The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1894-08-22
Another Letter From across the Atlantic

EDITORS INTErLIGENCER: / have been
in Paris for more than month. IL is the
same beautiful pIace-the queen nf cities.
It contains so much of beauty and interest
that one does not know what to write
about; one subject displaces another at
short intervals in his mind.
At one time he thinks thai q contrast
between the government of Paris and tina,
of one of our large cities would be beneficial
humiliation of our American pride. At
another he thinks that sketch OF these
thrifty French would not be without bene-
fit to your readers who are agricultural.
Then this idea is followed by the thought
that description of some historic monu-
ment would be interesting. Finally he is
sure that all the ladies would be more than
pleased to hear of the latest fashion, which,
iu their minds, Dust be native OF Paris.
Yielding to politeness which always says
honneu7' aur danes, write this letter to
them.
I ask the company of your fair readers to
the grand opera. We shall hear Goethes
Faust, music by Gounod, the celebrated
French composer who has recently died.
Though this is the 990th time it has been
represented here, this does not binder that
there will be full house. and the scene
animating.
We set out at an early hour. The theatre
is situated In the most fashionable quarter
of the city. Several ofthe great Boulevards
and fashionable streets converge about 1t.
This is the heart of pleasure seeking Paris.
Now since we have time before the opera
begins, shall tell you about the building.
This sum p.uous structure stands 10 an open
space, detached from all others, letting its
beauty show unobstructed. In it's size and
richness it is incomparably the greatest
play house in existence. The ensemble is
one of mast pleasing harmony. Ehe chlel
excellency of its architecture is that it
expresses at once its purpose. Ornament
ed with busts of celebrated musicians from
the earliest ages, and trimmed with sculp-
tured instr iuments, that poetry has always
associated with music. the stranger at the
first glance says: This Is temple 10
musio."
Though figures car give no adequate
idea Of the appearance of q structufe' never
theless we sometimes have to resort to
them.
Its length is $50 feet; width 37S feet;
height 800 feet. Its cubical contents are
thirteen times that OF the opera at Berlin.
The herculean work Of building 1t was be-
gun in 1861 and finished in 1872: this alone
costing about seven and half million dol
lars. and representing 675 .295 days of work.
We pass to the interior; steps. white;
ballustrsde, red and green marble with
railing of onyx. Note it well for ills one
of the sights Of Psris. Besides the orches-
ira circle, parquet, etc., there are five gal
leries; the whole seating 2.700. In Its seat.
ing capacity there are other operas toat
excell 1t. It is not the size OF this part that
most strikes the visitor. 1t is the richness
Of the finish: it Is the marble columns,
gilded ceiling and painted dome. The
gliding itself cost in the neighborhood OF
$4,000 But all this Is but the house;
what about the tenants?
In all it takes 500 persons to give one OF
the great plays here. The orchestra con-
sists of 100 pieces. The stage at times re
ouires 200 PERSONS. One is led to ask how
can the institution exist with the charges
for entrance. In, fact it is supported very
largely by the government, receiving q
yearly allowance of $l60 .060 TO supplement-
the other receipts. What an American
notices most of ali perhaps is the presence
OF guards in and about the building. Inc
whole house is under strict military regu'
lation. There is man in uniform at every
turn.
|4prOtu6uau6 f1u b10 Sho1 SsNoeS-S->--
the foyer. n
Gentlemen In evening dress, with tall
silk hats; ladies in the latest gowns from
Worth's and Redfern's. wearing jewelry
from the shops in the Pa Glaisl Royal or the
rue de la, Pair, &nd commingle with that
grace that Is q national CHARACTERISTIC. The
large mirrors set in the wallss encased IN
gilded reliefs, multiply the gay assembly.
Art in the decoration Of the hall as well as
ia the dress of those present, gives the
whole the aspect of fairy-land.
Atthe ringing of the bell We return TO
our, places for the last act. This is the
browning part OF the play. AS Nine.
Carrere ponrs out her soul In that thrilling
song.
PoTtez mon anne All sem deS eienI,
the climax is reached, falling dead her
soul Is carried through the heavens ac-
companied by host of angels seated Of,
clouds rolling resplendent. TO close this
heavenly spectacle, the angels burst into
! the grand chorus.
Christ est TeSsnScite.
Thus having conducted you, fair readers,
where beauty and art reigns eupreme, l
- . W. e BREAzEALE
Parie, France, August 8. 1894.