LADIES' LETTER FROM PARIS.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 296, 25 May 1875, Page 4

LADIES' LETTER FROM PARIS.

(From a correspondent of the Press.) Paris, March 20th. Strangers are exceedingly numerous in Paris since the proclamation of the Republic, perhaps they have arrived to witness that unexpectedly created lion, by a parliament of Monarchists, and which deserves to be ranked as an addition to the seven wonders of the world. Hotelkeepers are so delighted with the rapid " passing of their bills," that they display the highest proof of patriotism as well as of confidence in the Government, by paying in advance their direct taxes. The large drapery establishments are doing a splendid business—since they have provided purchasers with hot, instead of cold lunches, and so orthodox are they, that nothing is placed on the table during the Forty Days Ordeal we are passing through, but what the Cardinal Archbishop of Paris might partake of, and with an Olivier lightness of heart, that his conscience had nothing to reproach his appetite, and his digestion still less to upbraid the " walkers." Every place looks lovely in Spring, Paris perhaps most of all ; she is prim and coquet, witnout ever having the air of having been made so, and her face always shines, but presents no evidence of the effort to make it so. With the soft sun the trees are budding, and the birds singing, and ladies, the most beautiful, rational, and intelligent birds in the world, are also occupied giving a lustre to their plumage, and " following nature," as doctors and J. J. Rousseau recommend, by taking like her, a new decoration. The shops are cornucopias of elegant and varied goods, and next to not being able to buy what you like, is to admire what costs nothing to view. Since the Shah of Persia has ordered hats and fichus for the ladies of his court, a few establishments have appropriated to themselves the honor of being furnisher to him ; they are perplexed to know how Madame Shah ought to be designated, hence why his favorite Peri cannot do duty on a signboard. Some say the King of Kings resembles another ruler in being " the most married man in the world " ; now a Parisian John Gilpin, that would in any way countenance polygamy, either in the East or West, would find the thanes falling away from bim ; assume a virtue if you have it not, is an axiom in the commercial code. To-morrow the Persian Ambassador gives his annual fete in honor of spring and the unlocking of flowers, as is customary in his country : visitors will have the opportunity of paying their respects to his lady, celebrated as a type of perfect Oriental beauty. She does not go much into society, but the ball that can count upon her presence is is certain to be well-attended. The day in question is doubly dear to Persians ; it is the occasion for parted friends to unite, and to forgive each other not seven times, but seventy times seven : they also seize the opportunity to pay outstanding debts, a Mahometan virtue very much to be admired, and that Christians and free-thinking tradesmen alike in this city would desire to see some of the members of the Shah's suite, on the occasion of his visit to Pari?, practise ; it is not easy to dun a creditor at Teheran or Khorassan. Paris is preparing for her annual fete of roses, permanently held in the Jardin de Mabille, and which the posters announce is being put in apple-pie order. Mrs H. B. Stowe found, from a personal visit, nothing incorrect in that establishment, which doubtless explains why all orthodox Americans on arriving in the capital make their pilgrimage there first, to test, of course, the accuracy of her statement. Another treat in store for us is a series of lepresentations of Russian theatricals, by artistes to the manner born. The pieces are neither dramas, operas, nor comedies, but spectacles of Russian customs, life, and manners ; the opening play will represent >Russian society as it existed before the time of Peter the Great; the interior of a boyard's home will be as faithfully represented as if Asmodeus himself had lifted the roof off the house, and asked us to look; then a marriage will be enacted, and the usual diplomatic formalities portrayed; the wedding banquet will include oxen roasted in their entirety, geese pies, and swan pates', there will be numerous choruses and dances, in which bears and goat* will take part—in the latter amusements only; the introduction of dancing bears and goats will at least be an agreeable variation, for the public is a little satiated with elephants, asses, lions, and dogs taking a leading part in the legitimate drama. Other theatrical novelty: Offenbach will give for the amusement of the newspaper printers, a complimentory