The New York Herald Newspaper, April 18, 1875, Page 7

FRENCH LITERATURE. Death Busy Among the Writers. QUINET----ACHARD----PERDIGUIER. What the Parisian Publishers Are Doing. AMERICAN BIOGRAPHIES. Abraham Lincoln Viewed Through French Spectacles. A LIFE OF GENERAL LEE. “TAncien Orient”---Vitet’s Life of Comte Duchatel---Fiction, pees eae iy SIMONIN'S” “ACROSS THE CONTINENT.” Panis, March 30, 1875, Since my lest letter was despatched death has been busy among Frencn littcrateurs, Within a few days no less than three have passed away, al remarkable ia their respective lines and ail in the julness of age. Of the three the best known and she most likely to be regretted in the Uniied States \s Kdgar Quinet, who died at Versailles on Satur. tay last of an attack of apoplexy. He was born at Bourg (Ain) on the 17cn of February, 133, and had, consequently, just compieted nis seventy- second year. It is unuecessary jor me to trace the Bistory of bis long and jaboricus career, As soon ka his death was announced by the cable the iu- Gustrious compilers of obituaries, at your side, ad, no doubt, immediate recourse to Vapereau, in whose carefuliy compiicd pages .all the in- tidents of his busy and eventiul life are minutely recorded, In M, Quinet’s death the Frenen democracy and the extreme Giuche sustain & severe ioxs, Though he toox but little or no part in the debates Im ihe Nationa! Assem- bly, he was nevertheless one of the covsulting Chiefs of the party, aud itis probable that to us infuence, along with that of M. Gambetta, was due tne policy of prudence and seil-restraint which has cf late marked its course, and Waich bas had for its result tne form! recognition of the Repub- lic, Altnough at various periods of his life ne dis- tinguished aimself by the violence of bis radicalism and his intense hatred o! the priesihood, he nad frequent returns to moderation and good sense, | and in the latter portion of his career he no doubt repented of much that he had said ana written and would gladly have made amends for it if itvere in bis power. He was aman ei tne Btrictest rectitude and nicest sense of honor, and therefore it would be uulair to assume that the Occasional extravagance of his views was due to anything but errors of judgment or the influence Of Dis politica: associations. When agreat trach Mantiested itself to bis mind he was never de- terred irom its enunciation by tue fear of disple: img those with whom he acted. Let me cite as evidence of the moral courage of tue man the pic- ture drawn by bim cf tue death o: Louis XVL, tu the work entitled “Revolution,” and from which I will content myself with quoting the concluding | Mines which I find ready to my hand in one of the Journals of this morning. * | forgive my enemi: All the drums of San- terre could not stifle inege words nor prevent them reaching the ears of posterity. Louis XVL Blone spoke of forgiveness from the height of that teaSold to whica others were to bring sentiments f Vengeance and despair. By that fact he sull seems to reign over those who are about to follow Bim to death, full of their earthly hatreds and pas. Sions, He alone seems ireea from them; he alone im possession 0; heaven, while tne ot! re quare Felling with each other almost under the kalle. . * - * . * ° “The human conscience will always be uoeasy in she presence of C! I, or Louts XVI Accord. ing to the new right of revolutions, they would be condemned as guilty of lese-revolution, Bat they Were allowed to grow in the sentiment of another pubiic right, Quder which they were irrepressible and infalitvle, lt was the only legality of which ‘they had any consciousness. In tnvolviog them in & common culpability they were stricken by a law to which they were strangers. Therefore, even though they mignt have been the guiltiest of men, there remains an eternal disquietude in the soul Df posterity, which judges in last resort the legit- (macy of the scaffold.” Altnough the style of this extract is labored and diMcult its purpose is clear and worthy of all Praise. Quinet was a much better man than his enemies represented him to oe. Had he lived tn @nother country and in different times, it is not improbable that be would have veen one of the Most conservative of men. AMEDER ACHARD, Amédée Achard, whose death at the age of | MxXty-eight would seem but the exhaustion of the Matural term allotted to 4 man of siudious and laborious habits, died, strange as it may appear, from the ive years ago in his duel with Fiorentino, the celebrated critic. It will be remembered that ‘the person alities in which the latter indulged pro- voked reprisals on the part of the Société des Gens de Lettres, which so annoyed Fioreutino that ne fesolved to challenge them sepurately, and he accordingly commenced in the alphabetic order Dy calling out Achard. The author of “Belie- Rose,” who has never been wanting in personal @ourage, accepted the challenge and the parties fougnt witn swords, Acnard received & thrust in the cl which nearly periorated one Of bis lungs, and he lay for Weeks between lite aud death, Fiorentino fed to London and he was so Sonvinved of the certainty of nis opponent’s death that he began making preparations to remain in England and actually entered into written ar- Fangements with a translator and pubdiisher to bring oUt @ series of novels in English, He ex- pressed to me at the time the deepest regret for the misfortune of his opponent, of which he had been the unuappy cause, and there is every reason to believe from the way in which he spoke of him shat nis death would have reudered him a miser- sole man, Luckily Achatd recovered, but the wound left behind it @ delicacy of the langs which toree or four times subsequently, nearly proved fatal to him and which finally kilied bim alter an interval of nearly aqaarter of a century. The Geceased novelist was one of the most prolific writers Of bis time and bis works are beid in bign esteem. There can ve no greater evidence ot their popularity (oan the fact stated in ove of the Paris journals that the number of newspapers in Which nis romances had appeared exceeded @ thousand. M. Achard was 4 Protestant and = at the services over nis remains In the Protestan: church in the Kue de Provence there way au immense gathering of peuple o1 ail classes and persuasions, desirous to puy a tribute DI respect to the memory Ol their favorite author. M, Acnard haa only jus completed anu pablisned tis Dew novel, “Lau Cape ct Lpée,” when he was actacked oy is last \iness. I shall take occasion 10 speak or it Jurcber on in this jetter. He leaves Gnfinisved, it 18 said, & couple of romances and several dramatic pieces. Ic i# (0 be hoped that nis literary exeoucors will find them suiticiontiy ad» Vanced to give tuem promptly to tue pauowc, AGRICOLA PERDIOUIER, The third writer, to whose aeatul have made Sliasi0o, is M. Agricule Perdiguier, wno owed a fOod deal of his reputation .o the irequent men How made of him in Kogene Sue's works, He was bora 4) bumble parents, ia a smal towa named NEW YORK HERALD, SUNDAY, APRIL 18, 1875.