New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-02-02
SKATING WITH AN EMPRESS.

TIP EMPRESS EUGENIE-THE IMPERIAL SKATING
CLUB-How THE RULERS OF FRANCE APPEARED
IN 1865
In an interesting conversation reported below,
William +. Marshall. the painter describes the
way in which he was presented to the Emperor and
Empress of France. when the Imperial Court was
al the height Of Its splendor. His presentation was
due In The first place to bis skill in skating. The
Due de MOrny. the bosom friend and adviser of
Louis Napoleon. took notice of his movements on
the zee and afterward showed much interest IN Mr..
Mars all himself The result was that Mr. Marshall
was presented to the Imperial family and skated
with the Empress He gives striking descriptions
of the appearance anl manner of tbs Emperor and
Empress and of the Due de Mornv.
Mr.. MARSHALL's EXPERIENCE IN PARIS.
The upper floor at No. I'll Broadway was
at one time photographers Galery il IL now the
studio OF Wam +. Marshall The sun was shining
through the great curtalued skyicht the bronze f.
urr Of stalwart Italian bootblack when TRIBUNE
reporter called few days The model. with ms
broad shoulders and stalwart chest bare sat immova
ble guarding his box between his legs HIS keen eyes
glanced quickly at the intruder. and then fastened
themselves on vacancy again. Growing under the
pa nter's brush power III reproduction of the
strange brutaly handsome head with IL, massive laws
its bushy blublaek hair. and it's clear brown complex
ion with the carnation stealing through its cBeeks
III Is study or cOWpleNiOh LOT INV htdu Va OiiiH'
that / AN after" observed Mr.. Marshall. 81 picked
tins fellow up in the streets yesterday and the magu
cent cearness of his tint struck at once He cannot
speak word of English, but we contrived To pan q
mime one into INTEL gibiliiy and here he IT,
There is an amusing peculiarly about him. He insists
on backing my boots before posing 1t is his way OF
intimang that he is only model by eondescensloh'
suppose and that his old trade Is chosen one"
Tue head of Christ loomeo large and solemn In the
subdued light caused by the drawn curtain III IS re-
production oil OF the colossal crayHn head exhibited
some years ago. AT foot OF the great canvas was
one Of Mr. Marshals line engravngs from the cartoon
Proofs of The wei known engraved portraits OF Lin
coin Warrington W de HAMPTON and General Robert
f Lee each the production Of the same BRAN, together
with sketches OF every variety OF su9ee' I'D
every stage Of development; etehines, stndes IN
oil, and bl ok ana white, rare engraV'ngs' photo-
graphic copies of pictures and Groicsqne japanese
conceits literally crowded the walls III Oe"huerihg
variety that tired the eye.
While the reporter was making these observations the
MODEL finished his sitting. Then in answer to the
ipoures of his visitor Mr.. Marshall told the story OF
his introduction TO The Emperor Napoleon
at was between the first and the tenth OF January
1868" he said "You see how msensible 10 dis ncon
am when forgot the exact dare. had been Tor several
DAYS working very hlrd In my studio. had an elegant
srudio IN Paris on which had lavished all ycung
artists love The picturesque Isuppose had at tha'
time more than two hundred pieces OF antique stalu'
aryhroken things. principally eeitorsOs, heads ana so
on--and had TO come away suddenly and leave II all
Tie studio too was magDifcentlv furnished though my
landlord was principally responsible for that, as the
hills showed But II q peculiar ROOM IL had
stone floor and n very large skylight aud III winter
time # took some trouble to keep 1t warm
Il had been painting very hard all the morning.
When the industrious I'll of suddenly felt myself
10 be very cold and this made me think or ny skaes'
ALWAYS carried them with wherever went, for l
was passonately fond skating started ont at once
IN nv and find some ice Ths T. no light task in PARIS
where in spite of the Winters, good Ice Is rare
Trusting 70 luck wandered of Till, remote suburb.
among struggling houses and the long sheds OF some
rome. walks I finally came 20 little brook where there
were few fellows sliding. put on my skates just 10
erercse little and II good exercise, too, for
the stream was so that II required some skill 20
turn One Of the sliders who was watching me win
opennouthed admir- aton told me that ought to 60 to
the pond in the Bots de BOuiogne If wished to skate
II was shame for my attachments to be wasted here
without spectators Under bis direction went 10 the
Poia I found a beautiful sheet Of water one OF the
two great lakes splendid ice, and nearly hve thousand
people skating had jolly time, OF course and ms
any man would have done in mixed company skated my
very best skated for two or three days, and
foupd All al once that attracting notice Durug
tins time I a number OF Am means all good Skaters
sorne froo Philadelphia and some from Boston, aud we
nited ourselves against another until quite rivalry
WAS created. Among my compatfOts was one OF 'bc
name of Sutton. inventor, as leard aiterNard lie
came mn TO me one day and said 'Ynu ought to 60
over on the club pond 10 skate. You VIII nave nice
time there and the ellie Of Paris Just jump into
nv carriage and VIII be happy 10 drive you there
got into the carriage with skates on, and AFTER
nneep minutes drive. came to a pond very much
smaller than the had left. 1t would aecommO-
a,e probably no more than two hundred persons and
there were only about thirty skating at that
time The pond was enclosed by rope barrier and
there were number Of geDdaFmes the ice and scat
tercd around Naturally enough got out OF The car
rage seg ped the upon the ice without any
preliminary ceremonies and began 10 skate had been
there hut minute or when the eendarmes began TO
shout aud rush frantically about With my imperfect
/ knowledge of French hardly comprehended that
was the object OF their attentions but they chased me-
! and al length hustled me of the pond.
MEETING THE DUO DE MORNY.
"Mr, Sutton was much incensed, and determined to
have me skate there II 1t possible He told me to sit
s in the carnage and he would the president OF the
club about The matter When he returned he said the
Duc de Morpy the president OF the club, had given the
desired permission. did not want TO 90 on the pond
again alter having been elected IN 30 unceremonous
manner but Mr.. sutton insisted and 80 as favor to
hin | consented
"After had skated a little while DR.. Evans. the IA
! nous American dentist. came up and introduced him
self Afterward the Due dc Moray asked Dr. Evans 70
introduce HIM TO The Doctor did so, and the Duke
! who spoke very good Eugiish-fortunately for me
asked me kindly questions as to where bad lNed
where had learned to skate, and compimented me on
what at home would be regarded as very ordinary skill
FINALLY he asked If woud like TO become member Of
the club Ireplied that It would give great pleasure
He took card his pocket and scrawed his name
IL in pencil presented IL 10 me. with badge of mem
bersbp which he himself pinned 10 coat told HIM
would willing TO pay the usual fees but nc SAID tnat
| vas unnecessary; the membership was an honorary
| one So to-day am a member OF the Imperial skating
%yhe Duke ss remember him at that time had a
somewnat foppish appearance He was dressed ne an
English dandy, and never womb nave supposen i1t
| ,nnnent that he was q OF rank. Thought Nun
rather shallow and superficial. When learned who he
vas studied his closely, and then easily observed
49, cha racler ordinary man.