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A rough sketch of modern Paris : $b or, Letters on society, manners, public curiosities, and amusements, in that capitalLemaistre, J. G. (John Gustavus)

History

A rough sketch of modern Paris : $b or, Letters on society, manners, public curiosities, and amusements, in that capital

Name: A rough sketch of modern Paris : $b or, Letters on society, manners, public curiosities, and amusements, in that capital
Author: Lemaistre, J. G. (John Gustavus)

Lemaistre, J. G. (John Gustavus)

Paris (France) -- Description and travel

Besides these numerous play-houses, there are several exhibitions of
horsemanship, on the plan of Astley; and there is likewise a very
curious optical deception, called, “la Phantasmagorie de Robertson.”
The latter is very well worth seeing. After viewing in the outward
room various electrical machines, mechanical inventions, and other
curiosities, you are led into a dark apartment, in which the ghosts of
distinguished characters are supposed to appear. This is extremely well
managed; and the principle of optical deceptions is exemplified, and
clearly explained. A man of the name of _Fitzjames_ also appears as a
ventriloquist; and after he has thrown his voice into different parts of
the room, he declares, that the power of doing so is not a natural gift,
but simply a habit acquired, of varying the sound of the voice. The same
man gives a most admirable imitation of the meeting of a jacobinical
club; and in hearing him, you really imagine, that the demagogues of
those bloody days are still haranguing with all the absurdity and
madness, which characterised them. In addition to the amusements which
I have specified, there are innumerable puppet-shows, _théâtres de
société_, mountebanks, tumblers, fights of wild beasts, jugglers,
rope-dancers, and quack-doctors.

Having given you this general sketch of the _spectacles_ of Paris, I
shall, in my future letters, only mention such particular performances,
as by their merit or their popularity, may deserve your attention.

                                                                 I am, &c.




LETTER XV.

    The play of _Henry_ IV, read by le Texier.


                                   Paris, february 10, 1802 (21 pluviôse).

MY DEAR SIR,

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

A rough sketch of modern Paris : $b or, Letters on society, manners, public curiosities, and amusements, in that capitalLemaistre, J. G. (John Gustavus)

History

A rough sketch of modern Paris : $b or, Letters on society, manners, public curiosities, and amusements, in that capital

Lemaistre, J. G. (John Gustavus)

Paris (France) -- Description and travel

Besides these numerous play-houses, there are several exhibitions of
horsemanship, on the plan of Astley; and there is likewise a very
curious optical deception, called, “la Phantasmagorie de Robertson.”
The latter is very well worth seeing. After viewing in the outward
room various electrical machines, mechanical inventions, and other
curiosities, you are led into a dark apartment, in which the ghosts of
distinguished characters are supposed to appear. This is extremely well
managed; and the principle of optical deceptions is exemplified, and
clearly explained. A man of the name of _Fitzjames_ also appears as a
ventriloquist; and after he has thrown his voice into different parts of
the room, he declares, that the power of doing so is not a natural gift,
but simply a habit acquired, of varying the sound of the voice. The same
man gives a most admirable imitation of the meeting of a jacobinical
club; and in hearing him, you really imagine, that the demagogues of
those bloody days are still haranguing with all the absurdity and
madness, which characterised them. In addition to the amusements which
I have specified, there are innumerable puppet-shows, _théâtres de
société_, mountebanks, tumblers, fights of wild beasts, jugglers,
rope-dancers, and quack-doctors.

Having given you this general sketch of the _spectacles_ of Paris, I
shall, in my future letters, only mention such particular performances,
as by their merit or their popularity, may deserve your attention.

                                                                 I am, &c.




LETTER XV.

    The play of _Henry_ IV, read by le Texier.


                                   Paris, february 10, 1802 (21 pluviôse).

MY DEAR SIR,

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

A rough sketch of modern Paris : $b or, Letters on society, manners, public curiosities, and amusements, in that capital

A rough sketch of modern Paris : $b or, Letters on society, manners, public curiosities, and amusements, in that capital

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