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Vjsj&vj&X 17,1855.] THE,PA])EE. 165
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THE DRAMA IN PARIS. Thb theatre of the G...
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FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE. Tuesday, Februa...
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BIRTHS, MARRIAGES, AND DEATHS. BIRTHS. B...
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Transcript
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
Additionally, when viewing full transcripts, extracted text may not be in the same order as the original document.
The Warden. The Warden. By Anthony Troll...
¦ r iftfltf-i ^^ ffier M 2 ^' " BSoiS ^ :: at least appear to feel sincerely witb / Jus Saracteisi " Ttisifr . ^ ollbpe / in the case of the young lady especially , skeins to avoid . He exposes the womanly weakness of some of her motives with an easy * atirical pleasantry which convinces us that he was himself not mthe least affected by his love scene while he was writing it . There are certain maxims in Horace ' s Art of Poetry ( to . refer to a classical example , this time > which will remain great critical truths to the end of the / world .-Mir Trollope must know the -maxims to which we refer very well , and he cannot do better than apply them to himself the next time he gives us a novel . The Warden abundantly shows that he has powers far above the average as a writer of fiction . ,
Vjsj&Vj&X 17,1855.] The,Pa])Ee. 165
Vjsj & vj & X 17 , 1855 . ] THE , PA ]) EE . 165
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The Drama In Paris. Thb Theatre Of The G...
THE DRAMA IN PARIS . Thb theatre of the Gxmkase holds the same place amougst the houses of the Boulevards that the Theatre Francais , In spite of the chill that has lately come over it , still continues to hold amongst those of France . It is eminent both for the literary character of the pieces it produces and for the' elegant perfection of its actors . In some respects it is more than a rival of the great classical establishment . The humour it indulges in is often more fully brought out , yet unsoiled by vulgarity ; and its pathos , though deprived of tragic grandeur , is generally deeper and more natural . For a long time , also , the name of one of the most charming actresses that France possesses—the Madame Vestris of that country—Kose-Chbrt , has been indissolubly connected with this theatre . She is now well supported by Geojtboy , Bekton , andXESUEUR , with Mademoiselle Figeac who , although she will allow her eyes to wander over the boxes in search of admiration , would be an ornament to any stage . The last production of the Gymnasb is a comedy in three acts , called the CeiniureDoree , by M . Emile Augikr , whose GendredeM . Poifier , written , or , at any rate , produced , according to French custom , in company with M . Jules Sandeau , introduced him ( after a considerably wandering course from the Greek drama , bv which he commenced ) into the realms of modern comedy . The times are
unfavourable to versification of any kind ; and although M . Augier was successful in that difficult department of his art—arbitrarily difficult in France—we cannot regret that he has at length slipped down into plain prose . Without possessing the abrupt nervousness of Victor Hugo , or the audacious . facility of Scribe , M . Augier writes pointedly and well—now and then venturing on little semi-poetical flights , which are agreeable because kept well within bounds and naturally introduced . The Ceinture Dore ' e , without creating any great excitement , may be regarded as a success ; and will probably furnish , hints to imitators who are accustomed to make original ideas their own by developing them broadly and coarsely . The plot , perhaps , if stated simply , without reference to the peculiarities of the characters employed to work it out , may be found to have many counterparts . It is a story of retribution ; of wealth , somewhat unscrupulously , but not illegally amassedj bringing its own punishment during the natural evolution o £ the affairs of this life . But there is no great and cumbersome mystery even hinted at in the past ; and chastisement is not dealt out according to the ordinary rules of poetical justice , so sure to bring down thunders of applause from the gallery . The machinery of the piece is- almost entirely moral ; and it would have been better , though more difficult , to make it
entirely BO . ' The principal character , played with perfect ease and simplicity by Geoffrey , is a certain M . Mousse / , a great speculator of yore , a man who boasts—without the emphatic vulgarity of a Mr . Bounderby—that he has risen from nothing , that he came to ^ Paris in sabots , and that by means which are only alluded to , and which at the opening of the piece he really considers to have been perfectly justifiable , he has amassed a very large fortune . The worthy man consequently , although from old ' habit he continues with a recklessness which , by the way , is not often found evenTonthe Paris Bourse ; to riskhiff whole havings onthe " rise" or the " fall "a trait introduced to bring about a clumsy catastrophe—the worthy man , we say , is consequently at ease with himself and the world . He is so wealthy that he enjoys " everything that can be bought , " and besides this , he has a lovely and affectionate daughter , just of the marriageable age . His sentiments on this
latter subject are not common among parvenus . He is nobly indifferent as to the worldly position of the persons who seek his daughter ' s hand , and , indeed , he leaves her at perfect liberty to choose for herself . All he asks is that his sonin-law should be a man of honour and integrity . He has a great respect for honour and integrity , being now rich enough to indulge in that luxury . Out of this respectable state of mind his punishment is ingeniously made to spring . CaKsle ( Madame Rose-Cheri , who plays this part in her usual unaffected manner ) , being left to look around the world and make choice of a master , is disquieted by the idea that she is more to be sought , not for her own qualifications , but for her dowry , and , although in every way fascinating , her fear does not seem unreasonable . In a graceful opening scene , in which a Madame Amilie ( Mdlle . Figbao ) , whose position is not very clearly defined , plays the part of confidante , the young heiress expresses her romantic longings . It comes out , too , that she has found a beau-ide ' al , not in her own imagination , but in the actual world .
