Sacramento daily record-union., 1881-07-09

lsurels by every new generation, but
of the Corneille, surrounded by jealous
and powerful enemies, and armed only
with his verses, which merely proved
stimulant for the hatred of the cruel and
envious. His first chef d'eurre was the
Cid" and the persecution he received
on account of it is a marked event in his
tory. The Cardinal de Richelieu, who had
pretentlons to literary fame, was as much
alarmed as though he saw Spaniards before
the gates of Paris. He excited all au-
thors against the work and placed him.
self at their head, and exercised
all his power and influence as the
founder of the Academy to have them
condemn the piece. The envious rejoiced
with undisguised pleasure, and SO loud
were their manifestations that even Richie.
lieu found 1T too much. Hewever, those
who desired to give pleasure to the Cardi-
nal did not fail to speak against Corneille,
and when libelous article was published
against the poet without having even read
1t, he forbade Corneille to defend himself
Such was the manner in which the
Cardinal de Richelieu conducted himself
with regard to the "Cid." The
first piece which Corneille wrote after
the " Cid was - Horace" This tragedy
he dedicated to Richelieu, the prosecutor
of the Cid. The author humbled himself
before his enemy so that his lamp of genius
might not be entirely extinguished by the
breath OF jealousy and envy, and it is
painful, heart-rending even, to perceive
how the poet deprecated himself and i'm
,kaI oil @11, =
fact that the all-powerful and learned fame
of the Cardinal had deigned to fall upon
him. The noble poet drags himself at the
feet of the proud politician with SO much
pitiful humbleness that you weep and feel
grateful that those good old times" as
they are called, are no more, and that you
live in an age OF enlightment and Justice,
when genius is not obliged to live as a
beggar on
THE CRUMBS OF IGNORANCE
And tyranny. He finishes his dedication
by saying, g have the honor of belonging
to your Eminence." And what can be more
sad Corneille belonged to the Cardinal
just as Moliere belonged to the King. 1t
is in such manner that the monarchy in its
most glorious days protected letters.
True, Corneille was given pension, but
very feeble one, SO small that he died in
want. The medals and prizes have been
awarded at the salon, but have failed to
give satisfaction, for the same partiality
can be discerned in the choice of the Judges
as that exercised at the time of the recep.
tion of the pictures. The medaiLle de hon
neau was of course accorded to Paul Baudry
for his fine decorative piece of "The
Glorification of the Law" Although
this artist is well known to the
artistic world for his superior deco
rative works, particularly for his
paintings in the foyer of the Grand Opera
House, this is the first serious recompense
he has ever received at the hands Of his
brother artists. Another fine decorative
piece to be seen at the salon is by Mr. JOS
Blanc, entitled the Triumph of Paris"
and which is intended to decorate corner
of the Pantheon. This work is particu-
larly interesting, as the figures all repre-
sent some known political characters of
the present day. The first and most
conspicuous figure is that of Gam
BETA, dressed as Roman Senator.
The likeness is remarkable, and the
idea of immortalzing in this way the most
celebrated French orator of the present
day is considered happy one by the
orators friends, and is not unfavorably re.
ceived by his professed enemies. There is
also the living portrait of Clemenccau,
dressed as a
ROMAN SOLDIER,
Who is apparently wounded, and is carried
in the arms of two other soldiers. Imme.
diately behind Gambetta comes Saint
Hilaire, the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
There are besides eminent journal
lists, as Edouard Lochroy, the SON.
in-law of Victor Hugo, and SO on.
a number of ladies are also repre-
sented, the principal figure being that of
Madame Adam, who, it will be remem-
bered, has the most distinguished salon at
the present day, and possesses not only
literary talents and that of receiving all
noted Republicans with unusual grace and
charm. but sets an example of strict virtue
and honest respectabllity as well. Among
the gentlemen l neglected to mention the
elder brother Coquelin, of the Theatre
Francais. He is the known friend of Gam
BETA, and 1t seems that on learning that the
enlneht orator was TO appear on Inls canvass
he went to the artist and begged him to
therein place his own portrait also, which |
the artist at last consented to do, and in
the background may the actors profile be
seen as it is to be handed down to pos
terity. An American artist received
third-class medal this year, the first medal
received by any American since some years
ago, when Mr.. Bridgman received third
class medal for his Burial OF Mummy"
which picture was bought for Sl0,0 900 by
Gordon Bennett. The fortunate artist on
this occasion is Charles Sprague Pearce, of
Boston. This picture is titled, Decolla.
tion de Saint Jean Baptiste, and represents
two figures, that of the apostle on his
knees with bound hands, while standing
over him is his executioner, who is in the
act of swinging his sword. This last figure
Il L.. IL