From Gustavus Nibs to Miss Dorothy Nibs, Mousehole. Dear Dolly, This is the first moment I have been able to devote to you since your all-inquiring last. You ask for the spring fashions. The truth is, as the thaw did not really set in before the latter end of May, the winter demand for cloaks and furs continued steady until the past month. It is, however, rumoured that the gown of the summer of 1838 will be worn at least two inches lower than that of 1837, and, after a painful investigation of the truth of the report, I am inclined to give it my belief. In the matter of dress, the present fashions are certainly distinguished by better taste than the modes of former years. We are old enough to recollect the monstrous prints of the beaux of a few seasons back. Now, the caricaturist could make nothing of the fop of 1839. It is not for my poor head to discover the cause of this simplicity of attire in comparison with the wear of by-gone years; though I am perfectly aware that a philosopher could give, at least to himself, a most satisfactory reason for the change: as at Exeter Hall, a few days ago, an acute and philanthropic orator attributed much of the increase of crime to the introduction of the Adelaide boot. The season, so far as it has gone, has been barren of those wonders usually produced for the London market. St. Petersburgh has contributed a musical family-M. Strauss has made a descent with his immortal waltzes-and Mons. Alexandre, the extraordinary actor and mimic, repeats a visit first made to us some thirteen years ago. Still, if I except the arrival of a new ouran-outan at the Zoological Gardens, we may be said to lack the advent of those wonderful exotics which, I am told, generally distinguish "the season." You will recollect the lines addressed to Alexandre by Sir Walter Scott-I am convinced that the genius of the actor was worthy the compliment of the poet : nothing can be more perfect than, if I may use the term, his self-annihilation. In a little French piece, constructed for his powers, he personates seven different individuals; and, unassisted by mask, mark, or patch, gives you seven entirely new faces-in fact, he is not Mons. Alexandre, but he is seven wholly different men and women. Having become a member of the Zoological Society, I shall be enabled to transmit you the earliest and the most authentic intelligence of the proceedings of that public-spirited body. It is, indeed, a delightful thing to retreat from the stir and bustle, and, let me in confidence add, the hollowness of society, to the stern, ingenuous, and picturesque realities of what we call the lower creation. Tired of human frivolities, the jaded mind takes refuge among the monkeys; disappointed, despairing at human ignorance, we are solaced with the wisdom of the elephant: shocked at the ingratitude of the world, we buy buns and make friends with Bruin. And yet-forgive me the confession-there does appear to me something positively pusillanimous in the affected indifference with which we chat and saunter before the cages of the carnivora-something, as I observed to one of our distinguished corps at the time pelting à royal tiger with gooseberries-cowardly in our contempt of captive strength and greatness. As, however, science and social happiness are advanced by the Society, we must not too hastily condemn the means. I am informed that such success has attended the efforts of you a the propagating committee, that kangaroo-tail soup will altogether supersede the use of ox, and wild turkeys take the place of barn-door chicks. The giraffes will, it is hoped, in a few years, utterly drive neck of mutton from our kitchens. Touching the giraffe, I must tell characteristic anecdote of a visitor. Two or three provincial gentlemen-I knew them at once as Manchester men-were grouped together, staring at the giraffes-" Handsome creatures!" cried the most enthusiastic, " very handsome-beautiful colours, too, ar'n't they?" "Humph!" observed another, staring at the spots on the skin; "beautiful-but I-I wonder if they're fast." The new ouran-outan-we have now two-is advancing rapidly in public favour; I could send you a golden list of visitors. We are, however, promised a more extraordinary acquisition. At our last general meeting, Alderman Solon-he is a new fellow-observed that he had read an account of a wonderful bird, reported to build its nest of spices, and that, moreover, when it died, it was immediately succeeded by the chick bird from its ashes: he wished to know if such a bird were in the Gardens, and, on being answered in the negative, gave notice that he should, at the next meeting, be ready with a motion on the subject: he also expressed his regret that no measures had as yet been taken to secure a unicorn. As for the expenses of the Society, the learned Alderman contended that the sums for fish for the young pelicans were altogether unnecessary, and moved-the motion however fell to the ground-that the pelicans should in future feed their young ones after the "good old plan," namely, at their own expense. The Alderman could not speak with certainty as to the fare of the ostriches, but trusted that they were fed upon the