New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-01-31

Honors for Historian of Napoleon
-War Remote.

Especial TO The New-YorS Tribune BY French Csblel
Copyright 1907: By The Tribune Associatlon)
Paris, Jan. 30.-The reception given by the
French Academy yesterday to NJ. Frederic Mas
son, historian of Napoleon who has already pub
lished nineteen volumes, presenting the great man
in every aspect of his career In dressing gown as
well as in coronation robes. was the occasion of
something approaching mundane Napoleonic
demonstration. The large ultra fashionable au-
dience collected beneath the famous cupola or
the Institute. The applause became enthusiasts
tic when the new Academican in vibrating Ian
guage compared the Napoleonic epoch with that
of CharIemagne from which. he said, in few
years IL will be undistingushable. Among those
present were Prince Louis Napoleon, seated be-
tween the Papal Nuncio and Count Kheven-
huller, the Austrian Ambassador. Surrounding
the popular Bonaparte prince were General de
Gaffet, Vicomte de Grouchy, Countess Bre-
detti, Mile. de Malakoff, Nine Alexandra Dumas.
Nine. Alphonse Daudet and the Grand Duke
Nicholas. The Coincide Francaise was repre-
, scented by Julia Bartet in a beautiful mauve
gown. with a triangular hat with pearl colored
feathers. In the armchair of the loge reserved
for the head Of the State sat Nine. Loubet, dis
creetly attired in black and white. Close at
hand was Nine Dieulafoy. in male attire, her
smart black frock coat enlivened by the cross of
the Legion of Honor. Frederic Mason wore a
green uniform, the cooked hat of the Academy
and superb sword, the gold hilt of which was
surmounted by an imperial eagle dominating the
globe, and garlands of imperial violets and bees
in amethysts and brilliants NJ. Brunetere. who
replied to NJ. Mason. made a speech brimful OF
illusions so singing and irOnical that Prince
Louis Napoleon arose and left the assembly.
Among other questions. NJ. Brunetiere asked:
why do Americans show such keen interest
and sympathy with the personality OF NapO-
leon"' and the reply. which was greeted with
EXPLANATIONS of surprise and smiles, was, Be
cause Napoleon was simply a glorious parvenu;
his whole career one of brilliant daring,
superb enterprise and instantaneous determine
ton" Altogether this Academic reception was
of greater interest and political actually than
any similar function for many years
Jacques Richepin in a five act play in delicious
verse has presented to Parisians a Falstaf,
which was produced last night with decided sue
cess at the Porte Saint-AIartin Theatre. The
young French dramatic poets versihcation is
finer than anything given here since Rostands
"Cyrano." but he has taken extraordinary lber-
ties with Shakespeare. We find Prince Hal fall
ing madly in love with Anne Page and carrying
her off to the famous Bears Head. where he
turns her over 10 the care OF Hostess Quickly.
Anne. however. is allowed to leave in peace and
when. I'm the fifth act. she learns that her un-
known handsome cavalier is King Henry "
she informs the yol monarch that she will
end her days I'm nunnery. NJ Richepin has
artfuy boiled down the plays OF Henry ""
Henry V" and The Merry Wives of Wind
sor' into a sort of Shakespearian nightmare in
which Falstaft plays the central figure. The
part Of Falstaff, acted by Paul Clerget, is ex-
celent humorous buffoonery although not equal
to the never-to-be forgotten impersonation of
the inimitable Hackett.
Frenchmen confess their inability 10 follow the
successive steps OF the Russo-Japanese negotia-
tons. The newspapers continue to record events
which are now relegated 70 small type and to in
side pages. for confidence prevails at the Foreign
Office, among diplomats and politicians. in the
press and at the Bourse that war is a very re-
mote contingency. Notwithstanding the alarming