drinks as men. We were all seated about the marble tables of the Café Lion d'Or, with its hanging lamps of petrole, and its comptoir hedged about with an irregular palisading of bottles, where mademoiselle sat entrenched, dividing her attention between a little morsel of needlework, an apparently complicated set of accountbooks, and the requirements and disbursements of her customers. In the middle of the room a great round stove, cased with white enamelled earthenware, diffuses a very moderate degree of warmth. In fact, what with the white stove and the white curtains, and the mirrors, and the marble tables, and the parquetted floor, the general air is rather of chilliness and discomfort to an English eye, when viewed with the accompaniment of howling winds and November rains outside. A glass of "hot grog," and one's feet on a fender in front of a good coal fire, would be more in accordance with your secret wishes. But our companions are content, and so perforce must we be, and we suppress our shiverings as well as we can, and try to enter into the spirit of the hour. "And pray,' we ask as soon as the chinking of goblets has subsided, "what is the history of the Curé of Routot, that his name is thus popular?" Half-a-dozen voices were about to give a voluble explanation, when one of the party, who seemed to hold the position of chairman of the gathering, interposed, and cried in an authoritative voice, "Hold, my children, it is M. Despard who ought to recount to M. l'Anglais the history of that occurrence, as he was himself one of the principal actors." Everyone seemed to acknowledge the justice of this, and, after a moment's polite hesitation, in fear lest he should weary the company, Despard, a short, bullet-headed man, with a closeshaven chin, and huge black moustache, began the following narrative: "It was in the disastrous winter of 1870, when Rouen was abandoned, and the outposts of the Prussian army were pushed forward on either bank of the Seine, that I found myself, by the illness of my captain, in command of a company of Franc-tireurs, in which I held a commission as lieutenant. I did not desire the responsibility, but there was no help for it. Our corps was detached to observe the progress of the enemy, and we were marching hither and thither, our clothes in tatters, and our shoes worn to nothing. It was tramp, tramp, always tramp, tramp, sleeping under a hedge or beneath a tree, rarely within the four walls of a house; for shame to say it of my countrymen, but true it is, that every door was shut in our faces by the peasantry. It was only at the point of the bayonet that we could obtain the hospitality of our own countrymen, for they were mortally afraid of the Prussians, whose cruelties to the Franc-tireurs and those who harboured them had been rumoured far and wide among the paysans. "Well, I found myself one evening en་ camped with my company on the borders of the Forest of Bretonne, which, as you know, occupies a peninsula enclosed by the waters of the Seine between Rouen and Havre. It was a country tolerably familiar to me, and my own home was not very far distant; but I dared not visit it-the place was occupied by the Prussians, who were settling themselves comfortably in my chambers and making merry with my wine, whilst I was encamped in a ditch under a tree, wet and hungry, and in a very bad humour. I was stamping up and down and blessing the Prussians in my heart, when I heard the sentry challenge an approaching footstep, and presently a peasant was brought before me who was making his way through the forest, with a stick and a bundle of clothes, in the direction of the river. He was an inhabitant of Routot, he told me, a village about three miles off, and had left his home half an hour before to avoid the Prussians, who had just placed a detachment in occupation of the village. It was a post, it seemed to me, a good way in advance of the general line of the army; and from what I could gather from the countryman, who was a rather intelligent fellow, there were no other Prussian troops within four or five miles of the place. "All of a sudden it occurred to me that, being in such close proximity to the Prussians, it was my duty to beat up their quarters so as to prevent their resting too comfortably. There was an opportunity to distinguish myself that might never again occur. If by a quick surprise I could capture this Prussian post, the whole country would ring with the exploit, and I should find myself recorded with honour in the annals of my country. The love of glory is with us, monsieur, the most powerful of motives; it burnt as ardently in my breast at that moment as if I had been a youth of twenty or so, and not a grizzled old fellow, the father of a family. And yet the risk was enormous. The advance of the German armies might of Franc-tireurs would have been sufficient at any moment envelope us in its folds, to condemn him to speedy death if he had and for us Franc-tireurs, and for me their fallen into the hands of our enemies. As commander, there was no quarter to be for a guide, the spire of a church was visible expected, if once we fell into the hands of from a knoll a little beyond our campingthe Prussians. For myself, I was willing ground. enough to run the risk; but I had no right, perhaps, to risk the lives of