OUR PARIS LETTER.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1210, 8 May 1885, Page 3

OUR PARIS LETTER.

VARIETIES. Shrovk Tuesday in Paris.

Shrove Tuesday has been marked by the usual attempts at masquerades in Paris, although the fun and spirit of the thing has ro a gieal ex ent departed. The sun shone out bri.htly at intervals, and the temperature being unusually, mild, seemed to entice Parisians OU' of doors—that is if they required any enticing at all - to see a sight with (which they were most familiar when Shrovetide was in its nalraier days of their own palmier youth. Although there was less entrain than some years ago, the thoroughfaes were so crowded that the omuibusses altered their usual route, the oulevar-ls being left for ordinary vehicles. A cal travesti lor children, which was a gr at success, took place at the Opera in the afternoon, anil attracted large crowds, who watched he arrivals with evident interest Some amusing costumes had been -lonned by the juveniles, representing in some cases Chinese or Tonquise, though their radiant faces were far nrigbter than any seen in the Far East. Order was kept by a numerous body of police and some mounted Republican Guards. Along the pavements ma-k d a.bills, followed by ooinpac gro.psof urchins, created a little stir at intei vais, and oue of these boobies carried his cynicism so far as to impersonate cholera, ueing followed by a doctor and two patients. Incroyables were numerous, buu Baziles less u meious than on former occasions. The carriage traffic was enirvened by vehicles displaying huge advertis- ments, and oth- rs from which handbills were freely distributed to the passing crow is. The “music” with which they called atten lance to their special functions was simp y appalling. One of the drollest sights of the day was an individual disguised as an oiiraug-ou'-ang riding a ve ooi pe ie The nail at Eden Theatre in the evening was largely attended, and dan dog eisewhrTe was k pt up until a Ute hour. The success of the children’s ball was remarkable, there being upwards of 6UOO entries. Victor Hugo occupied one of the boxes, and appeared to be delighted with the fairy like scene before him. As soon a- Aia'iau-oiohestra bad given the signal the merry little folks, a me of whom were m re hams, danced joy tidy and with a fee.."in unrestricted i>y any rule save that of natural agility and grace. Another entertainment of the same kind, on .. more ex ended scale, will be given at .Mid-Lent.

INAUGURATION OR THE STATUE TO LEDMliocuiN in Paris. Tim inauguration of the statue of LelmR.illm, the siaiesman who has given universal suffrage to the French nation, took place "n ihe 27th February on the Place Vobaiie in the presence of a nurne-ons public, attendance. The crowd was kept back at a convenient distance from the monument by lines of police and foot Repun man Hoards, whilst knots of cavalry of the latter corps were stationed at the points of the Boulevards and avenues opening upon the square. The windows and balconies of the sur roun ling houses were ccupied by innumerable sight-seers, and many of the buildings were also ileck-d with the national c lour ami various emblems.

In the centre of tbo Place Voltaire stood the monument to Ledm Roliin, still veiled from view, 'he granite pedastal bearing on its faces the f Ilowing iusc iptions : “Suffrage Universe! de la Repiinlique,'’ and at the left side “ Droit de I’Homme.”

Precisely at half past one the band of the Republican Guardjprecludei the ceremony by resounding the “ Ma'sellais-," and the committee, with Mine, Ledm-Boilm, leaning on the arm of M. Frederic attat, Municipal Councillor, at their bea '.emerged from the Mairie to gather about the monument. Comprised among th« party were the Infantry Commandant Dessiri r, represea mg the President of the Republic, the Minister of the Interior, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Public Works, ihe President of the Chamber of Deputies (M. Albert, the ex-colleague of Lvdin-Rolim in the Government of 1848) with M. Floguet, Aladier tie Mootjan, Deputies; tone, President of the Municipal Council, and a large number of Deputies and civic artminis trators. Directly the last named group had assembled on the dais erected for the occasion, the dr pery covering the statue was withdrawn, and the bronze effigy of LedmRoliin was imposed to view. The famous Tribune is represented in an erect attitude, the right hand resting upon an electoral urn bearing the legend vox populi in git letters, and the left index showing the urn to the spectators. The gest-re of the figure is lofty, and the beating proud and imperious, yet not exaggerate d Round bis close buttoned overcoat Ledm Kollin wears the scarf of the representative of the peopleAn enormo -s wreath - I roses, bordered with white lilac, was then produced on the part of Mme, Ledm Roliin. who, apparently overcome with extreme emotion, remained sea e i with M Bnsson, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and M. Hattat, Municipal Councillor, on either side. Addresses were subseqnent y made by MM Ploquet, Carnot. Madier i e Monljan, and ocher assistance at the ceremony. Itis of some interest to mention that the peda-stal which supports the statue of the father of the Universal Suffrage family served as the base of the statue to Prince Lugene de Beauharnais.

THINGS AND OTHERS.

There is some question of laying down an atmospheric tube for the transmission of letters between Brussels and Paris. The despatch by this means would be carried from one city to the other in about half anhour Theie would be fire sections of the tube between Brussels and Paris. The last stage would run direct, with' ut stoppng, between Fergnier and Pans. It is affirmed that the Church of the Sacred Heart, at Montraoxtre, will be finished for the coning exhibition of 1889. The crypt, which has assumed enormous proportions, is on the point of bei g complete I, and the base relief of the edifice are well advancen. Since the bom l ition stone was aid in 1875. the subscriptions received am-imu lo 15,155.824fr. It i nsserted that about lO.OllO.miOfr are yet nceessay I for the entire completion of the massive basi : ica. Queen Victoria will arrive a Aix Us-

Buns on tno 9 n of April Sir a at y oj three wm k». Too wo 'le of he uiitiux of the brand Hoto e T Europe h.s uonu taken for tier Majesty and suite.

'he Papal Nuncio bus paid a visit to M. Charles Oounad and informed the illustrious composer that the Pope had been pleased to accept the dedication of bis oratorio “Mors et Vita, which is to be performed for the first time at (Birmingham in June next. 'M. Gounod has written buck a letter of thanks in the Latin language. The first hall given by the President of the French Republic this season took place at Elysee on the 19’h February. Great preparations had been ma'e to make it a success, a large verandah, ornamented w'.th bunting and evergreen-", having been eieo'e ■ in tne gardens. The app caches to the E ysee, the facade of which was hrilli antly illuminated, were kept by a detachment of mounted riepublioan Guards. The reception moms were crowded at half-past 11, bat many of those who arrived later left immediately, before even entering, in c m sequence of the rain, which fell in drilling showers. The ballroom was lighted by electricity by means of the Pause accu mutator, and by MM. Beau and BertrandTaillet, who hold an exclusive privilege for the use of this system, which proved a great success.