--QUINTUPLE SHEET, Morteres, near Avignon, and, while workin; mechanic, educated nimeelf by devoting to study at night the hours that should have been appro- priated to sleep after a long spell of unremitting labor. After composing a number of work- ingmen’s songs, which attracted attention he published in Paris a couple of volumes on the benefits arising from trades unions and which were designed to put ao end to the jealousies aud quarreis which had previously existed among the guilds, and be had the satisfaction of living to see his efforts crowned with success. Sent to the Chamber in 1848 by the departments of Vaucluse and of the Se:me, he made bis selection in Javor of the latter and voted constantly with the Leit. Arrested on the 2d of December, he was exiled to Belgium and interned at Antwerp, where he wrote several other works on the duties spousibilities of workmen and trades’ union returned to France in 1857 and kept @ small hotel in the Rue ‘raversiére St, Antome. He died on Sunday last of apoplexy, at the age of sixty-nine years. THE BOOK TRADE. Although complaints are general here regard- ing the stagnation of trade, lhave never known greater activity than is being displayed in the pub- listing business. New publicavions follow each other with such rapidity that it is dificult to keep tne run of them, Why the publishers should prosper while ali other classes of tradesmen are suffering 1s an enigma which I cannot pretend to solve. 1s 1t because people In general having little to do Nave more time to read, or is it because French tradespeople are constitutionally given to grumbling? 1 rather incline to the latter con- clusion, I nore with pleasure the growing tendency on the part of French writers to seek ior subjects of discussion and illustration on the otuer side of the Atlautic. This is to be accounted for by the sympathy which is being created between France and the United States by a similarity of political institutions, a8 well as by the natural desire whicn prevails aimoug sincere republicans at this side to strengthen their cause by precedenis and exampies borrowed irom our history, In a coun- try like this, im woich for more than hall a century corruption has stifled everything like social and | political morality, it became necessary to sumu, late into activity those feelings of national pride and self-respect Which have go long been discour- uged or kept in sudjection. Wnat more ready means can ve found of doing this than by showing from the lives of the founders and conservators of our republican iostitutions in America, that men of the humbiest beginnings nave been among the most powerius instruments raised up py the Almighty for the advancement and preservation O/ our !ibertics. Ii 1a, therefure, @ healthy sigp Woea we see French writers devot- ing their pens to the illustration of such cnarac, | ters. It suows that they are impressed with the importance of that best and most irreprouchabie Ol allaystems Of poutical propagandism—that of teachiug by eXample—and it jurnisies them witn | an effective means of combating the insidious | agencies ol the Bonapartist organization, wwe scaemes aud practices of woicn have been so ably | exposed in the report of M. Savary to the National | Assembly. | ABRAHAM LINCOLN, Of the class of works of whicn I have been speak- ing one of tne fairest examples that I can select is | M, Jouauiv’s Lie of Abraham Lincoln, which has | Just been published by Haciette & Vie. It is ail | the more interesting from the tact that the aucuor is not only weil acquainted with the United States, | but was actually an eye witness of some of the closing episodes of the life o! nis iliustrious suh- | ject. He nad been making o tour of tue States | and arrived in Washington just in time to witness the Inauguration of Mr. Liscoln for his second Presidency. It “was a solewn moment. Congress bad voted the abolition | of glavery, the South appeared worn out | and everytuing seemed to indicate a speedy | termination of the unnatural contest thar had so long desolated tne Union. Tue President, sur- | rounded by his Ministers, the Senate and the members of the dipiom.tic corps was about to | renew his oath of fidelty to the constitution. ‘rhe Frenchman wa; among the eager spectators of | | this interesting scene, and be descrives the deep | impression made upon bim by the uncouth put striking face and figure of the man to whom the Repubiic was for the second time about te confide its destinies. “His movements,” says M, Jouault, | “were slovenly and awkward; his iorm was long, | Janky aod angular, and was mo‘e than six Jeet in | height; his shoulders were stooped, and at his | sides dangied long, listless arms that mignt bave | befitted a boatman, ana which terminated tn | hands of extraordinary size, pot disproportionate, however, to that of bis feet. He wore an ill. Atting black coat that gave him the appearance ofan undertaker, and a black cravat iastened with a large bow, the ends of which hung care- lessiy over his coat faps. His turned down shirt collar displayed tu view the muse! of @ sallow | aud sinewy throat, above which, emerging trom | @ quantity of wiry black hair, just like a | mrove of firs, rose @ face irresistibly attractive. | 1c L was astounded at first by ois lengthy extremi- | tles and enormonas ears, I was svon fascinated by | the benignancy, the inteiligence and tne air of | | simple wisdom that characterized his physiog- | nomy.” Tous does M. Jonauls present nis hero to | his readers, and it must be acknowledged that tho portrait is not overdrawn, All who nave ever seen Mr, Lincola must have been simUarly im- pressed by their frst view of him, The speech which the President proceeded to deliver con- firmed the favorable judgment inus formed at Aret sight. It was