my comrades. "I called my company together, and harangued them in a short speech delivered under the shelter of an oak, whose overspreading branches still bore a canopy of withered leaves. My men responded to my oration with the unanimous cry, 'Lead us against the Prusse!' To come to a hand-tohand encounter with these enemies, hitherto known to us only by their destructive missiles, their huge volcanic shells, their monster coups de canon-the thought filled us with exultation. But it was necessary to be circumspect. "Night was coming on, and a thick mist from the river was spreading itself over the plain. Darkness would soon be upon us, and we had already done a fatiguing day's march. We were even afraid to light a camp fire, lest its light should alarm the enemy and put them on their guard. It was impossible to find our way in the fog and darkness. We must rest as best we could during the darkest hours of the night. By the earliest dawn we would be on the march, and would catch these lazy Prussians in their beds. We detained the young man who had given us the information, to act as our guide in case of need. He was overcome with terror, and earnestly begged us to let him go. He would be shot by the Prussians, he said, if he were caught in our company, and bitterly bemoaned his hard fate. We made rather merry with this young man and his fears, twitted him with his want of patriotism, and promised to place him in the front rank when we delivered our charge upon the Prussians. I never saw a man more abjectly miserable than he. His fear seemed to give him a kind of desperate audacity, and he tried to break away from us; he fought with hands and feet; and when we were finally obliged to tie him up with cords, to prevent further violence, he bit and and gnawed at his bonds like a fox who is caught in a trap. During the night the peasant managed to make his escape. I know not how it was; the man who had charge of him, perhaps, took pity on him and kept his eyes shut. I simulated extreme anger; but in reality I was almost glad the poor wretch had got away. To have acted as guide to a company "At the very first appearance of daylight in the sky, I aroused my men, and we fell silently into column of march, and made our way at the double towards Routot. To possess ourselves of the main street, overpowering the guard, and shooting down the Prussians in detail as they endeavoured to form: this was our plan of operations, and, as far as we were concerned, it was carried out to the letter. We carried the streets of Routot with a rush; there were no defenders visible, and then we called upon the rascally Prussians to come out and surrender; but none responded to the call. The village was sleeping tranquilly when we arrived, but the tramp and bustle of our footsteps and the rattle of our arms must have awakened the sleeping inhabitants. A few heads, here and there, cautiously peering forth from behind the curtains were the only signs of life, however. Every door was kept carefully closed; not a single person came out to salute us. "At once I established my head-quarters at the little auberge, and called before me the trembling aubergiste. Ah, she knew nothing of the Prussians, she said; they had been here yesterday; but when they went, or where, she knew not. But if monsieur and his gallant comrades would kindly take themselves away, and not expose a poor widow to the vengeance of the Prusse "That was the tale everywhere. The whole village seemed completely cowed and frightened, more intent on saving their own skins and paltry household goods than upon the honour of France or the glory of our arms. Struck with sadness at the sight, I yet determined to respect their neutrality as much as possible. Levying a requisition of meat, and bread, and wine for the service of the army, my men made a camp fire in the middle of the street, and breakfasted merrily enough, their hearts cheered by the good meal and wine, and the warmth of sun and fire. But I, who had upon my mind the safety of my command, strolled away from the bivouac and made for the church, with the intention of climbing to the top of the tower and reconnoitring the country around. "The sacristan was already in the church, preparing to ring the bell for early mass, and he pointed out to me the entrance to projects had shaped themselves in my brain. To seize the principal houses and defend them, to cut our way through our enemies, to hold the church and churchyard, which were somewhat capable of defence - all were equally hopeless. We might sell our lives dearly; but there was no chance of eventual escape. As I reached the churchyard, I found it crowded with villagers, who were awaiting the arrival of the curé to begin the mass. They thought, no doubt, that in the church, and attending the holy office, they would find the safety that was so dear to them. At my hasty signal, my company had fallen in, and I addressed them shortly, pointing out that we were surrounded by the enemy, and asking them to sell their lives dearly for the honour of We shall get no mercy,' I said; and better die with arms in our hands than be fusilladed.' At this, there was a murmur from the ranks. Perhaps, if we surrender without fighting, they will spare our lives?' the winding staircase that led to the sum- "In the short time that elapsed before I reached the foot of the tower, half a dozen "I tell you no!' I cried, gnashing my teeth with rage. 