When Sardis revolted against CYRUS, a wise captive gave the angry monarch this advice: "Send men among them to teach them to fiddle and dance and love pleasure, and they will never more give you any trouble." I wonder if Paris would revolt now against CYRUS. Supper at the _Maison Dorée_. A little _consommé_ with poached eggs, a _filet aux champignons_, and a salad with a bottle of Champagne. PROTOCOL'S acquaintance, it appears, was the _blanchisseuse_ of the Embassy, an exceedingly respectable person of fifty. The rising diplomatist seemed rather sore on the subject of _Le Domino Noir_, which became the principal topic of conversation in consequence. Of course, the secret she told him must have been about his washing-bill. The present opinion of the Sage is, that pleasure, and indeed things in general, are vanity. _Bals masqués_ are noisy, dusty, and dull. People ought not to pay, but be paid, for going to them. Monastic institutions have charms for a well-constituted mind. Literary pursuits are laborious and not sufficiently remunerated. When Champagne is not good, it has disagreeable effects on your health the next day. Bring me some _Cognac_ and _Eau de Seltz_. Oh dear, I wish had cut the supper. [Illustration] * * * * * FRENCH TIES AND DYNAS-TIES. The Grand Opéra at Paris has just re-opened, after a perfect "restoration" made by order of the EMPEROR, who is more favourable to a "restoration" in affairs of the drama than in affairs of politics. The theatre has been gorgeously re-decorated and overlaid with a profusion of gold, which stands out in all the bold effrontery of gilt beneath the blaze of a thousand gaslights. Even the members of the orchestra are elaborately got up, and though not absolutely bound hand and foot at the will of the EMPEROR, they are literally taken by the throat, for they are compelled to appear in white neckcloths. Every instrumental performer must become a member of the stiff-necked fraternity if he wishes to be engaged at the Grand Opéra; and it matters little what may be his reputation, or how illustrious may be the stock to which he belongs, if he refuses to bind himself to the tie prescribed by the French Government. Such is the pliancy with which all classes now bow their necks to the ruling power, that we have not heard of one instance in which the forced application of the starched cravat has roused any artist's choler. It is, however, feared that in a very heavy and fatiguing opera the time of some of the pieces will have to be changed, in order that the orchestra may get a few bars' rest to adjust their neck-ties, which some of the tremendous _crescendo_ movements of MEYERBEER will be likely to derange. We tremble to think of the consequences of the "Blessing of the Poignards" on the cravats of the poor fiddlers. * * * * * SECOND THOUGHTS.