Birmingham age-herald., 1895-07-14
GOSSIP FROM BOOKLAND.

It was only year or two since that a work. An Englishman in Paris caused such discussion and widespread interest, and last year the unknown author pub lished another work, My Paris Note Book" which has proved equally as in- teresting
 The author claims he does not "pose" as a historian, but loves to wander into the by-paths of history.
 Many of the interesting anecdotes are obtained from the private notes of two of the authors uncles. who resided in Paris and each of whom was the per sonal and near friend of Louis Napo- leon.
 These two uncles the author visited in 1855, when only a lad of 13 years. His little book is a running and smooth &C., count Of noted perSonageS and happen- 1Dgs in Paris for many years, and forms very instructive as well as very delight full reading; quaint, characteristic rem iniscences of people we have learned to known in hisory always possess a catchy flavor that appeals to our senti- ments.
 The author says he has always found it difficult when writing about France to keep the head of Napoleon I out of his memoirs, and a delightful portion of My Paris Note Book Is the anecdotes of the great general.
 Napoleon IT, too. when in the mood shone brightest on the subject of his fa- nous uncle. An amusing little anecdote is told of a play that was brought out dn the heyday of his uncle's glory Lennercier and Napoleon had become es- tranged.
 'Lemercier brought out a play at the Odeon entitled 'Christophe Co., lomb.' Lemercier it appears, had more empire put together. and in this Chris tophe Colomb' he made an attempt to break through the iron chain of the three unities of time, place and action.
 Odd to relate, the most violent opposi- tion to the innovation came from the stu dents of the Quarter Latin. The em- peror had neither read nor recommended the play. The first night was fruitful of broken heads and limbs. There was a second performance by command on which occasion there was a strong dis play of military and police, and over 300 students were arrested, and the rioters were ordered to be incorporated in a reg iment under marching orders for Ger many. They had better vent their bel licose ardor on the enemy than on their own countrymen, said the emperor. The emperor would not give in and decided there should be d third performance, at which he and the empress would be pres ent The first two acts went off without a hitch: the scene was laid in France and
 
 for the principle of the unities for which the students battled was not violated
 Tt was the change from terra firma to the deck of Columbus vessel that had aroused their ire
 At the opening of the third act the em- peror was seen to straighten himself, while Josephine looked uneasy-a deep, deep silence had fallen upon the latter. This went on for several minutes when suddenly there arose upon the air gen. tile, soft breathing, as of so many people catching what the English call forty winks.' Thereupon the emperor looked round. From the upper galleries to the front benches of the pit three-fourths of the spectators had donned nightcaps, with large tassels standing erect: their heads were reclining on theiS breasts and they seemed wrapt in peaceful slum- ber. The emperor burst out laughing.
 
 "But the fact is that Marie Louise did mot shed tear either in public or in pri- vate, from the moment she left Paris. 1t was the Comte de SainteAulaire who undertook to announce the catas- trophe to her, and I have the