M . de Trelan , played by Berton somewhat stiffly but with sense and taste , " is a young man of good family but moderate income . He and Calute have met once or twice , but after the first interview his manner has always been cold and reserved . The reason we learn as the comedy progresses . M . Roussel fixes on this young man as a husband for his daughter .. At any rate , as he humorously expresses it , the young nobleman is one of the persons whom he wishes to exhibit to her , making them show off their paces in order that she may decide . Accustomed every day to see in the world all men , even the most stiff-necked , go down on their knees before Mammon , be believes that there is no chance of a repulse . The thing never enters his head . He makes the first advances , in the tone of a Jupiter condescending to a piece of flesh and blood , and is shocked to find that his offers axe treated with disdain . Here we have a fine touch , far superior to ordinary comedy . The young man , who has with difficulty suppressed his emotion , for he really loves Caliste , retires after a firm refusal . The father calls him back .
Incapable of doubting his own reputation , he is afraid that evil tongnes have wagged against his daughter . With a pathetic movement , not too much insisted on , he asks , implores , demands an explanation . M . de Trelan , who has resolved to leave France for the East , endeavours to avoid gratuitously annoying the rich man , whom he refuses for his father-in-law ; but he is compelled at length to say that he disputes the origin of the wealth offered to him , and particularly specifies a case in which his own family had suffered by the greedy unsempulousness of M . Roussel . At first the latter is indignant . He has always con . sidered himself a perfect specimen of honesty and plain-dealing . At any rate , whenever called to question by the law , he has always been triumphant . What more would you have ? The virtue which Idealists , Don Quixotes , madmen like M . de Trelan require , would be a mere dupery . How could men ever grow rich unless they consented to descend from those aerial heights to scrape amidst the mud , where the first pennies of most great fortunes are found ? Rigid honesty
is , indeed , an unsocial quality ; for as society must not consist of units comfortably living side by side , owing nothing , even in their own conscience , one to the other , but must have a hierarchical organisation—must contain leviathans as well as minnows—he who objects to the means by which this beautiful result is brought about , does well to imitate the example oiM . de Trelan , and start off , with his hatbox and valise , to Persia , or further if necessary . M . Roussel does not develop his theories in the presence of the would-be traveller , but jerks them out in a series of disconnected phrases after he is left alone . The scene is well managed , because we are allowed to perceive that the blustering of the angry Croesus is not quite sincere . Already small twinges of compunction are tormenting him ; but at first they only spur him to abjure bis exaggerated respect for honour and integrity in a son-in-law , and to be satisfied with much less heroic qualities . M . Balardier , a stockbroker , young , and tolerably agreeable , is invited to occupy a place at the dinner-table intended for M . de Trelan . Caliste ,
of course , does not approve of the substitution . She learns that her lover has refused her hand , and this circumstance , which she attributes entirely to his disinterestedness , completes the conquest of her heart . The remainder of the comedy is employed in developing through many skilful scenes the way in which M . Roussel , without -absolutely losing his selfrespect , is brought to" agree with M . de Trelan in condemning the arts by which he has risen to wealth . The great redeeming feature in his character is a passionate attachment for his—daughter . Her happiness he desires above all things , and he finds by degrees that her love for JDe Trelan , if disappointed , will make tier miserable . In this case , of what use is his wealth to him ? He begins to loathe it . Bags of money brought to him in payment of the rent of his numerous houses he receives with anger and despair . He scatters them furiously about the floor in a comic scene , which is made to lead by a most masterly contrivance to a very pathetic one . Caliste happens to come in and
meet a pedantic , extravagant music-master , named Landara t represented with great power by Xesuedr , who has ventured to aspire to the hand of his pupil . Unintentionally , she wounds the feelings of this genius , and in order to pacify him , makes him a present of a purs e supposed to be embroidered by her own hands , and requests him to assist her in picking up the scattered five-franc pieces . He goes down on his knees for the purpose , and suddenly exclaims : " ' Well I .. as I am in this position , I may as well take advantage of it . " So he makes a declaration which is received with amazement ; he insists . The father comes into the rescue . —He undeceives the unhappy . music ; master , ; JbMt ,. n . ot satisfied with that , he insults his Art . Landara bristles up and gives utterance in his anger to some of the reports current in the world as to the doubtful probity of JIL Roussel in times past . For the first time Caliste begins to understand the reason why her hand has been refused by an honourable man ; and
the climax of her father ' s punishment consists in this , that he sees the struggles of her mind against the painful conviction that is forcing itself into it , and is ashamed to meet her glance . Such a scene as this could , of course , be only indicated by the writer , and it required two masterly artists , like Geoffboy and Rose-Cheri , to give it full eflect . All explanation , however , is delicately avoided , and the piece soon comes to a close by means of a contrivance which , as we have hinted , is passably clumsy . M . Roussel is ruined by over-speculation at the Bourse ; and M . de Trelan , who only objected to the dowry , which he might have got rid of more naturally , eagerly accepts the impoverished Caliste . With the exception of this denouement s and one or two other trivial borrowings from the customs of the stage , we repeat , however , that M . Atjgier ' s piece is quite original , and does him infinite credit , both as a writer and a sceneconstructor . There is throughout an absence of exaggeration and an avoidance of elaborate effects , which are both pleasing and remarkable . 0
From The London Gazette. Tuesday, Februa...