marked by sincerity, tratbful- ness and an air of proiound conviction, Toe same evening our author was presented to Mr. Lincoin at the White House. He saw him twice afterward, | at a banquet and at a ball, and then Gnally at tne Scene of his death—Ford’s Theatre. He wit- | messed the incidents of the murder, and it was the horror created im bis mind by the event, as well as his admiration of the iliuscrious yiorim, which inspired the present volume) for it was commenced @ few days aiter Mr. Lincoln's deatn, thouga only now completed. “Since then,” sa; M, Jouauls in his preisce, “iaithful to his memory, I have eudeavored to reproduce him as i knew bim and to make the wisest, justest and nonestest man of this our nineteenth century live over | again.” Undertaken in such a spirit and with such op- portunities the work cannot but prove gracetul to every patriotic American heart, while by French- mea it will be found full of instruction, Tne vol ume contains about 240 pages, iwcluding the ap- pendix, and is divided into three paite—tne first giving a very minute account of the youth of Mr. Lincoln ; tue second of his political lie, commen- cing im 1847; and the third, of his Presidential career, The first Dart will naturally be must to- w ting to French readers a8 being least known totuem, M,Jouault bas compiled it with ioving care, drawing lits acts irom tne most authentic sources Of injormation and sedulously eschewing | everything that did not bear close investigation. He especially recommends this portion of the book to his countrymen, and impresses upon them the fact that Mr. Lincoin {uifiied all the promise of Dis youth, “vecause great pr @ vir tues are) §=more§=6powerful §=agents = in toe cause Of justice and of liberty than ali tho efforts of political genius uneo, companied by morai excelience, Mr. Lincoln, like many Other great men, said of himself, ‘All that Lam, ail that | would fain oe, I owe to my mother,’ She taught him to rely on Providence, and to 66 just im ali bis dealings. His father exacted constant Occopation and prompt obe- dience, Hard poverty added its stern lessons to | this already severe tratoing, and thus was tormed One Of tue nobiest and grandest churactors 01 our times,” Critically spearing, tue vook has sume serious faults, The style is iooae and wanting ia power of condensation, but these deiects are | atoned lor by the interest of the subject ana the uapreiending Way in Which the story is told, M. Jouaalt is evideatly an hone har. ing the courage of i) a caring lit tie Whom be may dispiease by this hearty trivuse | to the model American repuviican, KOBBKE B. LKB, Tne Volume recently published by Hetzel, unoer the tite of “Un Vaineu,” hes ior ite hero another American, a9 honest aud pare in character, no dou as Abraham Lincoln, bur, wafortunately | fof the CounITY, O01 a8 Bound OF bayacioud in kus | | was | Made 1s appediauce, | Judging ia conduct aud motives, meet With those qualities In @ Werk Ol tuis Kind | political convictions. The author of the book is Mme. Boissonas, and it 18 dedicated to her sons, for whose benefit she says it was written, The example of Lee, she thinks, will Inspire them with @ sense of duty and ardent patriotism. If 18 unfortuaate that the example that this jady holds up to the imitation of her ebildren should be that of @ man whose sectional preéverences and talents wrongly employed snould have protracted usclessiy a ranguivary struggle and entailed countless miseries upon bis country. What sort of model is that of a soldier who could give utterance to such @ sentiment as this:—The most dificult thing in revolutionary times is not to do one’s duty, but to know it”? Lincoln never could have expressed such an idea, He always knew his duty aud never hesitated an instant in the performance of it. Much as Ladmire the patience, fortitude and sweetness of Lee’s characy tory? must say that [cannot sympathize with this book, which seéms to me intended to encourage the spirit of iaction in France by cevoting to the rank of patriotic aims mere partisan devotion, ‘The time 1s perhaps not far distant when those to whom the book is adaressed will find themselves like Lee compelled to make their election between their country and their “section.”’ I theretore regard with distrust @ work which, while Ostensibly written to impress upon the growing generation in France a sense of patriotic duty, selects for its exemplar a man whose sriendsuips and affections overruled the dictates of his conscience, and whose infldelity to the national fag cost him the severest mental anguish, It 18 curious that Lee’s biographers should be mostly women, The fact is consistent with the generaily received opinion that the war of secession was one of sentiment rather than conviction, Hence it was that the women of tne Confederacy exercised so powerlul an influence in keeping alive the spirit of rebeilion and in pro- tracuny the struggle iar beyond the period wnen the certainty of jaliure had impressed itsel! on men’s nunds, petticoars and the poets, By serioas minds he Will merely Le rauked among the men who might have aciieved great things had they beeu in Nuenced by settled convictions. Of course, 1 wil be understvod as speaking of Lee as a soidier and siavesman only. ois private life was pure and free Irom blemish, aud it is only to be Woudered at how so g0ou and virtuous a man could nave been betrayed inty such errors of judgment. “L' Ancien Orient,” by M, Léon Carre, possesses @n interest 1udepeudenc of its subject and which 18 connected with the career of ihe gutbor him. sell, M. Carre bad already acquired wealth and position as @ notary ac Semur, on tue Cote d’Or, when he took 1t 1at0 is head LO devote bis lile to Oricutal literature, With un energy that Would have appalled eveu a German votary of culcur- kampy be vegan by learning Boglon, German and Heview, Theu being adie to read febrew Works iu the original text, be devoured everything that had beeo written in inat language, togetber with the Works vi Engiisl and Gerinau transiators aud | | cCoumescators, Aiter speuaing thirty years 1a these preparatory studies be commenced lis own Work, COUSISMLe Of lour Volumes oF 400 pages each, wien embrace bis suimmury and crinesm oi the lavors of other writeis upon ike Kasi ‘RwelVe Moulis ago, Dis great task accomplisucd, he Came to Paris wita His MSS. in searca of a puolsher, But be also brougnt with him tue seeds Oo; & malady