Travels from Moscow, Through Prussia, Germany, Switzerland, France, and England (Volume 3) (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1803. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... equal even in Italy. We find, indeed, some rare. talents here. Madame Balletti is the first singer, and not only famous for hetiyoice and her beauty, but also for her irreproachable conduct A Parisian actress virtuous that is, indeed, a rare phenomenon; and on that account the English Lords, with a sigh, call her the Phcenix. Among the men are celebrated Rafanelli, Mandini, and Viganoni. The new theatre des Varietes, is the most magnificent among-all the play-houses here: an elegant hall, boxes finely ornamented, and excellent corridors. Here they perform comedies and dramas; sometimes very well; sometimes so so. The well-known Monvel, one of the best players in Paris, Lecain's rival, plays now on this stage; he is old, and has neither voice nor figure; but all these defects are remedied by his art and his excellent action. Every word he says makes impression--his eyes look as if dead, but in a moment they sparkle with the most lively fire. Larive, Monvel, and Mole, are perhaps the best players in Europe. Besides these five, there are a great many lesser theatres in Paris; for instance, in the Palais Royal, on the Boulevards; and each has its friends: for not the rich only, who live merely for pleasure, but the mechanic, the Savoyard, the pedlar, visit the theatre, at at least once a week. Even such as these weep or laugh, applaud or hiss, and decide the fate of a piece; and in reality there are connoisseurs among them who remark every thought of the author, and every proper gesture of the actor. A force de forger on devient forger on. I have often been astonished at the good taste of the pit, which is mostly filled with people of the lower ranks. The Englishman shines in Parliament. and at the Exchange, the German in his Study, and the Frenchman in the Theatre...