Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-05-24
HAD A SYSTEM.

As vas sitting on one of the benches
by the sea, n poorly-dressed woman
came up and began conversation on
the state Of the weather, and then pro-
ceeded to inquire if | gambled. She
told me her husband had been at work
fifteen hours day for ten years, and
had at last perfected system by which
success was certain. and that he only
needed more capital to carry it out. and
was seeking a partner. The poor crca-
ture was evidently tool in other peo-
pies hands. so ! refrained from giving
her my opinion on the subJect--a reti-
cence which was stern sell-denial on
my part.
The theatre is used also as a concert
room, where an orchestra Of about
sixty well-trained performers gives con
certs twice daily throughout the year.
Their repertoire is good and extensive,
and attracts audiences OF refined and
cultivated musical taste from the neigh
boring Riviera towns as well as from
Monte Carlo itself. Many persons 60
from the gamingrooms to the concerts
and stay to hear one piece, and then re-
tire and often reappear before the close
of the performance. Some use the con-
cert hall as a lounging- place, and there
are always people asleep while the mu-
sic is playing, even in the afternoon.
This hall or theatre is handsomely
decorated in the Moorish style, and
the chairs are large and luxu-
rious. so that each of the audi
ence can sit in comfort. The
Prince of Monaco, like other royal
personages, has the finest box appro-
priated to his use. 1t is opposite the
stage, and extends the full width of
the theatre. A delicately-caryed Moor
ish dome on the ceiling is surrounded
by four frescoes, depicting " Singing"
:" Music" " Dancing and " Come
dy," and these are united by moulded
figures of allegorical characters. On
the exterior, among mosaic masks and
other decorations, are Music" by
Sara Bernhard, and Dance" by
Gustaye Dore. Music" is a woman OF
substantial physique and intelligent
face. She is standing with raised head
and rapt expression, and is singing and
playing a Tyre, and child at her
feet is singing from an open book.
Dance =" is light and graceful. She is
tall, slight woman, and is poised on
one foot, the other being advanced and
raised a little. She Is holding ies-
toon Of flowers in both hands, and in
her right, which is curved above her
head, an arrow also. This arrow Gu
pid has shot from his bow. and is vainly
endeayoring to recover by reaching up
his small person on tiptoe. Except ior
the Casino, Monte Carlo is place with
few resources in the way of amuse-
meat. Enthusiastic pedestrians, mostly
Englishmen with heayy-soled boots
climb the hills in the neighborhood,
and from the fayorite one, La Tur-
bie," are paid for their toll by mag
nificent view. Those persons who are
fond of driving make expeditions along
the old and new Corniche roads. IL
has been really hot for the past week
and were it not for slight, treacherous
wind that blows intermittently over
unsheltered spots we might be deluded
into thinking summer had come. As Il
is, many visitors have gone northward'
hoping to find warm, spring weather
there, because the Sun is in full glory
at Monte Carlo.
MILDRED RUSSELL.