And ariettas are so pleasing
to the ear that they imprint themselves durably on the memory, which is no
equivocal proof of their merit. I cannot say as much for the tragic singing
in the Opera seria at the Grand French Opera, which to my ear sounds a
perfect psalmody. There is but one language in the world for tragic
recitative and that is Italian. On the other hand, in the genre of the
Opera comique, the French stage is far superior to the Italian. In the
French comedy everything is graceful and natural; the Italians cannot catch
this happy medium, so that their comedies and comic operas are mostly
outre, and degenerate into downright farce and buffoonery.
[42] Major James Grant, of the 18th Light Dragoons, was made a Brevet
Lieutenant Colonel on 18th June, 1815. - ED.
[43] A phrase in prose, often quoted as a verse, from Voltaire's preface to
the Enfant Prodigue: Tous les genres sont bons, hors le genre
ennuyeux. - ED.
[44] A tragedy often acted by Talma, the work of Antoine d'Aubigny de
Lafosse (1653-1708). - ED.
[45] Thomas Otway's once celebrated tragedy, 1682. - ED.
[46] The Tragedy of Douglas, by John Home (1722-1808). - ED.
CHAPTER V
From Paris to Milan through Dijon, Chalon-sur-Saone, Lyons, Geneva and the
Simplon - Auxerre - Dijon - Napoleon at Chalon-sur-Saone - The army of the
Loire - Macon - French grisettes - Lyons - Monuments and theatricals -
Geneva - Character and opinions of the Genevois - Voltaire's chateau at
Ferney - The chevalier Zadera - From Geneva to Milan - Crossing the
Simplon - Arona - The theatres in Milan - Rossini - Monuments in Milan - Art
encouraged by the French - Mr Eustace's bigotry - Return to Switzerland -
Clarens and Vevey - Lausanne - Society in Lausanne - Return to Paris - The
Louvre stripped - Death of Marshal Ney.
