OUR PARIS LETTER.

Evening Star, Issue 3884, 5 August 1875, Page 3

OUR PARIS LETTER.

{Concluded?) Paris, June 12. There is a revival of interest in spiritualism, caving to the clever tricks a sleight-of-hand performer executes every evening. He expounds all the goings-on of tho “ specrits,” and challenges to expose any mysteries that may be asserted as such. late M. de Rcsumat was a convinced spiritist,' and sympathy fora brother’s spirit led, it is said, to his voting for Alexandre Dunuts as a_ member of the Academy. Ihr Assembly is charged with losing time ovei theories of education, while doing nothing to improve tho salaries of the teachers ot the primary schools, whose condition is very painful, they being required to maintain a certain position on a miserable salary Female teachers have only 500 fr. a year as salary, and receive but little in the way of school fees. France is said to be rich enough to pay for her glories; she roieht allocate a few millions more to some of her necessities, more particularly when the revenue is reported to be in so flourishing a condition as to make the ex-Uhlans’ mouths water; perhaps after the general elections, when the political mil lenium is expected to arise, some attention will be given to this and Kindred matters. The Republic is considered to be progressing so well that no more bulletins it is said need be pub’ished respecting its health; thus, with peace at heme, and dreading nothing from abroad, the country has but one course open t«> it : to work, eat, drink, and bo merry, fom virtues alike popular in this country. The exhibitions seem to be like the making of books, of which Solomon said there was m. end. Pictures—good, bad, and indifferent - monopolise public favor, and it is asserted that the only way to suppress what resembles Tenmuch a nuisance is to only purchase paintings by the square yard. The flower show was the bsst exhibition which has taken place this year —it attrated more people and more beautiful toilettes. Ladies are at home amidst flowers : the sweets ever to the sweet.

I have a few remarks to offer on the prevailing tastes, Straw embroidery is in general request, and indeed every kind of embroidery finds a place. Blue and white are the favorite colors, then perhaps shades of brown and black. The materials for summer wear cannot vary much; they are, of course, of light texture, and worn either unique or in two shades. Velvet petticoats are in vogue, and the colors vary with tastes. Hats are still soup-plate pattern, and are worn far back on tin; head. Roses arc largely patronised, but when ha ,r o theyeverbeen discarded? A new kind of bathing dress is announced, “ the Boyton. ’’ The naked eye fail.to discover wherein its novelty consists. Far better is tho ‘‘ Boyton waterproof,” recommended to ladies who desire not only to he secured from a down-pour, but to be warm at tho same time. It was to be expected that. France would honor the courageous swimmer. The marriages among the upper-ten ia France were never more numinous than at present, and since manners descend from above, the other couches societies may be expected to follow tho examp'e. It is said tho clergy never so active in recommending parishioners to marry, and with matrimonial newspapers and endless matrimonial agencies there ought to bo no difficulty in the matter. The marriage of Mdlle. Say, niece of the Minister of Finance, with the Prince de Broglie, son of the due of that name—in France the sons of dukes are styled Princes —was almost a royal affair ; how many princesses of the blood could equal the wealth of the bride’s trousseau and corbeiUc, which has been the gossip of the boudoirs some weeks ? She has as many pieces of stuffs, velvets, satins, and silks, to say nothing of lace, as will enable her to set up a draper’s shop, if Prussia succeeds in sweeping away France. She has thirty complete toilettes, Jind as many Cashmere shawls as are shades in the rainbow. It would he unjust not to allude to the sumptuous Venetian ffites given by Mine. Ratazzi, where neither luxuries nor pleasures are wanting. Unhappily they have obtained the reputation of being gentlemen’s parties, and ladies are not over anxious to attend them. In a word they are not considered Al. In the theatrical world the revival of play, which have been successes forty years ago, is the chief feature; and it is thus that Scribe and Picard are becoming favorites. 1 • la not old wine wholesomest, old pippins toothsomest, old wood burns brightest, old linen washes whitest! Old soldiers, sweetheart, are surest, and old lovers are soundest.” The actresses have made “ plendid books ” at the recent races. They are located iu a special part of the grand stand, which is designated the cage of the lionesses,”