Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-01-26
OUR PARIS LETTER.
PASSING NOTES OF POLITICS, DRAMA
MUSIC AND AIT
The Presidents Recephon-Daudet's Few
Play-The Conservatoire Of Paris
Next National Art Exhibition.
PARIS, December %, 1888.

ago the Prince Victor published letter de-
claring his unwillingness to figure in any
political role, or to pose as the antagonist OF
his father. Several days ago he published
a second letter, addressed directly to
Prince Jerome, to the same effect. 1t 10
well.known that Prince Victor does not
sympatize with the political views of his
father, and there is NO doubt that he would
be chosen in preference to Plon Plon, II
another empire should De re-established.
There is
no TELLING WHAT MAY HAPPEN
In France, nor how soon. Matters are GER
tainly in a bad state under the present
Republican administration, and change
of any sort would be acceptable. The
President does not seem to suffer from the
sad state of political affairs, judging from
his complieent, smiling face, which IS to
be seen everywhere. He has announced
that he viii give four grand balls this win
ter, the first two to take place during the
month of January, the third in February
and the last in March. The President en-
tertains well, and his balls are always an.
ticipated with pleasure, especially by the
lovely young American girls, who are much
admired by his Excellency. Since the
grand opening OF the Theatre Itahen the
theatrical event of importance was the
representation, few evenings since at the
Vaudeville, Of Alphonse D4udets Lew
play, "The Kings in Exile (Rois en-
ExiD. 1t may be termed
THE GREAT LITERARY EVENT
OF the season, for a new book or new
play from Daudet's pen is a rare fruit and
generally delicious. 1t is admitted that
D4udet has depicted in his "Kings in
Exile" the lives of several Kings and Queens
during their exile at Paris, and it is certain
that the hero who figures under the name
of Christian H., King of lllyria, Is none
other than the ex-king of Naples, Francis
II. That the play was not well received,
that it is regarded as - a fling" at all mon
arches, may he "a sign OF the times" Ger
tainly the play is viewed in a political
light, and the Parisians are expressing
much indignation at Daudet's vailed allu.
sions to the indiscretions Of King WHO
has chosen to call himself the guest Of the
French people. They ask with wonder
ment where Daudet could have encounter
ed his ignobe type Of King-surely not
among the dethroned sovereigns to whom
Paris has offered its hospitality; but, at the
same time, they have drawn up protesta-
tions against the scandalous illusions of
THE "KINGs IN EXILE"
And presented them officially to the ex-
King and Queen OF Naples, who have Just
returned to Paris from the German baths.
Nevertheless, the play continues to be
played and to attract large houses, though
there are many Interruptions, very painful
for the admirable artists who fill the lead
ing roles. Paris has seldom enjoyed such
beautiful acting as that of Mile. Person,
who plays the extremely difficult part of
the Queen of lliyria, the grandly noble
wife OF the iguominious King Christian II.
On the second evening OF the representa-
tion of the Kings in Exile" thsre was
enough OF disturbance in the audience to
make Mile. Pierson excessively nervous.
At the end of the third act she was eyi-
IDENTIFY very much fatigued, when a singu
lar incident occurred which attracted the
attention of the audience sufficiently to
make it oblivious Of the play in its sympa-
thy for the charming actress. Nile. Pier
son held in her hand the crown Of Illyria
from which her hus band, the King, had )len
the jewels and replaced tsem with false
ones, which were held together by golden
threads In her nervousness she pressed
the crown too closely, the threads snapped
into her hands The blood flowed from
her palms and fingers and stained her
beautiful dress IN several places. At the
moment OF the accident Mile. Pierson was
IN the midst OF an indignant reply to the
King, which ends with violent gesture Of
the hands. She dashed the false crown
from her, made the upward gesture of the
hands, and evidently only realized what
had happened on seeing the shiIt-front of
the King
COVERED WITH DROPS OF BLOOD !
She turned very pale, but recovered her
self at once and played in her usual ADM.
rable manner the rest OF the evening. The
Parisians were wildly enthusiastic over
this incident and could not applaud
enough the beautiful and favorite actress.
A striking contrast to the " Kings in
Exile" is the delicious comedy of Philippe
Giles Ma Comarade," which is being
played at the PaIais Royal 1t is full OF
the essence Of Partisan wit, which is by no
means the wit OF the province, and still,
less that of Berlin and London. The gen
uine Partisan wit is the art Of saying ev.
erything with good humor and without the
least trace Of vulgarity. Exactly as there
Is only one Paris, so there Is only one wit OF
this exquisite quaity-the Partisan wit
which expresses many things impossible TO
express in any other language OF before any
other public and which consists of hap
ply chosen words and sentences spoken
with grace and audacity. But Of late the
French have b1en afflicted with Augloma.
MA TO such a degree that the essential
spirit OF French Wit has seriously threat
ened t. become a thing of the past, not
only on the stage but also 10 real life.
tie return in Giles comedy Is welcomed
with relief, which Is perhaps one of the
causes OF Its immense success. GIlle mar
ned the daughter of Victor II ssse, the
celebrated author OF the operetta 8" Paul
and Virginia 1t Is amusing to hear the
Parisisns exclsim With Cutlusia.m, min.
clad with note of surprise and Ct pity,
" Only fancy Gl.e married his wife
" it.itAe . -ls NJ q \ IL Ar+lA- = pJ'
ems are charming and b-aaitaily set &c
music by As intimate trend Ernest Poig
nee, the composer Of some Of the loyehes,
salon music of the day. The statue Of
Dguas reminds the Parisisns that
HALAc ALSO DESERVES A STATUE,
And the preliminary steps have already
been taken. The most notable litterateur;
and journalists have taken the question
into serious confederation. The design vii
probably be intrasted to Bllzac's friend
Gonzales, and the State VIII furnish the
necessary stone and marble, md choose til,
sculptor. The four most important thea
tiers vii esoh represent one OF BalAc'.
plays, the proceeds to assist in defrayine
the cost OF the statue, which viii be placed
opposite that of Dumas. The examina.
ton Of the pupils of the
CONSERVATORY OF MUSIC
Has just taken place. and slwsys excites
interest We were surprised to find that
1t Is not essy to enter the Conservatoire OF
Paris, The applicant must pass a rigid
examination. This year there were sey.
enty aspIrants for the piano and violin
from all parts of Europe, Russia and
America. Many ladies' desired to study
the violin, but only one was accepted.
The Jury stated that it was necessary to
moderate the growing ardor among the
ladies for this instrument, as so very few
were really fitted for It. The piano pupils
L ! e..