Year: 1871




The Duke was punctually on hand,
and entered his box at about five min
utes past eight, attended by NJ. Cata-
cazy, Admiral Poisset, and several Off
GERS of the Russian fleet. Out of re-
spect to the distinguished visitor, the
opera had been delayed, but he had no
sooner taken his seat than the curtain
was raised, disclosing Faust in his
study. The Duke seemed much
pleased at the decorations of his
box, and also ct the vast concourse
of people assembled to his honor, and
before seating himself bowed politely
to the assemblage, and took up po
sition at the extreme right hand of the
box. With his right hand unglovcd
the Prime grasped the lorgnette and
brought it into instant requisition,
scanning the features of Faust closely
as he delivered the opening strains. He
soon got tired of this, however, for soon
the opera glass was seen leveled at
the balcony where some beauty was
seated, the Dukes glass straying in
that direction whenever he thought it
would be unnoticed by the audience.
As the curtain fell on the first act,
Alexis applauded heartily, together
with the occupants of his box, by clap
ping his hands, after which the whole
party left the box for the refreshment
saloon. Before the bell rang Alexis
and his suite were in his box, the open
ing scenes not much interesting the
imperial visitor, who was again
pointing his glass at the balcony, and
it was not until the appearance of
Mephistopheles that the Grand Duke
again became interested in the opera,
applaud1ng heartily at all well-merited
points. The Prince had hitherto been
the observed of all observers, but after
this point, such an interest did the au-
dience take in the plot that they quite
forgot the Prince in the second-tier
box, and centered their interest on the
scene then progressing on the stage.
The box to the left of the Prince was
also we'll filled with Russian officers,
all of whom manifested an all-absorb-
ing interest in the opera, clapping their
hands heartily whenever occasion ne.
cessitated.


Alexis did not appear to take much
interest in the opera, but lounged back
and appeared to be engaged in think
ing Of more serious matters than
"Faust" or "Marguerite." At the
end OF the second act Mile. Nilsson was
recalled, the whole of the Russian off,
GERS applauding tremendously, and
bowed her acknowledgement to the royal
box, after which she returned her CON-
pliments to the house generally. Up
to this time the Russian flag had
been suspended from the royal
box, but ut this point
the crlors were withdrawn, nothing de-
noting the ducal whereabout but the
exterior decoration of the box. In the
prison scene in the last act the Princes
enthusiasm knew no bounds, and he
applauded Miss Nilsson to the echo.
She had, therefore, to return and bow
her compliments to her royal patron.
The boxes were decorated with festoons
of flags lying over the balustrades,
forming device of the red, white,
and blue. The American flag
was also represented golded
stars being substituted in place
of white ones. Although the Prince
had been supplied with copy of the
llbretto, he appeared to be thoroughly
conversant with the whole of the opera,
for he seldom referred to the printed
music. He wore black tie !; his coat,
being cut uncommonly low, displayed
an unusually large amount of shirt
bosom. which, surrounded by his
aignlette and other decorations, gave
hlm very smart appearance.