The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-29


nevertheless. he could speak Of art and
literature with knowledge and taste. Jules
CIarete speaks of a visit which the mar
shall paid to him at the Theater Francois
the day after the first production OF
"Francillon." The marshal had just left
the presidency and seemed as happy as
schooiboy on a vacation. He criticised
Dumas comedy with an accuracy of OBJ
servation that surprised and delighted his
interlocutor.
VI. Theirs was fond of reading and also
Of writing. According to Emile Olliver,
his mind. always on the alert, was elasuc'
acute and far-reachiEg. He had an insa-
table thirst for knowledge. A historian,
he wanted TO know everything, and ne
certainly knew a great deal As chief OF
state he had less leisure than he had dur
ing the empire, when he was the leader
OF the opposition NJ. Barthelemy Saint
Hilaire read for him or marked passages
for him TO read. He had one peculiarly;
he never went to the theater. A little an
ecdote is told Of him upon this subject.
One morning while in his study In the
Place St. Georges, shortly after his inau-
guration he gave an audience to cell
ebrated dramatic author and candidate for
the Academy. The conversation touched
upon the theater Il do not go any more
to the theater," said NJ. Theirs. Il stopped
after the plays of Casimir Delavigne. You
have made a great many changes IN the
theater since that time. l am told that
in your pieces now they drink real tea on
the stage and put real sugar in the cups
Yes, Mr.. President" said the dramatst,
I'VE have changed great deal since the
days of Casimir Delavigne."
Suppose you explain that to me-" said
NJ. Theirs.
That is very simple" remarked his
visitor. Il came to your establishment
twenty-five years ago. Your study was
a great rectangular Office, in the center of
which there was large table covered
with papers, an armchair in front, and all
around ranged against the wall other
chairs. Look at your study now. The
chairs are no longer against the~Tal the
armchairs are in front Of the mantel-
piece, right and left here and there are
stands on which are shepherdesses and
toads, and scattered around everywhere,
looking at each other and their backs to
each other, are little angels, forming pref
~ and artistically arranged groups. Well,
we have done just about the same thing
in the theater." The dramatist was the
author of the Bourgeois de Pont-Arcy," a
piece which was then running. But his
tory does not tell us II Theirs went to YER
ify the changes that were made upon the
stage. moreover, IL VIII De remembered
that THEIRS in celebrated speech, de-
clared to be an enemy of reform.
Louis Napoleon, on the contrary, was a
great theater-goer 1t is said that Rachel
had no more fervent admirer Moreover.
Louis Napoleon had cultivated mind. The
many manuscripts which he left prove this
One of his favorite poets-before the en-
pire, of course-was the author of THE
ode to the Column" M. Paul Meurice
perism, with this suggestive dedication.
To Victor Hugo; from his admlrer, Louis
Napoleon During the empire Napoleon
Ill had a collaboration in the person of
the Empress, who was very fond of read
ing, and kept him au courant OF contem-
poraneous works. There is a story told
of the Empress and Edmond About, who
was publishing in feuilleton the romance
'Germaine. She begged the author not 10
Kill the heroine, in order to avoid a shock
to a young lady who was reading the now
el and was in delicate health.
In Berlin it is Emperor William who
reads to the Empress all the new produc-
tons. William, it appears, is never more
happy than when he is reading a chapter
of romance to The Empress in the even
Ing. II will be remembered that he spoke
OF his literary preferences to Jules Simon
when the latter went to Berlin as a dele
SdNS W alAS GCOIOlliiC congress- Inc writer
who pleased the Emperor best at that time
was the author of the "Maitre de FORCES. -
William displayed a perfect knowledge of
the French language. Jules Simon compIi-
mented him. Your majesty speaks like
a Parlsian." said he.
There is nothing astonishing In that -
replied the Emperor. Il have a friend who
was my professor for ten years and who
remains here with me. He is a Partisan and
ff@e ATAwr
use of an expression or word that was
not correct?"
"Once only" said Jules Simon.
'When?" asked the Emperor.
Just moment ago. when your majesty
made use of the word 'godalller."
" 'Godaiher' is French said the Emper-
or. You will find it in the dictionary of
the academy"
ut is in the dictionary" replied NJ. ST.
mon, but IL is never pronounced in the
academy or in the salons of the acade-
my"
Thank you" said the Emperor. 81 will
remember that. And is that the only
word?"
THAT was the only one, assure you"
Most of the sovereigns of Europe have
some knowledge of French literature. The
Car, at the time of his visit to the acade-
my, told Francois Copee that he had
learned French from his works. The Prince
OF wales read all the works of Dumas fills
ana likes to speak of them. The Queen of
Italy has weakness for Lamartine Queen
Elizabeth of Roumania and the Queen Re
gent of Spain prefer Pierre Lott. Every
body knows that the late Empress of Aus
tria worshipped Henri Heine. 1t has often
been said that her fondness for him came
from the fact that of all the Germans the
author of the 'Intermezzo'' was the one
who was the greatest admirer of France.
Had References.-I hear you have
married Bobbetts divorced wife"