contracied his lony sedeutary lie, aud aier @ Consultation With sume O: ihe ieading surgeons, ne resolved 1o suomit to au Operation ior the sione, Wao.cn performed wituout the wid ot chioro- form, —ihis over returned to sSemur io walt for his proof sheets. When the rst batca arrived he wus ill in ved. Wuen the second reached its destination le Was dead. fis Widow, Who acts ag us llerary eXecutor, Dus just -}Uoushed the two first volumes ol ihe Dv0k. Su far ay a judgment cau oe sormed irom tuew the Work 1s @ Invnument of parent ia- vestigation una iutelugent comparison, tending to elucidate much that is aouvudl and puzzhug ib the Siatements OF Oriental WIL eis. M, Vilet’s Diugraply oi Comte Ducnatel has atiast It is imterestuug, boca from Its SUbjeCt Gud Mode Ol treatment, M. Vitel was Lhe intiwate irieud of toe Oriewnist Minister, oUt bis Natural parciality for the man 1s so tempered by the iuevitaue exercise of nis critical facuities that the work# resizes a nappy cumbinguon of syiupatny tor Lhe stucestnan Aud of mm, arciality iD it is su rare to ne that it lmparts to the viograpuy a [resho and biguaucy tuat reuder it pecullariy atiractive. Toe introduction tas unlor.duately been lvit un- finished, ow.ug to the fact ol the autuor having pests surprissd by deach ere ue had completed his abo. 8, ANCIENT FRANCE. M. Felix Rocquain’s new work “Etudes sur PAuMenone Frauce,” makes is appearau Or. Uuale Lie, MasMUCH as i1t Wil Meip to disp the scepticism of tuose Woo, alter jour years of the moss sulisiactory experience, stil persist in dvuvting tbat iveral institutions cam confer per- | maneut bappiness anu prosperity upou Fra ‘Loe Materials O: the OOK wre Luken Irom tue dave: UmeDis preserved in the Puris Depuis d’Arcuives, and by weir aid M, Roequaio fas recufled the slutemeuts of the parisan Writers wuo have Wade Oistory to Bult Lue Jeignlug powers or pib« lic Views of Lbeir time. His researches into the origia and elects Of absolute power in France Previous to 1789 lead wevitably to tue conclusion Thut each period of ewancipatiun in wiicu the POlitical Lie Of the Latiou Las developed itself hus been oue Of prosperity and progress aod that cM step made by royalty toward absolutism hus been # misioriune for the country, 1 trust that me American puvlisher Wil uadertake a traus- lation of (his rewarkable Work, ‘ihe lessons tuat ib Leuches will be luund prodiabeé, even im our democratic orm of society. They will help to correct (hat teadency toward ceatrauzation and independeuce of pubue opinion waica.unioriu- ately o1 iate years bus Markeu the wurse of our rulersin Wasaington. ACKISS THE CONTINENT. M. Simonin’s uew work “A Lravers les Etats Unis Ge Atiauligque au Pac.Mque" is lively and interest. ipg, though # little Lewd ime. A journey by couch, over the old overiand route, curries us Duck to & period cOuparatively recent in point Oi dave, it i# Wue, Dat still @ uecuae or two distant in poiut of progress, Evea ior Frenca Feaders the story of tuuse days las compara. Uvely but ittle imterest, What tuey waut wo hear about now 14 the wonderial speed aud the comparacve comiors With Walco travellers are wuiried over tue vleak p.aios aud endiess wastes tuat he oeiween Omaha and san Frao- cisco, Of course all that portion of tie book that relaces to Murmonism and its practices makes attractive reauing jor Frencnwen. There 18 no subject in which toey wre more inqoishive than (he maoner in Whica Wives are Managed In Utah, ihey nave so much troabie with iuelr Own complicated do- Mestic relations that they would giadiy vorrow @ lesson or two irom Brigham Young. FICTION. In the department oi ticiion there are but few issues Of speCtal iuteresi to pole. row the press O1 Macaette & Co,, We have a new uovel “si6 Kovei,"” which seems to uit the prevaiuing tas! 1b is cleverly aud amustagiy writcen, and peruaps the most adiasing leuture Of it is CoMt 1b prulesses tu be moral, Lae author's ideas Of morality, how- ver, strikes one to0¢ about om & Dar Wira bis Acquaintances witu Kaglisa notious and habits. Lady Rovei is @ Jemme galante, Wuo, buying Ovtained ao smicavie separativa from her weary Bpou-e, devotes herself at the ripe age of forty to au arduous search alver @ male ideal, [tia scarcely necessary to say (hat she passes through years of Intimate and oiscouraging experiences Witaout @lta:ning ner object. Ler littie cauguter, Meg, is, Ol course, hegiected, and EE up @ wild, uotu- tored vut beuutisul girs. nat may Bot be ex- pected irom tae coild of Such a mother. She per- Jorms ieats Wulcu olen make ‘eader tremuie, Aud Wa.ch the Worl in general Would cali com- promising, Dut (rue to ber passiou jor the bere of tue tale, AD Odd sort Of Character soured vy the Gesertiva of anvtuer lady-luve (a married Woman) @ hovel determines to wed wim—t she cau. Having aculeveu her object aiter a god deal of towv.e, she lappily reuounces ber other aiterna- tive o: leading a gay ‘le ike her mamma. Those au courant ot movern Freach literavure wil euter- tain u pleasaut remembrance oi M. Charles Deu- du Ro, Gamorinus.” Under tae titio distoires ue Petite Ville” he gives us another collection oO! his quaint legends and stories, the scenes of Which ure again iaia at Coude-sur- Vhscaut, Some o: wese are bitiag politica and social satires—such, lor instance, as “Le Percep- eur dans Ewbarras,” waren Wil be keenly en- Joyea vy American readers, asmaca as i ridi- cules The mischievous havit of sweeping out of Oilice suderUuinace lunctionaries With every ciange 0: administration, A ciever 8xit upon newspaper he sketch entitied “Aldor Cavanal,’? Oty pe 18 co be \OUUd In every town and Viluge in tue United states, aithough the portrait inwcrictly @ Frenc : ove. A late bumper of tho Revue Politique et Litéraire contwing uM exceileat article on wwe New York HERALD. Il gives @ CoMpiete Sketch Of the rise and )rogross o1 Loe journal, abd pays an eloquent trivulé to tbe Memory i its jounder, && WE as tO the spirit aod eaterprise O1 his Buns LITERARY OHIT-CHAT. The Orst instalment of Swinburne’s book on the progress Of Shakespeare’s style Will appear in tue May number of the Fortnightly Heview. A new edition Of bis earlier poems Willa) pear svon, with tWo pieces toat have never beore been puviisned, The Frenea Academy bas awarded the prise for a poem ou Livinustone to M. Gubard, Serioner's Monthy, tor May, wil contain an article on (he Butimore Bonapartes by Eugene L. Didier, With portraite O1 