" 

"The New Drama at the Theatre Fran^ais, called 'The 



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THE MySTERY THICKENS. 49 

!,aborer of Lyons," which is to-night to be repeated, is cal- 
inlaied atid seems to have been designed by its reckless author 

to produce the very worst effects among the laboring classes. 

We deeply  thai it has been suffered by the censors to be 

brought out." 

t[ The multitude called forth by paragraphs like these to wit- 
ness the new play was, of course, immense. Long before the 
time for the curtain to rise the vast edifice was crowded to 
its utmost capacity with an eager and enthusiastic assemblage. 
N'ot only were the galleries, parquette and lobbies filled with 
blouses, but the boxes were glittering with a perfect galaxy 
of fashion, loveliness and rank. Conspicuous in the orchestra 
stalls were the three friends  the Secretary, the journalist and 
the Deputy. In a small and private loge in the second tier, 
concealed from all eyes by its light curtain of green silk, and 
its position, but himself viewing everything upon the stage 
or in the house, sat the author of the play, calmly awaiting 
the rising of the curtain. 

The performance at length began, and the piece proceeded 
to its termination, amid thunders of applause, which,