very oldest iron-iron having of late considerably gone up. And now, dear Dolly, is it to be wondered at that the Society should have done so much for science, when it numbers among its leading members so many Solons ? Another Society is, I am informed, about to start, on the same principle as that of the Zoological, namely, of gathering together the finest specimens of things-the collection, however, to be made from the genus homo. Two New Zealanders now in London, have, in the very handsomest manner, offered their countenances to the exhibition, and, as I hear, the committee only wait for the arrival of a family of Esquimaux, and a native of Madagascar, to open the show. Each specimen will be accommodated with a separate cage, a catalogue raisonné will be drawn up by three distinguished members of the Royal Society, descriptive of the manners, habitats, &c. &c., of the exhibited— and, on the whole, the very liveliest hopes are entertained of the attraction of the scheme. As it proceeds, you shall hear from me: meantime, believe me Your affectionate brother, GUSTAVUS NIBS. P.S. I had almost omitted to tell you that Sambo Jumbo, a very beautiful specimen of the Guinea black-he is footman to a retired tight-rope dancer-has thrown up his engagement unless his name appear in the catalogue in the very largest letters. Hopes are however entertained that his objections may be ultimately overcome. From Gustavus Nibs to Clarissa Peachdown, Mousehole. Beloved Clarissa, The Coronation takes place; but we have no banquet-none! How far the ceremony may or may not be considered constitutional by the omission of the old accustomed feast, it is not for me to question. Redtape, a private of our brave band, and an attorney of sharp intellect and equally sharp practice, shakes his head, and professes to have his serious opinions. However, as loyal subjects, let us hope for the best! I had already seen myself handed down to the remotest times, standing before unborn generations with a golden dish in the historical picture of Victoria's Coronation dinner; and nowbut let me not dwell upon the disappointment. Our corps have sustained no such blow since the Commonwealth. We expected to feed in state at the public cost-and we are compelled to dine at the Blue Posts at our own expense: as loyal men, we can at present only pray for the stability of the monarchy. Ere you receive this, the ceremony will be over; it is, however, pleasing to me to anticipate the events of the national holiday. Great things are looked for from the genial influence of the 28th, 29th, and 30th of June. It is expected that creditors will forgive their poor debtors-money-lenders forswear usury for a year-stockbrokers stick to truth for a twelvemonth-and, in fact, that men of all degrees and professions will cast away from them all that is mean and mercenary, and vow a life of charity and benevolence for the time to come. But to enumerate a few minor expectations: It is expected that conduits of wine will flow in Cheapside, Regentstreet, and twenty other great thoroughfares, all of which will be duly made known : It is expected that for one hour a shower of sovereigns, will be rained from the York pillar, the Monument, and other elevations, the precise hour and place to be duly made known : It is expected that every independent householder shall throw open his doors and hospitably feast all comers, the intentions of such worthy hosts to be duly made known: It is expected that all England shall for three days be considered Arcady, and that the intentions of those peers, peeresses, knights, and ladies, who may wish to pass for shepherds and shepherdesses, shall be duly made known : It is expected- -But, my dear Clarissa, neither time nor paper will permit me to put down a tithe of the golden expectations of the three days. What the realities shall be, you may in fitting season learn from Your's until death," GUSTAVUS. July.-VOL. LIII. NO. CCXI. 2 E PARISIANA. Paris, 8th June, 1838. MY DEAR MR. EDITOR-If I were some twenty years younger, and some six feet shorter, I might really call myself the "last rose of summer” left blooming alone, for Paris is provokingly empty, and the streets monotonously dull. All of British fashion and beauty are gone some to Switzerland, on their way to Milan, but most to the sea-coast, on their way to the Coronation. The French nobility and gentry are likewise imitating their neighbours; and, as there has been no Sacré in France since that of Charles the Tenth, and as there is, indeed, no prospect of a return to old and accustomed ceremony in this country, they cross the Channel or proceed to Italy this year to enjoy the splendours of other courts and the sights of other nations. So here I am, "left blooming alone," in very sad weather, with hailstones as large as (the French papers say so) pigeons' eggs, with cold March winds on Sunday, April showers on Monday, thunder and lightning on Tuesday, wind and rain on Wednesday, and so on, and so forth, from day to day, and from week to week. So to pass my time away, I "do" a little politics, a little music, a little of the drama, a little literature, a little of the fine arts, and sum up