Many of (oat distioguisned family. AD articie vl the new Opera House at Paria, by Frederick A, Scuwab, Musical eritic of tac Times, Will also appear iM this number, aad be prowuseiy tiustra: % ‘the Little Lorporal and the Schoolday Magazine have vonAdiidated With 9%, Mtoholus, Mationd iiatiand’s “Bre. klast, Lumcheon aod ‘Tes’ Will bo Dubbed io may, of Lee will be long the hero of the | duriug | FRENCH THEATRICALS. “A Russian Wedding” at the Salle Ventadour. How the Boyards Ruled Their Families. MME. CARVALHO IN “OPHELIA” Melingue, the Actor of Ro- mantic Roles. Pawis, April 2, 1875, ‘The first representation of the Russian troupe took place on Wednesday last at the Salle Venta- | dour. Up to the previous day there were rumors | 1n circulation that the project had been aban- doued owing to the exhaustion of the pecuniary resources at the disposal of the director; but the obstacle, if it really existed, was overcome in time, and there was a very fair audience—of course principally Russlans—to witness the performance, Although utterly ignorant of the language of the piece I thought it might offer some features of interest worth noting, ana accordingly took. an orchestra stall in order to command a good view of all parts of the house. The boxes were well filled, out of compliment, I presume, to Prince Orloff, who has taken great in- terest in the enterprise, but the less fashionable portions of the salle exhibited a larger number of unoccupied seats than is usual on tne vecasion of & Orst representation. ‘’his was perhaps natural, owing to the plece being in a language which is less known to the French than any other European tougue; but 1 had occasion to rejoice that 1 had not been deterred irom being present by this difll- culty, for Lean say witu’ truth that I have never been more interested by any theatrical perform. ance In my life, ‘he fact that, altnough I did not understand a word of the dialogue, ] neveriora moment iound my attention wandering from the | stage, and tuat every one around me appeared to be similarly absorbed, is the best proof that I can | offer of the novel and peculiarly interesting char- acter of the piece. ‘The plot of the “Noce Russe,” or Russian wed- ding, a8 1t 18 cailed, is of tae slenderest character, and merely serves as airamework to connect a | series Of tableaux illustrative of the social lite ot | Russia previous to the accession of Peter the | | Great, from whose time dates tis first start in Ophelia at the Grand Opera on Wednesday even- ing. and thi 18 Critics nave all gone into ecsta- cles over her periormaoce. It would be difficult tu assemble together « greater number of absurd and extravagant flowers o! juisome rhetoric than Dave been javished upon it in their nouces of this morning. Just take tois passage ay an example :— rvaluo hos sculptured the vocalizations '2e8 ID Ja, and the delicate and hardy Of the Swedisa song, -Pale and Blonde,’ at art peculiar to the great chisellers of the sixteen’h century. Toe ussue of vocal emoroderies is united with tne exquisite Jinesse and the firmness of the wi arpeggios with Of an art, always master of itseli, in its audacivus- | ness or in 118 eaprices. The grapetti and the irils of Ophe iaresemole the steepiectiase of a& squirrel on the rugged ueights of the gamut,’ &e, Do you destie to Know the motive of all this ex- Wavagant entousiasmy Mme, Carvaibo is the first krenchwoman who has undertaken the.part, and, therejore, she was bound to outshine all her predecessors, Now, { have great respect for the talent of tus fine artist, but no amount of high- sounding hyperoole will convince ime that she is atall tobe compared with Nilsson 1n this role, The enthusiasm of the French critics 18 creditavie 1g their patriotism, but it does bot do much honor to“cheir Sense of justice, inasmuca as they seek to Gevreciate the greatest living Impersonator of the role in order Lo cievate tue reputation of their couvtry woman at her expense. Melingue, toe d’Artagnan of Dumas, is dead. He was aman of varied rather than of brilliant talents, and was a clever sculptor and painter as Weil as a good actor, He was @ orave, nonest, in- dependeat-spirited Frenchman withal, and hated shams of every kind. He bad a keen wit ana joy- ous irankness that rendered him one ol the pleas- atest companions in the world. To those quali- ties he addeu the character of a good husband and @ good iaiher, Curlous to say, he was exceed- ingly sensitive to ridicule, posed himsell to quiz people. | saw a gvod deul of tim in London in 1845, when he went oyer | With Hostein’s company to piay d’Artaguan ut Drury Lane, and used to be greatiy amused by this peculiarity. He wore at that time @ large, soit felt hat, whicn hed not as yet come into fashion among Engiish- men, and as he generally cocked it im mnusketeer Jashion and was otuerwise a man of remarkaple appearance, he found himself stared at and oiten joxed by the cockneys. Not understanding a word Of mogish he generally took their remarks for in- sults and I used to have tue greatest diMcuity in paciying him. He never forgot this offensive pecuilarity of the Londoners or their little appre- clauion of his great role, the ‘*Lheatre His- turique,” it will be remembered, bad no succesa in tue Britisn metropolis, for ut thay time Logiish- mea had but little acquaintance with UDumus? works through the Meaium of translutions, and did not understand the merits of @ drama the performance of which occupied three evenings and sent people home to bed at two o’clock im tae moruing. AMUSEMENTS, THE CINCINNATI MUSICAL FESTIVAL. A musical festival of unusually grand propor- tlons and artistic excellence commences in Cincin- natt on May 11. under the direction of tae very abie leader, Theodore Thomas. which was originally built for one of the annual Sungeries(s of the Germans, is 220 feet tn length, 110 leet in Width and height 75 teet. The princi- pal vocal periormers will be Miss Avbie Whinnery and Mrs, 4. W. Smita, soprani; Miss Annie Louise Cary and Miss Emma Cranch, alu; Mr. H. A. Bis- | civilization, “Lhe buyard of the sixteenth cen- | tury,” says Prince Lubomirskt in a prefatory | | arucle on the piece, “was a hybrid sort of being— | | a slave and sovereign ac the same time. Bowed to the dust in the presence of the Czar, he became | despotic and imperious as soon as ue re-entered | | his home. This dual existence, based on two social situations entirely opposite, had