CAN-CAN BY A PRINCESS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 406, 2 September 1876, Page 3

CAN-CAN BY A PRINCESS.

how his music prbfobmed The Metternich was always a great admirer of Wagner, and the composer the usual ways blocked of his operas in of the sportive and wrote her a of one from King asking her influence to recognition. As in she undertook, Princess herself to work energetically, determined not to fail. She sent for the director of the opera, but to her chagrin, he was as impermeable to her entreaties as flint. It was out of the question, he said, to put “ The Tannhauser” <m the boards, as the singers refused to perform Wagner's execrable music. *' But if the’Emperor shouldcommandit?” asked the Princess. “Of course,” answered the director, “ his Majesty’s orders should be obeyed.” To the Emperor, then the Princess went and obtained an immediate audience at the palace, Yet with Napoleon 111 her smiles and prayers were in vain. “I cannot command the opfrii singors to ‘right about’ as I can Command my army,” said the Emporpr, and inhis quiet half-sleepy way the refusal was as final as words could make it. Just then Monsieur Fleury, the Minister of the Interior, was announced, and entered the chamber: “Ah, Monsieur Fleury, my dear, excellency,” exclaimed the Princess, “ please help me to persuade his Majesty tn direct Richard Wagner’s ‘ Tannhauser’ - Io be performed at the Grand Opera.” Fleury, as an experienced diplomatist, made some faint excuses and turned the conversation into another channel by telling of a remarkable arrest made the preceding evening at the Jardin Mabille. He said “ some noted families were dancing the can-can in auchan outrageous manner that the Sergeant of Police, who was present, thought it necessary to stop .hemi ' But the women did not heed the •rider, and One of them displayed such vondrou's dexterity and agility that she ■ctually danced off the sergeant’s hat from .is head by - , kicking it away with the tips 4 her toes.” “ Impossible,” said the Imperor, “ that cannot be done 1” “Quite pssible, your Majesty,” rejoined the rincess Matternich ; “I can doit myself.” ‘ I should like to see your highness do it,” aswered Napoleon, with a smile. “ Very veil.” replied the Princess, quite resoItcly ; if your Majesty will play the canon on the piano, I shall dance off Ministe Fleury’s hat, only on condition that if Ho it, your Majesty will order the 4 "annhauser’ to be sung at the Grand Oera.” “ I accept the condition,” said -.N.poleon, and the three adjourned to an adoining parlour, where the Emperor suited himself at the piano, and began to pity the can-can. Fleury stood in the mildle of the room with his hat. on, and —-he - Princess, singing the melody and . gathering her long, trailing skirts, opened the dance. She threw her legs in the air with’ amazing rapidity: and suddenly pne of her feet swung gracefully over the head of Minister Fleury, and his hat rolled upon the carpet. “Bravo I” shouted Napoleon. - “Your Highness has won the bet!” The Order was issued to the director of the Grand Opera oh the same . -«jay. The ,‘ Tannhauser” whs performed, |fltod Richard Wagndr owed his introducParisian audience to the expert dancing of ’’the Austrian Princess ■”