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Bubbles And Ballast, Being A Description Of Life In Paris During The Brilliant Days Of Empire

Chapter 44

M. D.’s work to do in curing rheumatism and pleurisy ;

but, in this city, it implies a large building, fitted up with the comfort and taste of an ordinary theatre. The seats are circularly arranged, on an inclined plane, and the walls are frescoed to represent equestrian sports. Numbers of soldiers were present this evening. Free tickets are nightly granted to a certain number, by the Emperor, who esteems it a duty and pleasure to offer regular amusement to those \fcho faithfully serve their
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country. The music and the performance were excel- lent, and the horses were of the most spirited mettle. Some well-trained dogs made grown people clap their hands as diligently as did the little children. One little dog — whom we chose to call Frisk — was always ready to perform, and would come out of time to do every- thing wrong. He was Major-general of the party, con- trolling his master, and shirking the baton with an ingenuity that raised the canine race a degree higher in the estimation of the audience. His master, though apparently vexed at first, in the end, gave evidence of forgiveness in a smile, on the principle that a lenient father often overlooks the misdemeanor of a mischievous sprig, and places him on a footing with unoffending exemplars of the law. A little rhyme that I made, seemed to tickle the ears of our juveniles.
Six fine little dogs sat in a row,
And each was to stand on his head when called ;
One, not content unless on the go,
Snapped at his brothers, and raised a big squall.
The most wonderful part of the performance was a diving feat— a man remaining submerged in a deep bath for five minutes, in which time he drank a bottle of wine, and ate a piece of bread. His amphibious quali- ties were clearly shown, for he seemed as much at ease, in the water, as when taking into his nostrils the oxygen of his native element. Doubtless this narrative will be received by many as another version of the ancient, fabulous fish story; but, at any rate, it shall be described as it was seen. An inynense glass case, iron bound,
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being wheeled into the centre of the ring, and filled with water by means of a hose connected with a pipe under the turf, there appeared a splendidly formed man, in stocking-net, of the athletic type, and with a com- plexion that told of frequent ablutions. He mounted the box, or case, by means of a ladder ; bowed to the as- semblage, and made a graceful plunge into its cold* depths. At one moment, we saw him turning somer- saults with the same agility as if he were on terra firma ; at the next, kneeling against the glass sides with his mouth wide open, the bread and wine disappearing, to the mute astonishment of the spectators. One lady, however, who could not control her emotion, cried out, “ He will drown ! ” but lo ! the wonderful creature rose to the surface, and shook the water from his hair, like a dog, after a dive. Many were the conjectures as to how so extraordinary a performance could be accomplished. It is said to be effected by the frequent practice of im- mersion, the powers of endurance increasing each time.
April 18. — The breath of orange-flowers is on the gale, and a lovely bride has just worn the coronal. I allude to the marriage of Miss Dix, on the 16th instant. The ceremony, conducted after the Episcopal ritual, by Rev. Mr. Lamson, took place at her father’s residence, at 1.30 p. M. A distinguished company was present, eager to bestow congratulations upon the fair bride and the happy groom, Mr. Walsh, — the latter looking very proud of his new possession. A toilette a la Noce is indeed a spCcialitc in Paris, and should not be over-
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looked ; because of the perfect taste displayed by the modiste . The bride, on this occasion, wore a trained robe of white poult de sole, with tulle puffings, and a narrow flounce of point applique lace, which was met by a tunic similarly trimmed, and looped with sprays of orange blossoms. The lace garniture of the corsage montant corresponded with that of the skirt, and a grace- ful, tulle veil fell over her blonde hair, which many thought too beautiful to be thus imprisoned. To the holy bond that united this pair, let us add the link of poetry :
“ But happy they, the happiest of their kind !
Whom gentle stars unite, and in one fate
Their hearts, their fortunes, and their beings blend."
Mrs. Dix seemed to feel most deeply the solemnity of the event, and vainly endeavored to force a smile through her tears. Who can measure the depths of a mother’s love, and her solicitude at such a time? But a truce to sadness ! preferring to turn to the emblems of joy that were everywhere around— the beaming smiles of the fair women, and the exquisite flowers — one crystal basket measuring three yards in circumference, with a crown of orange-blossoms attached to the handle.
Among the company, chiefly Americans, were the ministers from England, Turkey, Switzerland, and the Argentine Republic ; the Duchess de Cambaoeres ; and Mr. and Mrs. Milner Gibson. Capt. Jerome Bonaparte, of Baltimore, was acknowledged to be the handsomest gentleman present, and Col. Hoffman, the efficient Secre- tary of the Legation, one of the most agreeable. Mrs.
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Ronalds and Mrs. Moulton, beautiful as sunlight, and Miss Morse, a sweet flower, need to be seen only once to live forever in memory. The toilettes most remarked, and whose colors, like rainbow hues, shifted here and there, were worn by Mrs. and Miss Lippincott, of Phila- delphia, Mrs. Dewey, of California, Mrs. Gen. Ward, and Mrs. Durant, of New York. The daughters of Mrs. Blake graced the scene like little rosy faries, re- ceiving quite as many kisses as the bride. The sumptu- ous repast added but another proof of the liberal and elegant hospitality which has always characterized the entertainments of the host. * * * * *
The English Charity Ball, held in the magnificent sallc-a-mangcr of the Grand Hotel, on the evening of the wedding, was a splendid success. As Lord Lyons entered the room, which was most brilliantly illuminated, and profusely adorned with flowers, the band played Ood save the Queen. Then the music merged into quadrilles and waltzes, which were kept up until a late hour, for Strauss never flags a moment, nor do the dancers who come under his happy influence. An old English Admiral was seen engaging in the swift galop with the spirit of a boy ; and a distinguished Franca ls 9 whose epicurean suppers seemed to have located themselves in the pedal extremities, hobbled through the square dances with several golden-haired daughters of England, — they unmindful of his slow measured steps, and he only thinking of the joy which charity bringeth. Many others, who had swelled the fund of Napoleons , in favor of our good old " mother-country,” shared this joy, for u
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they too feasted on bright, beautiful faces, and carried to their homes the remembrance of a charming scene. Of the Americans present may be mentioned the fasci- nating Mrs. Slidell and daughter, of Louisiana ; Mrs. Judge Field, of California; Mrs. Gilbert, of New York; Doctor Evans ; and Mr. Balsh, of Philadelphia.
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