for its result | the strauge, mysterious and tacitura manner in | | whtcu the Russian nobies of the sixteench century | | understood the reguiati n of their interior lie, | The work of M. Soukbonine initiates us into ali | the detuus, archwologically correct, of a voyard’s | home. The Russians borrowed irom toe Byzan- | tines, with whom they had Irequent relations, the | miuutious cerem nial oi the Cwsars of Cousvantl- | nopie. Tue Vartars, who-held all Muscovy under | their yoke 1or more than @ couple of centuries, | algo leit a trace of their passage—the claustration of the women. A boyard lived 10 his terem sur- | | rounded by @ little worid of fools, parasites and | | slaves, The women were shut up in the portion | | of the dwelling appropriated to them, and where | | no one but taeir lord aud master could penetrate. Wives, sons, daughters and sisters depended ab- | solutely on the will Of the chie!, Whose umbrageons | Gespotiam held every one in check, | it is tue Ife, the outlines of which are thas | sketched, which the plece gives us in action and certainly in quaintness, picturesque fiaeuty and | elavorateness of detail, I know nothing on the Stage that can be compared toit, Tie effect pro- | | duced on the spevtator 1s so reai that he entirely | | torgeta he 1s ing theatre, and imagines himself | transported by some magic imfuence into a strange world Where ail is novel, curious and solemuly comic to him, if I can use so paradoxical Qn expression, But before proceeding iurtner | wit toils analysis of my impressions, let me give Story, #0 48 10 enod.e my read, and how out of @ marriage cere. | mouy the author bas contrived to spin out a piece of five acts, the interest of wich never siackens oF vecomes suspended. | Viadimir, son of the boyard Artamon Grosdem® | fails in love, and the accident nappens to bim in | this way:—One night be is on the high road of Pskod with a detachment 0; soldi in charge of @ number of army Wagons, wen ne ovserves, en- Geavoring to pass them, @ siedge coutuining two ladies, One eicerly and tne other younz and beau. Ulul, The soldiers treat them roaguly and” inso- lently, but Viadimir hastens to their assistance and disperses them. Tue young lady's eyes ea- counter bis and irom that moment taey are in love with each otner. Viadimir inguires the name of the jair Unknown and is injormed that sue is | the daugbter of the bosard Zvenigordski, | the mortal enemy of his fatner. He hopes | to overcome the rancor of this paternal feud, Dat be learas that solar irom being disposea to allow bim to wed the ouject of his afections, his Jather has conceived the ivea of uulting him to Marie. the aaughter of Pri Andre sointzed, Viadimir 18 thiowa Into des , aud he tirmiy Teiuses to accede to his satuer’s plans of marriage ior him UUti be hears of the a d “T must bia her @ last adieu,” off to contempiate the ieatares of 2venigoruski's dead duuguter. “Bui it fs not ner!’ ue exciains, on behoiding the corpse. “They have deceived me. she waom | saw at Pskow pot the daugn- ter of Zvenigor 7? Just a is represented abandoned to grief and despair at the dewin ot iis Geioved, the curtain Fixes abd We are shown the preparation: \ tue epoch in Woich (he drama is iaid it Was usual jor the newly Married husvana uot to raise the vell which covered the face ot his bride anti Grief aod appretension, and the désouemeut is on.y reached woen they enter the nuptial coam- the bridal veu dis- to Viadimir’s view tue feature: nis be. the unknown of Pskod, whose dicated to him. | impier or more primitive, it . than this piot, aud yet it Y 1s 80 pectator 4:0, Woien, fail and descriptive as pialuly y Aas seidom occasion to it should be added, is can Le vesired, foe chief interest of the piece is, I need scarcely Say, 60 be found in the wccurase picture wuten is presented te uso! the manners oF & semi-Darbar- ous age, 12 Wuicd, however, ure to be traced some remains of Wh oid §=Byzantine civilization, with ite elaborate jorms and cesgmonies and taste for spieador ia costume. 1 music aud choregrapbical effects, \rou their novelty Uarity, also Cousiitute a jeature of Lyd traction, And in this connection let us « Ove of the dnest contraity voices I have ever heard i8taat of Mile, Puskawa, a pap: of tm joscoW Conservavoire, 506 Was encured in er 60108, Hud COULTIOULEd greatly to the sacce; euce, Several Kavsian vances are introe ed in the course O1 tue @: | thew Mile. Baselied, a very every vue by the grace aud picturesqueness of ber movemenra, Tue costumes and accessories of this piece are | Of @ splendor and costiiuess of Which you can orm but lictie conzeptiun your side. The dresses of the actresses are entirely composed of gold and sVeT UssUes, hea embroluered wich gems, @ud notiiog can be quaiuter or more peculiar shan the forms Oo! the cotures. fhe costumes of the meu are equally rich and curioas in war. The pecdliarity of all tuis 18 (hae it oue With ao aif Ol realty, the gravity and earnestness Of (Ue periormers, Of course, CoutrioUting In nO small deures to the illusion, have bere intimated, 4 uapres-ton to De mathered irum te Was that they # ie, aud woen th every sive yur exclam, uy.” “How carious’? f do not knoW what WONG! OF pecuniary sUCo*ss Is reserved for these represeatativas, bat 1 sal ry wach sar. vised 1, WILD their KeeR appreci@uva of ail that 8 Crue Gud praisewortiy in art, tae Parisians do hut Oestow Upon them & iveral putro: the | ant conductor Herr Otto: Singer. | Waguer, aug teacr rumanzZa, Irom same. | on Monday, to devise me: cho and Mr. W. J. Winco, tenors, and Mr, M, W Whitney aud Mr. PF, Remmertz, bassos. The | organist will be Mr. Dudley Buck, and the assist- The chorus wilt consist 0: over tive hundred voices and the orches- tra will exceed a hundred strong. Tue lollowing is toe musical programme :— Tugspay EvENING, May 11—1. Triumphal Hymn, opus 55, J. Brabms, in eight parts, lull chorus, organ and orchestra. Sym- phony No 7, io A, opus 92, Beethoven. 3. The principal scenes trom Wagner's opera, ‘Lo- hengrio,” Mrs, Smith as Kisa, Miss Cary as Ortrud, Mr. Bischo@® as Lohengrin, Mr. Remmertz a3 Friearica o: Telramuad and Mr. Whitnay as the Herald. Full chorus and orchestra, WEDNESDAY, May 12—Matinée.—1. Overture, “Leonora,” No. 2, Beethoven, 2 “In Native Wortu,” irom Haydu’s “Creavon.” $s, Contralte aria, rom ‘ Viemenza di Ti.o,’’ Mozart, 4, Scherzo, Keiormation Sympnouy, Mendelssohn. 6 Suprano ana, “North Star,” Meyerbeer. 