FROM THE LONDON GAZETTE . Tuesday , February 13 . BANKRUPTS . —Joseph Lilby and Richard Beeves Cox , Day ' s-court , Guttor-lano , warehousemen t- Edward Bekjamin Clarkson , Broad-stroet , manufacturer ' s agent —BeMJAMIN Gbut , Sambrook-court , Basinghall-stroet , merchant — Thomas Wihtiobd Nichols . Battcraea , oandlo-manufaoturor—Jonw and David Dickie , Portsoa , drapers —Robebt Daniel , Victoria-wharf , Union-plaoe , Pimlico , stone-merchant—Henry Gibbon , late of Gracoohuroh-streot , merchant r- Samubl Kino and Chabxbs King , Cowloy , Oxfordshire , builders — William Close Odrbih , Moorgato-strcot , merchant — Thomas Pollard and Arthur John Symonds , Guilford , builders—Jona-Tiuk . tr Havyohd Godbhb , Frederick Godbeband Julius Wai-lacb Howbb , Eastwood . Nottinghamshire , drapers—Jammh XiKA , Birmingham , builder—Jambs Ellis , Birmingham , fender manufacturer — John Carter , jun ., and Gharlbb Cxrtbr , 'brewers—Joseph and Jamkb wood , Bradford , Yorkshire , spinners — William Prest , York , painter— Jontf Andbbson , Bradford , Yorkshire , grocor—Ralph Martihdalb , Low Harrowgate , Yorkshire , draper — Drapkr Sutcjcibbe , Huddorsflold , woollen cloth manufacturer — Wilmam and Thomas Addy , Leeds , cloth
manufacturers—Henry Ludlam and Joseph Rbaney , Shofflold , ironmongers-John Seymour Hart , Liverpool , tailor—Clifford Firth , Liverpool , broker—John Carver , Liverpool , licensed victualler . Friday , February 16 . BANKRUPTS . —Malcolm iNGLisand Byton Bond , Old Broad-stroot , morohants — William Groom , Sudbury , Suffolk , innkeeper—Victor Banor , Lilypot-lano , St . Martin s-lo-Grand , merchant—George Oooi'BR House , Dovercourt , Essex , grocer—William Riddle , and Meed Terry Raymond , Snorbourno-alloy , City , merchants—William Morgan , Oaborno-strcet , Whltochapol , victualler—Thomas Colmngwood Kan , Hans-placo , Chelsea , dealer in railway shares—Thomas William Hordes , Mlnories , chemist—James Bmminb , Portland-road , Notting-hill , builder — Thomas Tyler , Wood-fttroet , Ghoapslde , warehouseman .
Births, Marriages, And Deaths. Births. B...
BIRTHS , MARRIAGES , AND DEATHS . BIRTHS . BEAUFORT . —Feb . 0 , at Badminton . 'thoDuchoss of Beauforts a son . FOLKESTONE . —Fob . 11 , tho Viscountosa Folkoatono : a son .
, HIRSCH . —Feb . 11 , at Cannstatfc-on-tho-Ncckar . tho wife of Professor Hirsoh : a daughter . . _ , , ... SKIPWITH . —Fob . 8 , at 8 , Grosveuor-plaoo , Lady Sklpwith : a daughter . MARRIAGES . BOUSFIELD —GAMBIER . —Feb . 0 , at the church in Gordon-square , tho Rev . George Bemjainin Richiiigs Bousdeld , to Goorgiana Mary JPloyor Gambler , third daughter of Rear-Admiral Gambior , of Albany-teiraco , Regonfs . park , and of Shambrook , Bedfordsliiro . BATOHELOR-TRELAWNY . -Fob . 6 , atCalstook Church . Cornwall , tho Rov . F . T . lH tohel ? t , wHH ( m ^ rolawnv Charlotte youngest daughtor of Sir WMiftm J . rolawny , Bart ., Lord Lioutonant of tho county of Oornwau . DEATHS . „ ¦ , BRUHL .-Fob . 0 , at Chingford , Essex , Goorgo , Count do BROWNKSKrfflborouBh-build Bath Lieut - Coloiiol the Hon . John Browne , brother to tho Iatoand unclo t ^> tho present Lord Kilmaino . aged elKhty-flve . DOUGLAS . —Fob . 7 , at Limerick , Anno , wfl © of Colonel Douglas Assistant-Xdjutant-Goneral , oldest eon of General Sir Ho > vard Douglas , Bart ., G . CB .
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Feb. 17, 1855, page 21, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_17021855/page/21/
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