is that NJ. Coquein has. without sus-
pectng it. compromised the cause that he wished to
serve On occasion when discussion arose in
foyer of the Coincide Francase to the chances
OF his efforts he went 30 far as to say:-
ut will DO done all the same. II will be done be-
Cause / wish it,
This declaration was reported to NJ. Gambetta, and
was productive of the worst possible effect. The
friendship which binds these two men-the uuri-
vailed artist and tho great tribunes on both sides
OF the warmsst and sincerest character. Neverthe-
less when the comedian. owing 10 this high connec-
ton gives himself s9s a.. airs p Of Io,itic,sn he runs
Der. who often reproves affectionately his petuant
friend. and always advises HIM to confne himself to
~ttsf~ An1d In xvh fnh hA h,l.u
place. But M. Coquelin Is of exuberant nature.
In spite of the advice givon him. in spite OF his
better reflection, he allows himself to be carried
away by the impulse OF the moment. giving his |
opinion and his advice about every thing with loyal
his grasp. But he cannot help himself. he com
promises necessarily his friend Leon, he calls
the most perfect good faith things OF this kind
Ferry had better take cure not to annoy mo, or /
will upset him. have already upset Barbour. AS
to me, when want something go direct Grevy,
and not to the Ministers. want no Intermediates.
When Gambetta became the leader of the republic
party Coquelin was asked to give up the famil-
lar habit OF addressing him involved In the use of
the pronoun tn. an being inconsistent with the
spect duo to his new position. Coquelin tried for
fortnight to conform to tho recon mendstion, but |
could never succeed
AS may readily be conceived, no often renders i'm |
possible the decisions in which no is the most in-
terested. But after all. there but few In
stances Of comedians giving themselves SO
their comrades. for there s no profession In \
which jealousy exercises so large an influence
both open ana secret. Therefore, no matter what
may be the polical sentiments OF his comrade,
Coquen is very popular in the Rue Rchelieu, and |
he has remained tho entant gate of tho establish.
ment where no made his debut ut the age OF scven-
teen This does not prevent them continually play
ing off little jokes upon him by sending his dress
ing room the most reactionary of tho newspapers.
This always puts him in u rage; but he soon cams
down. for his temper IN excellent. little detail will
show to what an extreme he carries his feelings ~
politician
MEnELY AN INCIDENT.
During the reactionary period OF the 10th of Nav
sort ct pane took place among tho leaders Of the
republican party. Whether rightly or wrongly they
apprehended coup dttdt. Several OF them feared
to return to their homes to sleep. Approhendinq
that they would be arrested they took all
precautions to avoid 1t. NJ Gambetta alone seemed
Indifferent on tho subject. conseque caused
great anxiety to his political friends. Coquelin
was not the least uneasy on the subject He fanced
himself watched. follow ed aud kept constantly under
surveillance by the spies and agent OF moral order
Nothing could disabuse his mind OF the idea that
la Irop la md mil rotn a.,