6, Hungerian 3, Brahms. 7. Trio, “tremate, Empy ‘Iie- ” Beethoven, 8 Overture, “lanuuwaser,’”? v. Meul- tation, Gouaod, lor Btriug Orchestra, 1. Aria, ior cvbiralto, “Sigmon,” thomas. Li. frie, “Willian Tel,” Kossims 12, Overture, “Wiliam Teli.” lao the — the oratorio of “Elijaa’” will be per- sorme: ‘THURSDAY, May 12—Matin¢ée,—Choruses by the Chiidreu of the pubic schools, 1, Fesuval Over- ture, E. Lassea. 2. Chorus, “Prayer,” Giuck. 3, ‘Lenor solu, “Die Allmacn!,” scpuvert. 4 Suprano Solus, “Spirit Song” and “Springrime,” Hayua. 6, Coorus, “Night Suades No Longer,” Rossion & ug, “I'm w roamer,” Mendeissuun. 7. Cantata, “Up vraise Oi Prieausuip,”’ mozart. 8 Huidigung’s March, Wagner. % Concer. aria, *inieice,’’ Menueissono, 10, Chorus, “Strike the Cymbal’? Pucitta. 11, Contraito aria, “Gl Uzouoiti,' Meyerveer, 12. “Devil's Daring Needle." Strauss, Chorus, “America.” io the eVeoing Baco's “Maunideat” tu D, consisting o: twelve DuWwoers, wul be periormed ior ibe Orst time in dmerica, and wii be ioliowed by toe imwortal Choral bympaony No. 9, 14 D minor, oy Beethoven. ‘FRivAY, May 14—Matinde,—1, Overture, “Conse- Craton of the House,” Beethoven, 2 Aultta, “in Questa tomba,” Beeimoven. 3, Aria, ‘Alar bigaso,” Mozart, 4 Atia, “St, Paai,” seadels svon, 6. Aria, “Orpheus,” Giuck, 6, Selectiuns from the tuird act, “Meisterziager vou Nuru- berg,” Waguer, 7 Overcure aod quartet, “Overon,”’ Wever, 8 Aria, “li Proveta,’’ Meyer- beer. % Alla “Acls and Guiaiea,” Handel 10, Kbapsodie Hongruise,” No. 2, Lisat. 11. Quartet, tugvietto,” Verdi. in the eveung wii ve given Scuabert’s symphony in U, the great are ene irom “Die Wa.kiren,” agaer, and @ sympoonlc oem or overture and @ caniate, | er's Prometheus,” by Liszt. experieuced hand oi Mr. rhomas may ve en in tue arrungemeutof the wbove programmes, aud Witt such au orcuestra as be can furoisu and such @ Chorus aA Mr, Singer Cad (rain, there is every reason to expect u rare Muscal ireaton the bauks oi the Vaio bext mouth, COULESSE CHAT. Mme. Ristori will visit Pailadeiphia, Boston and Baltimore. Joe Jederson and his dog Schneider are with the Clevelanders. Clara Morris is at Philadelphia attne Walnut Street Theatre. The Fiuth Avenue company will visit San Frao- cisco in the summer, Girofé-Girofla will suon be reproduced, with Aimée in the dual rdves, The last niguts of “Dary Crockett” are an- noanced at the Park Theatre, Pat Rooney, an Irish comic singer, has made a merited success at the Viympic. Lawrence Barrett opens May 3 at the Buffalo Academy of Masic for @ snort season. Mile. Aimée will appear during toe Kin “La Jolie Partumeuse,” which made @ great success. Katharine Raodolpn Rogers has played a suc- cessful engagement at toe San Francisco Theatre. Mule. Rose D’krina, the Irish vocalist, whi sing in & concert at the Church of the Redeemer this evening. Theodore Thomas gave @ grand farewell matt née y rday, at Steinway Hall, at which miss Oary sang. Leona Dare, the graceful ana daring female gywnast, continues to create @ sensation at the Vlympic, Miss Anna E, Dunphy will be offered @ compli- mentary concert at Plymouth cuuroh Thursday evening, April 22. Gounod is writing afresh from memory his Opera “Polyeute,” the original score having been stolen from him. During last week the “Shaughraan” drew more money in Boston than during any time of its long ran in New York, “Le Tour da Monde” is to be translated into Russian. Niisson’s success in ‘Hamiet,” at Mar- seilies, Was immense, leaves the American Thea- tre, Philadelpnia, for Pittsburg, next week, after @ most Drilliaut engayemeat, EB. L. Davenport closed a successful engage- Ment at Gaiveston, Texas, on the 10th inst. He will appear to-morrow at Louisville, Ky. Emile ae Girardin wrote a ridiculous one-act comedy under the tittle of “Une Heure a’uubii.” It Was a sad iaijure and deserved to 06 80, Among the new artistes engaged by M. Balan. wier is Mile, Marie Feouter, daughter of the well | now actor, She is a pupil of Faare, who w now completing her musical education, AW eting of the members of called by Air, Willie Winrer, at the Park 1 4 Of Riding the Bryaat vestimon: It Will be largely attonded, Mr. James W. Morrissey wii receive @ farewel dened: at tue Filta Avenue Theatre Apri 2i, pre- Viows to his departure for Oalioroia, The pro- gramme as arranged is remarkably interesting. although ratuer dis- | ‘Tne concert hail, | bd $$ ——_$_$_ beautiful representation of the most attractive play of the season has nos been placed on the | American boaras. Mis3 Adali Richmond wi! piey tne leading part | in “Ahmed” during toe week, which will be thé last of the perormance of tuis brilliant spectaci@. Owing to the expiation of Mra. Duna’s lease “Abmed’? must be withdrawn, | "Mr. Louis Aldrich, the leading man at Wood’s Museum, @ paimstaking and accomplished actor, will receive a benefit Monday alternoon, & | feature of the programme will be Mr. Frank Mavo’s performance of Raphiel in “The Marbie | Heart.” | Mra. Bryant, the widow of the lamented pubile | favorite, expresses her Warmest and most beart- | fet thanks on bebalf of herself aud her cnildrem | to those who have so promptly and actively takem up the subject of a testimonial to the memory of her beloved husband and to the protection of her family against pecuniary distress. Dion Boucicault has made an immense hitim | Boston, Tne Hubbites think more of his acting im | the part of Coun than they do even of the | “Shaughraun” asa play. In tus they display exe cellent judgment, for not a little of the success of that remarkable drama is due tothe finished an@ consummate art of the chief performer. Alter having been admired tn Engiand, Ireland, Scotiand ana other countries of Europe tne trained animals of the Howe & Cusbing circug return to America, and it will astonisa the n& | tives of Brookivn and Williamsburg on Tuesday | and Wednesday next. Howe's is certainly one of uhe finest circuses of the world, and will, doub® less, be well patronized py the public. The Windsor Dramatic Club will give @ perfor mance and reception at the Lexington avenue Opera House, on Tuesday evening, the 27th instant, “The Honey-Moon” will be presented on the occ® sion. The previous entertainments given by the Windsor this season deserved and met with suc cess. This club seems destined to preserve @ vigorous andl long existence. Miss Neilson appears at Booth’s Theatre on the 26th inst, as Amy Robsart, Jarrett & Paimel bave