Page:Passages from the Life of a Philosopher.djvu/267

CHAPTER XX.

theatrical experience.

The Philosopher in a Tableau at the Feet of Beauty—Tableau encored—Philosopher at the Opera of 'Don Juan'—Visits the Water-works above and the dark expanse below the Stage—Seized by two Devils on their way up to fetch Juan—Cheated the Devils by springing off to a beam at an infinite distance, just as his head appeared to the Audience through the trap-door—The Philosopher writes a Ballet—Its rehearsal—Its high moral tone—Its rejection on the ground of the probable combustion of the Opera-house.

I was never particularly devoted to theatrical representations. Tragedy I disliked, and comedy, which I enjoyed, frequently excited my feelings more than the dignity of the philosophic character sanctioned. In fact, I could not stand the reconciliation scenes.

I did, however, occasionally, in one or two rare instances, assist in a tableau. I still remember my delight when personating a dead body, with my head towards the audience, I lay motionless at the feet of three angels, entranced by their beauty, and whose charms still fascinate my imagination, and still retain their wonted power over my own sex.

We enacted the scene so admirably that our performance was twice encored. But though thus "thrice slain," the near proximity of beauty speedily revived the 'caput mortuum' at its feet.

On one occasion having joined a party of friends in their box at the opera of 'Don Juan,' I escaped, by half a second,