'Are you pothouse rascals?' "At this juncture a young man stepped forward from the ranks. Mon capitaine,' he said, 'I have known this place in other days; it is impossible for our enemies entirely to surround us, for there is a marsh between the village and the river which cannot be crossed after the heavy rains we have had. But there is a path known to the inhabitants-a causeway which is now no doubt covered by water. Alas! I do not know the way, but any of the villagers will be able to conduct us.' "These words put renewed life into my breast. It was the work of a moment for me to spring over the low fence that divides the road from the churchyard, and to address the countrymen gathered in the churchyard. "Frenchmen,' I cried, 'a guide is wanted to conduct us through the marsh, and to save your countrymen from the overwhelming forces of the Prussians. Let the one of you best acquainted with the way step forward. It is France requires you.' "Not one of them stirred. They all hung down their heads and stood clustered together like a flock of sheep. "Hasten,' I cried, in a voice tremulous with shame and anger, 'hasten, some one, to volunteer to save your countrymen. What, is it possible! I no longer wish to live, then, since Frenchmen have grown so base.' "Listen, monsieur,' cried an old man, stepping forward, a grey-headed old man of some seventy years. It is not that we would not help you if we could, but the Prussians will be among us again in a few moments; if we help you our village will be burnt, ourselves shot, our wives and children driven homeless upon the world; we wish you well, monsieur, but we dare not help you.' "Even as he spoke I heard a cavalry trumpet ringing loudly in the distance, and the heavy tramp of approaching infantry. For me the agony of the moment was overpowering. I had no doubt of my fate if I were captured. Was I not already known to the Prussians as an active Franc-tireur? And to be put out of the way thus, not in battle as a brave man, but shot as a spy or a plunderer! I thought of my wife, of my children, desolate, destitute, and in the hands of our enemies; and then the keen pang of self-reproach that I had led my comrades into this trap, the remorse I felt at my own rashness and want of caution! All these thoughts were intolerable. I almost lost my senses with rage and despair. "At this moment the curé appeared upon the scene, walking quietly to the church door, his breviary under his arm. Aware of the noise and agitation of the community, he came himself forward, and looked inquiringly towards me. Hastily saluting him, I told him the cruel position in which we were placed. "What!' he cried, looking round among his parishioners with lofty surprise, is there no one here who will risk his life for the love of God and the sake of his country?' "He was a fine handsome young man, this Curé of Routot; and as he stood there in his long cassock and biretta, looking down over his people with eager indignant expectation, I thought that I had never seen a nobler looking young fellow in the garb of a priest. But his people stirred not a foot. "Give us the mass, mon père,' cried the old man who had spoken before, and trouble yourself not with what does not concern you.' "The priest drew himself up to his full height, and his eyes flashed fire. "Yes,' he cried, 'I am a priest; but I am a Frenchman first of all.' "He flung his book of offices on the ground, twisted up his cassock, and girt it about his loins. "We stole away like ghosts, with the priest at our head, and cleared the village just as the head of the Prussian column entered it. A squadron of Uhlans galloped after us, but halted when they saw the ground they would have to cross, and, after exchanging a few shots with us, retired, no doubt, to seek some route by which to cut us off. The party in ambuscade to intercept us, saw nothing of us till we were almost out of range of their rifles, although they were well within reach of our chassepots. So they wisely sounded the retreat, and drew off. Half-an-hour's march brought us to the Seine, where we possessed ourselves of a barge that was anchored in the stream, and floated quietly down the river, till we found ourselves once more within the lines of our own army. The curé was unable to return to his commune, which was in the hands of the Prussians, who would have given him speedy preferment to another world for the share he had in our escape. He had nowhere else to go, and made up his mind to remain with us a clerical Franc-tireur. He shared all our fatigues, dangers, and adversities, and proved himself an excellent comrade and good fellow. When peace came, he returned to his duties as curé, not without, I fancy, some little regret.” "And what," we asked, as soon as the buzz of comment and chat that followed the conclusion of Despard's narrative had ceased-" what became of the man who gave the information to the enemy, if he did betray you?" "Who knows?" said Despard, with a shrug. "Let the past be forgotten, and let us hope that another time France will not be betrayed by her own children." PAINT AND CANVAS. VASARI, the historian of painters, has much to say in praise of the "perspective views or scenes