National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-07-24

is the conservatism OF the law makers
when they are asked 10 touch the mar
riago law, that IL is very doubtful II the
necessary notifications will be accepted
this season, as the senate has Just referred
to the council of state certain amend
ments upon the nullity Of marriage, pre-
sented by such eminent men as M. Allou,
NJ, Denormandie and M. Jules Simon.
This reference to the council of state
AN advisory body in oil legislative mat
tiers, when its opinion is asked by the
president or by either of the houses 20 ia
polite way of sitting the bill
for awhile at least, M. Bresson, who is
now president of the ministerial council,
was one of the most strenuous opponents
of the divorce law when II was passed last
year, and IL is to his hostility that the
adjournment of the present measure is
due. Being happily married himself he
cannot conceive that all Frenchmen do
not enjoy the same felicity, and in the
name of mornls he protests against any
further Entertainments on the marriage
law. There is no man in the world so
funny M Frenchman when he discusses
moral question. A curious detail
about the new divorce law is that the class
of society which inveighed the most
against il when il was under discussion
is the one that has formulated the
greatest number of demands. The
working classes and the average middle
class are very SHINY represented before
the tribunal of the Seine, while those
who pride themselves ON possessing the
particuIe no6ilaire figure largely on the
lists.
ART EXHIBITIONS.
The salon has closed, the recompenses
hove been distributed, and to-day the
Inst tableau will have been retired from
the Palais dies Champs Elysees. The
American artists this year were not very
badly treated considering the feeling
that still exists among Frenchmen be-
cause we persist in keeping on the 80 per
cent. duty. The American pictures were
generally well placed, and the award of
several honorable mentions shows that
there WINS no desire to be too hard upon
our countrymen who work here, and who
are not responsible for the action Of the
law makers OF home. From financial
point of view the exhibition has been sue
ceSsful, the receipts amounting to SIC, 200,
and not including $4,000 realized on
vanishing day, which. was sent to the
wounded soldiers in Tonquin. Although
the salon is closed. we are moi
without an art exhibition. Goupil,
who reproduced nearly all of
De Neuville's milit ry sketcees, has
Just placed on exhibition several Of the
later works by the lamented artist.
great many of De Neuville's tableaus ore
in the United States, much to the regre
of his friends. who think that the battl,
pieces representing 80 many sad and
glorious Incidents Of the last campaign
should be in the French museums The
present exhibition is a very interesting
one. Among the tableaus exposed are
the Battle of Tel.el-Kebir," which has
never before been shown in France; til,
Combat at Chenelier," "Guides Cross
ing Ford, land the Grand Maneuvers u
A series of water colors, gouaches, and
pen.and-ink sketches has been hung
alongside Of the the large oil pieces
One Of the sketches, representing tn,
scene after the battle of Champigny, il
of great force aud beauty.
THEATRICAL NOTES.
At the theaters there is nothing new fo
the moment, if l except an operetta il
three acts, The Thousand and SeconC
Night" which has just been produced q
the Chateau d'Eau. The piece wa
originally played at Rheims two year,
ago, and the favorable welcome given I,
it by the Champenoises has emboldened
its authors, Messrs. Burani, Richard
and Ponjade, to represent it at Paris. TIL
piece is not up to the Partisan mark, anC
it will not have long run. The librett,
is dull, and the music trivial and want
ing in originality. With picked-uI
company the performance could not b,
otherwise than poor, but young tenol
named Roberty sang 80 much bette
than the others that he was recalled ant
applauded to excess.
NJ. Jean Richepin read to the commit
tee of the 'rheater Francois yesterday q
comedy in three acts. in verse which il
to he called either monsieur Scapin," o
the "Vieillesse de Scapin The piec,
was unanimously received, and will b,
played in December, or perhaps before
if M. Octave Feuillet's new comedy
"Chamillae," is ready sooner. NJ. Jeal
whose almost literal translation of "Mac
| Detu WIS Iluytl III tne tOTte DU. huTtlu
last year, Sarah Bernhardt impersonatinl
the role of Lady Macbeth. NJ. Richepil
has also written drama on the indian
mutiny, "Nana Sab b." which had o Ger
tain success Mt the Porte st. Martin, whel
the author appeared in the title role b,
the side of Sarah Bernhard. Last au
tunn considerable stir was made abou
Richepin's name in connection will
that of the celebrated actress Sine,
then he has lived in retirement in Alge
ria, where he was born, and in Auvergne
NJ. Richepin's new comedy, which il
very gay, and written in vigorous verse
represents Scapin married to Dorine
They have daughter. Isabelle, whom
they wish to marry to young notar,
clerk. But Isabelle is taken with Desois
Giles, handsome young fellow, who's
esprit is of the same quality as that o
Scapin when he WAS twenty five year
younger. Desoiselles plays some wilt
tricks upon Scapin and the young notar.
clerk. and finally succeeds in cutting GU
his rival by obliging his future father-in
law to submit to the inevitable. There
are two fine roles in the piece for tn
Coquelin brothers. DANIEL D'ARTHEz
|
MINISTER PHELPS NOT DIPLoMATIsT.
A friend of E. j. Phelps, the new min
lister to England, received letter iron
him few days ago giving little &C
count of how he was living in London
Il. A, e.. 4,