At the theatre, says Blondel, nothing is more curious than the manipulation of these instruments, playing with the expressive grace which is a silent flirtation. Before the play begins, or during the intervals, every one talks in the midst of a confused noise resembling the buzzing of an immense swarm of flies. The curtain rises—all resume their places; the conversation ceases; the fans, everywhere waving in varied movement, gradually, one by one, tone down into regularity of time; they flutter in captivating cadence, suggesting in appearance a crowd of variegated butterflies, and charming the ear with their delightful ‘frou-frou.’ It is this play of the fan (_manejo del abanico_) in which fair dames and demoiselles have become such adepts, that it has been necessary to coin a word to express this charming art. Thus, ‘abanicar’ means the play of the fan, while ‘ojear’ signifies the language of the eyes. These two manœuvres, remarks M. Louis Énault shrewdly, are closely allied, and one alone suffices for a man’s destruction. The fan, indeed, has its own particular language, more eloquent than that of flowers—the Spanish _novia_ (lady-love) communicates her thoughts by code to her _novio_ (sweetheart), as—engaged couples in Spain being never allowed alone—woman’s ready wit has devised this means of private conversation. [Illustration: Spanish Fan, silk mount spangled, the head an ivory miniature. necklace of seed pearls. c. 1800. Mr Talbot Hughes.] [Illustration: Fête de l’Agriculture, 1798, silk mount, spangled. Mr LCR. Messel.] The instructions are set forth in fifty different directions in a little booklet published in German by Frau Bartholomäus, from the original Spanish of Fenella. A few examples will probably suffice as an indication of the method:— 1. You have won my love. Place the shut fan near the heart. 2. When may I be allowed to see you? The shut fan resting upon the right eye. 3. At what hour? The number of the sticks of the fan indicate the hour. 4. I long always to be near thee. Touch the unfolded fan in the act of waving. 5. Do not be so imprudent. Threaten with the shut fan. 6. Why do you misunderstand me? Gaze pensively at the unfolded fan. 7. You may kiss me. Press the half-opened fan to the lips. 8. Forgive me, I pray you. Clasp the hands under the open fan. 9. Do not betray our secret. Cover the left ear with the open fan. 10. I promise to marry you. Shut the full-opened fan very slowly.