executed by Baldassare Peruzzi, an artist and architect of great fame in his day, who was born in 1480 at Florence or Volterra or Siena, it is not known which, each of these noble cities of Tuscany having claimed to be his birth-place. When the Roman people held high festivalin honour of Giuliano de' Medici, they obtained various works of art from Baldassare, including a scene painted for a theatre, so admirably ingenious and beautiful, that very great amazement is said to have been awakened in every beholder. At a later period, when the Calandra, written by the Cardinal di Bibiena-"one of the first comedies seen or recited in the vulgar tongue "-was performed before Pope Leo, the aid of Baldassare was sought again, to prepare the scenic adornments of the representation. His labours were successful beyond measure; two of his scenes painted upon this or upon some other occasion, Vasari pronounced to be "surprisingly beautiful, opening the way to those of a similar kind which have been made in our own day." The artist was a fine colourist, well skilled in perspective, and in the management of light, insomuch that his drawings did not look "like things feigned, but rather as the living reality." Vasari relates that he conducted Titian to see certain works of Peruzzi, of which the illusion was most complete. The greater artist "could by no means be persuaded that they were simply painted, and remained in astonishment, when, on changing his point of view, he perceived that they were so." Dying in 1536, Baldassare was buried in the Rotondo, near the tomb of Raffaello da Urbino, all the painters, sculptors, and architects of Rome attending the interment. That he was an artist of the first rank was agreed on all hands. And he is further entitled to be remembered as one of the very earliest of great scene-painters. In England, some six-and-thirty years later, there was born an artist and architect of even greater fame than Peruzzi: Inigo Jones, who, like Peruzzi, rendered important aid to the adornment of the stage. În his youth Inigo had studied landscapepainting in Italy. At Rome he became an architect; as Walpole expresses it, "he dropped the pencil and conceived Whitehall." Meanwhile a taste, even a sort of passion, had arisen at the English court for masques and pageants of extraordinary magnificence. Poetry, painting, music, and architecture were combined in their production. Ben Jonson was the laureate; Inigo Jones the inventor and designer of the scenic decorations; Laniere, Lawes, and Ferabosco contributed the musical embellishments; the king, the queen, and the young nobility danced in the interludes. On these entertainments three to five thousand pounds were often expended, and on more public occasions, ten and even twenty thousand. "It seems,' says Isaac Disraeli, "that as no masque writer equalled Jonson, so no 'machinist' rivalled Inigo Jones." For the great architect was wont to busy himself in devising mechanical changes of scenery, such as distinguishes modern pantomime. Jonson, describing his Masque of Blackness, performed before the court at Whitehall, on Twelfth night, 1605, says, "for the scene was drawn a landscape, consisting of small woods, and here and there a void place, filled with huntings; which falling, an artificial sea was seen to shoot forth, as if it flowed to the land, raised with waves, which seemed to move, and in some places the billows to break, as imitating that orderly disorder which is common in nature." Then follows a long account of the appearance, attire, and 'sprightly movements of the masquers:" Oceanus, Oceania, Niger and his daughters, with Tritons, mermaids, mermen, and sea-horses, "as big as the life." "These thus presented," he continues, "the scene behind seemed a vast sea, and united with this that flowed forth, from the termination or horizon of which (being the head of the state, which was placed in the upper end of the hall) was drawn by the lines of perspective, the whole work shooting downwards from the eye, which decorum made it more conspicuous, and caught the eye afar off with a wondering beauty, to which was added an obscure and cloudy night piece, that made the whole set off. So much for the bodily part, which was of Master Inigo Jones's design and art." Indeed, Inigo was not simply the scene-painter; he also devised the costumes, and contrived the necessary machinery; in regard to many of these entertainments, he was responsible for "the invention, ornaments, scenes, and apparitions, with their descriptions;" for everything, in fact, but the music and the words to be spoken or sung. 66 These masques and court pageants gradually brought moveable scenery upon the stage, in place of the tapestries, "arras cloths," traverses,' or curtains drawn upon rods, which had previously furnished the theatre. Still the masques were to be distinguished from the ordinary entertainments of the public playhouses. The court performances knew little of regular plot, or story; ordinarily avoided all reference to nature and real life; and were remarkable for the luxurious fancifulness and costly eccentricity they displayed. They were provided by the best writers of the time, and in many cases were rich in poetic merit; still they were expressly designed to afford valuable opportunities to the musical composer, to |