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



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,