given eXtraordinary attention to the pro duction of the play and there isa pro pect that the engagement of the fascinating English actress willbe very success‘ul. Miss Neilson makes but jourteen appearaifces, having determined to leave for Europe at the conclusion of her engagement, She will remain abroad sor wo years, The present is positively the last week ofthe great Shakespearean pageant, ‘Henry V.,” and of the engagement of Rignold at Booth’s Theatre, ‘The play, a though it has reached its seventy-flich representation, appears to be in the very heigat | of its prosperity. ‘fhe matinée yesterday drew an immense audience, provably 3,000 being present, Arrangements ure being made lor a grand ovation to Rignold at the farewell mauunée next Saturday. Tae New York managers have taken up warmly | the idea of a benefit performance tn atd of Dam . | Bryant’s family. He was so general a favorite in | nis own profession, ag well as with the public, that | there 18 no doubt as to the success of the efforts | to help his family. Almost the last act of his lie | was an effort in the cause of charity, and the public ougit not to iorget that they are his debtors | for innumerable acts of kindness, Protessor Sedgwick, who was attached to the photographic and engineering corps of the Union Pacific Railrvad, has been engaged in tne delivery | of @ remarkable course of ulummated lectares | descriptive of American scenery, The chief feae | ture of these “Across the Continent” leclures com | sists in 2,000 transpar-nt photograpns, showing | With great vividness and accuracy the most strike ing scenery of the North Amer.can continent ‘These lectures nave been delivered over 400 nights and have met witn flattering success. | General W. T. Snerman aod party, consisting of Mrs, Snerman, Mr, Eno (of the Fiftn Avenue Hotel) | and family, visited Booth’s Theatre one evening | last wees to sew »ry V." They were received at the Twenty-tuird street entrance by Mr, Jarre:tand scorted to proscenium vox amid tne hearty applause of the greit audience. So son as they were seated the band, under the direction of | Micuael Connolly, strock up ‘Hall to the Cnief,’? | afterwards “dail Colambia” aad finally “Sher | man’s Murch Through Georgia,” the latver alg arousing the enthusiasm of the people to such @ pitcn that an outourst of cheering came from | every part of tue house. The General rose from his seat and bowed nis acknowledemeuts, The snow storm prevented the carrying out of that Part of the programme which promused a display | of fireworks upon tne arrival of the austinguished | wucet, | BUTTING BULLS AND BEARS CONTEST BETWEEN THE GOLD AND STOCE By CHANGES—~ANOTHER SPELLING TILT—VICTORR OF THE BROAD STREET ORTHOGRAPHIST? One of the most thrilling spelling matches ever known in the orthograpiical arena tovk place yesterday aiternoon iu tue Governing Committee's room of the New York Stuck Exchange. Mys terious circulars © issued in the moruing im viung afew membd of tne’ Gola Exchange meet a chosen numoer of the Stock Exchange ts &@ friendly contest ior supremacy, according te the rules lately made and adopted by the speiling Champions of the East and West Ac cordingly, alter the close of business, there | rushed up the iron staircase leading to the room | appointed a mass of well-dressed brokers from | Broad and New streets, who took piaces and pre | pared themselves for the exciting contest. Mr | W. B. Bend took the chair Mr. George W. Ely led | the nosts on the side of the Stock Exchange an¢ } Mr. Kavanagh was the captain of tue gold boys | J, 0. Stevens, with nis meiiifuous voice and mus | tache @ 1a Napoleon, was ou the left of the pres | Gent, and was distinguished for geaeral depravity | of speech, Mr, J, W. Newton was buried in his dio | onary, aud seemed to regard the occasion as ont | of the most momentous of his lie, Mr. 3 Vy | White, close-enaven and aler!, appeared to be on | the witness stand, but finally he was inconth | Bently placed on the Invesugatiag Commitee, | Among the crowd were noticed the hilarious | Alderman Clews, joy Cuarley Fearing, Jim Smith, the rosiest Epicurean of the | Mo, Mitcneil, tne hermit of tne Jim = Seiover, Wao iateiy met | | Wit an’ accident, bot suct & little one it should Rot count; cad. Lvans, tue Michael Augelo of New | York; wonte. isaacs, tae sweet voice of the Board, | RPE Van senaic nepocw of bis uncie; L. Horton and Joba rondir; Jake Rabioo and H. K. Boos, the pnilosophers vi te Gia Bxchange! Uncie Daniel Drew, with «uaky Voice, said to Dave Porous plasters siX inches tMick on lis chest; How | ara Lapsiey, wita towers, a8 usual, and Mr. Selig | man, hoperui o: heart but jugubrious of aspect | to gay notulng of the unnamed fuadreds w | throngea the room in aoxious expectation of fun | THE FIRST WORD | given out was “raccoon,” which Was Co! | shoated by Mr. Ely, Cat calls succeeded of “he | been up a tree biinsell,” &c. The President spt Bis juaiet in preserving order. | Mr. Horton spelt “quarantine” properiy, bay | Weut upon “widow.” Cries of “Sen ‘out , West,” 2c, Mr. Horton went to the rear, Mr, | Wadsworth spelt ‘“peroration” properly, bat silpped up on “pinuace’—a small voat—spell- Ing it 1m such » Way as to create roars of iauguter, | and leaving thé meanime in much doubt, tne gold graocers shouted, “Give wim a hoist! dex “mamuay,” ' “dammy, “‘ooooy,” “mare,” Were all conquered success, ally by Messrs. Booay, Harry Camvios, Pairs child, “Svoters’ vey’ aud Edward sBrandog | respectively; but Woen it came to “Pyrraic” | Sam Lapsiey rusied to the tron! to Spell, but was hustled out, as he was an ¢ ver, aad Advised to “put” or he would be “called. One or (Wo gentiemen wrestied with the word, Dat finally it was correctly put tovetu | Bogert, Woo was disco’ “Heatuen Myt person. Che greatest excitem When it Was announced ré Aud vets were fr = ould re: ai log OF bys to grass | treely inva. Wor ney (ay ofusiva bere Lrevailed Gud Spring bats Were ut @ discount, Ar. Ruvine led wr. Drew out at a side entrance, and as ti | old geotieman Was helped ito his carriage | Was d to remark, ‘Jakey, tue buys ur ay Stuck Exohange received the palm of tory, aituouga tue Sia boys Will not ve satish: round. Deimoni same Ci 4 em u Polls WAKO UNO LOrLOHe Ook ance ee Stes | Lillian Conway and Rose Massey are the “Iwo | tuougu yictgrs hud aquisnea wate Bunsen Maa Carwin wnaaranee in | Orpaand” at the Brooklyn Theatre, anda more | setting pe oud we