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July 18, at one in the afternoon, he arrived at Saint Cloud, accompanied by the Empress, amid the roar of the cannon at the Invalides. That evening they went into the city, called on Napoleon's mother, and went to the opera, where the Pretendus was given; the audience greeted them most warmly.
These are a species of comic opera, in which is introduced a great deal of show and bustle. Panurge, La Caravanne, Anacreon, Tarare, Les Pretendus, Les Mysteres d'Isis, &c. are of this description. The music of the first three is by GRETRY. It is considered as replete with grace, charm, and truth of expression. The poem of Panurge is an estravaganza.
Besides, he is absolutely deficient in nobleness of manner; and his stature and countenance are better suited to low character. Indeed, he chiefly performs in the operas termed here operas de genre, such as Panurge, La Caravanne, Anacreon, and Les Pretendus. In these, his acting is correct, and his delivery judicious.
The bills announced the Pretendus and a divertisement, The public knew that this divertisement was to be a sort of apotheosis in honor of the Imperial glories. The house was crowded, and the passages themselves were crammed by the enthusiastic crowd. During the second act of the Pretendus there was great excitement over the arrival of Napoleon and Josephine. Applause resounded from every side.
It is a production of the celebrated BEAUMARCHAIS, who has contrived to introduce into it a sort of impious metaphysics, much in fashion here before the revolution. The music is by SALIERI; it is very agreeable. The decorations are brilliant and diversified. Les Pretendus is a piece in one act, the plot of which is weak, though of a gay cast. The music is charming.
Ladies distributed laurel branches, which all the spectators waved, shouting, "Long live the Emperor!" Musicians played the chorus of the Caravan. Meanwhile, the scenery of the Pretendus disappeared, and applause began over the magnificent decorations that took its place.
We have no intention of discussing his thesis in these pages; we must refer those who are interested in the problem to M. HALÉVY'S dissertation in the Journal Asiatique for June 1874: Observations critiques sur les prétendus Touraniens de la Babylonie. M. Stanislas Guyard shares the ideas of M. Halévy, to whom his accurate knowledge and fine critical powers afford no little support.
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