all, with a little dinner and an occasional stroll in the Tuileries or a drive to the Bois de Boulogne. To-day I have been humming all day long a new rỏmance, the words by Lemoine, and the music by Mdlle. L'Puget. It is quite new, and its title is " Ma Mère et mes Amours." The words are pretty, and the air delicious. I have time enough to copy the former, but not patience enough to write out the latter. So here are the words : "Salut; pauvre chaumière ! Je reviens pour toujours Et de toi, mes amours. Salut! berceau de mes beaux jours, Salut! ma mère et mes amours. Après sept ans d'absence touchant au seuil sacré, De joie et d'espérance mon cœur est enivré. A son enfant fidèle ma mère est toujours là, Mais qui sait quand j'appelle si Louise repondra? Mais celle qui m'est chère à trahi tous mes vœux; Et si parfois ses charmes venaient troubler mon cœur, Je veux cacher mes larmes en voyant ton bonheur ! Oui, dans notre chaumière tu seras pour toujours mon bonheur, There's for you! if that is not pastoral enough to please you, you must be difficult indeed. Talking of singing, have you yet heard Polak's comic song of "Nestor le Coiffeur," accompanied by the scissors? The music is by Clapipou, and Achard is the songster of the Théatre du Palais Royal. It is decidedly the cleverest hit of last season. "J'connais pas d'art plus magnifique q'l'art du coiffeur, du perruquier! N'y-a rien d'si joli q'ma boutique; elle est la gloire du quartier! Comm' bien du mond' qui m'environne j'nai pas besoin dans mon emploi D'ambaisser jamais d'vant personne, on s'courbe au contrair' devant moi! "Recitative.-Il n'y-a ni rang ni fortune qui en dispense; le civil, comme le militaire de tout sexe, est forcé de s'y conformer. Le grand comme le petit, le grand surtout se courbe davantage, et les rois, les rois eux-mêmes, qui restent ordinairement couverts devant les plus puissants de leur royaume, se decouvrent devant leur coîffeur. Il n'y-a véritablement que le Capucin avec lequel nous ayons peu de chose à démêler. O sacrés auteurs de mes jours, recevez mes bénédictions! quelle glorieuse idée vous avez eue en voulant faire de moi un artiste coiffeur, et je vous trouve augustes et sages de m'en avoir fait saisir l'occasion par les cheveux! "Le confident de bien des femmes, c'est bien souvent notre destin; "Recitative.-Combien de ces coquettes m'ont déjà crié des tresses, des tresses! Nous sommes véritablement des monstres privilégées. Madame ne reçoit personne, elle attend son coîffeur. Ah! c'est vous Nestor? vous êtes insupportable, voilà deux heures que je vous attends. Madame a bien passé la nuit? Que vous importe, mon cher? vous êtes insipide, assommant (car c'est toujours très amicalement qu'on nous traite). Nestor. Madame, j'ai appris que vous veniez d'être honoré du suffrage de vos concitoyens, et que, sans intrigue, et presqu'à l'unanimité, vous avez été nomme ! -Caporal dans votre compagnie des voltigeurs. Cela me prouve que vous êtes un homme discret, et surtout ennemi des factions.-Un de mes cousins, c'est à dire une cousine que mon mari ne peut pas suffrir pour des raisons politiques assez majeures, désirerait que je lui fisse cadeau d'un cordon de montre en cheveux. Coupez m'en donc beaucoup, mais d'une manière imperceptible. (A part-tiens, Monsieur, qui m'a fait aussi couper de ses cheveux pour faire un bague pour un de ses cousins, c'est étonnant comme ils aiment leurs parents dans cette famille-là!) Allons, voyons donc. Suffit, Madame. Confiance qui m'honore et dont Nestor n'abusera pas, Monsieur n'y verra que de feu. Allez doucement Tzing. Ah! l'imbécile m'a coupée. Moi, Madame, par exemple jamais! "On dit, c'est une chose claire, la boutique d'un bijoutier, On dit l'étude d'une notaire, on dit le bureau d'un banquier, "Recitative.-Et l'on a bien raison. Y-a-t-il un séjour plus. enchanteur. Les yeux peuvent s'arrêter sur de charmantes Odelisques aux épaules découvertes mises comme des reines et réellement femmes de cire, toutes faites au moule ! Vous vous enivrez de mille parfums divers et d'été, la rose, l'oeillet, le jasmin, la savonnette de grasse; véritable existence de Sibarite; jouissance des yeux et de l'odorat. Et le système auditif! ah, ah! le système auditif! je n'ai jamais vu une oreille délicate qui ne soit sensiblement touchée par un bon coup de ciseaux; ah oui, parole d'honneur! je suis né coîffé! . c'est à dire coîffeur. "Pour un coup d'peign, je vaux mon homme et si partent avec honneur, Sur la papillotte on m'renomme c'est que j'la pince avec chaleur. Oui l'on peut criore à ma franchise esclave de de l'art que je sers, Bien loin que le peigne me défrise tous le jours je bénis mes fers-tous les jours. "Recitative.-Je ne comprends pas, eh non je ne le comprends pas, c'est encore un mystère de la civilisation, que tous le fils de grandes maisons, les traiteurs à 18 sous par tête, les négocians en contremarques, les marchands d'allumettes chimiques allemandes, les sergents de ville, enfin l'élite de la société, ne renoncent pas tous aux honneurs de leur condition pour se faire coîffeurs ; d'autant que le noviciat est vraiment peu dispendieux. Un bas Normand, ou un autre bas un bas Breton encore (c'est |