representation of his dazzling " Genevieve de Brabant," and will direct the orchestra himself; if the other theatres, foity at least in number, follow that example, the printers will have to strike for short hours, to enable them to enjoy the stage. Marie Dumas has introduced a change in her matinees; she calls them now "international," devoting a day by turn to English, Spanish, Russian, &c, literary, dramatic, and musical subjects; she is the worthy head of this polyglot institution; she has, however, not given pleasure to the "Knights of the Shamrock;" now the Irish colony, either of direct or indirect descent, is numerous in Paris, and the members wished her to give a matinee Irlandaise, but she declined, fearing to perhaps imperil the belle alliance. As she can declaim in any language, after a short preparation, an ode was composed for her in pure Celtic that Ossian might be proud of, and that would certainly cause Marshal MacMahon to toss up his three-cocked hat, in memory of Erin and her days of her old, and perhaps act like a four-leaved shamrock in converting the Republicans to the belief, btst way to protect their saint, was to entrust the guardianship of her temple to Monarchists and Bouapartists The new opera gives nothing but old operas, with the interlude of temporarily closing doors, in consequence of the warblers being down, or up, with influenza; hence, why some wag has chalked on the walls, "National Hospital of Music," which, like all Fiench wit, cuts both ways. Faure, the celebtated baritone, it is said has been presented with a silver tankard and mug by his admirers, iu honor of the occasion of his first appearance at the new opera, and the jealous say the gift is intended to mix his gruel. Mile Krauss has received from a fellow-country-man—an Austrian prince—a casket studded with jewels and full of bonbons-, it is enough to tempt one to pray for a sore throat, or to borrow it, if such were within the laws of complimentary contagiou. The opera is thus reduced to give representations, with a " wind and weather permitting;" proviso, " You pays'your money" for a ticket, but "you takes not your choice;" the admission is for a certain numbered repnsen tation, where neither date is fixed, nor bill Of toe deiiuedj the lest plan, for travellers

is, before setting out ou their monthly circular tour, to purchase their tickets, and on coming back, they have all the probabilities of seing their turn arrive, or if not, ' the'ivalue of their right of admission quadrupled. Strictly speaking, the opera is a place, not for listening to music, but for gossiping, exchanging visits, and showing off toilettes. The latter have here one uniform and charming character—to be white, and the form of the robe is that of the princesse, with rich material and no garnitures; the bonnet is white damask and black velvet, and when not intended for full dress, white felt is preferred for ordinary wear, and which has the advantage of being more serviceable ; the brim is either turned up or flat, and sloping towards the back of the head, flowers and ribbons form the principal trimming, with fewer feathers and rather more of jet. Skirts incline to be demi long, thus dispensing with flounces, white and its various shades are the favorite colors, the "foam " tint being more esteemed ; as for materials there is nothing new, and those suited to the season, if soft and light, blue, green, grey, &c, in color, will be perfectly fashionable ; only take care to select different shades of the same color, and allow one of the stuffs to be heavier than the other. The Russian "blouse" is in request, it is a princesse tunic, without sleeves, made in Cashmere or Sicilienne, so as to be worn over a silk dress, having a corsage and sleeves. Embroidered tulle is much employed as insertion for this costume, and this material promises in no distant future to supplant head garnitures. The most graceful, and also the newest form of " casaque " has large sleeves shorter behind than before ; it is trimmed in two styles, each having its admirers. The first covers the material when in silk or cashmere, with beads and embroidery surrounding them with a kind of sparkling lace, or with crisped feathers ; the second has simply mohair galons, or woollen marabout , the former is considered to be more youthful and elegant; faille for jupes will be superseded by light silks, and instead of puffs robes will be "bouffantes." Lent has its special fashions for devout minds, it is necessary for one to be as simple as possible during the forty days ; few "falbalas" and an ungrudging sacrifice of flounces, plaits, ruches, and all forms of garniture possible and impossible ; neither are bright colors or lively tints permitted ; it is the season for demi-mouruing; during the day some shade of grey ; pending the evening, white ; no bare shoulders or arms, for it is the period of prudery ; over low-bodied corsages and sleeveless arms is thrown a tunic of white lace ; some very devout ladies even go so far as to cover their hair with fine grey powder, which dims the color ; the Hebrews also patronised ashes. The amusements tolerated must have an air of penitence; profane music is tabooed, the old masters and sacred compositions have alone the right to be heard ; no theatre, except the piece be solemn and sound, but everywhere attendance at sermons ; no more lunches, as such would astonish the servants; no -pates de foie ff?as, truffles, game, or heady wines, such succulent comestibles render the mind hefwy; claret and fish form the safe and standing bill of fare, though Jif Brillat-Savarin be believed, fish troubles our senses as much as do truffles, and are saturated with diabolic elements. In addition to these severities, the Jubilee has arrived with its measured joys, the faithful form long processions is parish order, marching to the metropolitan cathedrals, headed by their respective clergy; rota scoff or a sneer is indulged at these city pilgrims, I hough Paris be a capital of scoffers. Is this exemplary state of things to be attributed to the Republic, which paid the Prussian ransom, and despite Sedan and the loss of Alsace, has so much of the milk of human kindness left, as to be ready to pension the noted officials of the ex-Empire, who have all been suddenly struck with infirmities, as to be able to perform no other work than opposing the now legalised Republic and administering financial companies. Much attention is drawn to the Comte de Waldeck and his great age, 109, as if there were not many old women superior to him in lustres, only the fashion is to ignore them ; the Countess of Desmond can be honorably compared with Old Parr. The oubrieves of Paris are subscribing to provide the necessary funds to send a deputation of their respective trades to the Philadelphia Exhibition. The Government might step in here advantageously with a little help, as none can surpass a Frenchwoman in intelligent criticism and quick penetration ; they cannot in any way involve France, which is believed to owe its present happiness and peace to the State of Siege, a cause that people implore to be removed. Quite a calamity has fallen on the girls who sell natural flowers. " Isabelle," who had the contract to supply the Jockey Club with flowers, and under the guise of repartee to levy black mail for a penny bouquet of violets among the occupants of the grand stand ou race days, has been cashiered. She is known to be very wealthy, but was so parsimonious as to allow her poor old mother to starve, and who was reduced to the necessity of appealing to the law to force her hard-hearted child to give her the means to live. The publication of the trial was Isabelle's death warrant. She can console herself in private life. She is the proprietor of two villas in the country, and has a house in Paris, that Serrano or Cabrera, or any other Spanish patriot, might enjoy as a haven of rest till the moment came to swear fidelixy to some bran new form of Government. Flower selling is not a bad business for unemployed females, and ladies who graduate for domestic servants might try their hand at this more delicate occupation. The washerwomen have had their fete since mid-Lent. They keep up the fun till Easter Sunday by having picnics in the lavoir and quadrilles in the sechoir. Life will henceforth be a little more secure in France, as the late Home Minister has cautioned doctors and gravediggers to take extreme care not to consider any person as dead and necessitating burial until death really sets in. Another contribution to longevity, the annual inspection of steamboilers in the city, is now going on. Paris has ever ran more danger more being seated on steam-boilers than from volcanoes. The inspection of the cooking utensils in the restaurants will come off at Easter, so that a general cleaning of coppers is going on Thus we have a fair prospect of commencing the spring without being poisoned, but who knows the dangers we have escaped. A philanthropist recommends thrifty house keepers to patronise the Italian soldier's pot, by means of which, when the food to be cooked is placed therein, and the fire lighted, the heat is so arranged that not a particle of it can escape, and he can strap ii to his back and march ahead till dinner hour. The aUcairers of Aimee Desclee will

be happy to learn that that talented actres a 's memory has been fittingly honored. On the anniversary of her death, a few sincere friends, headed by Dumas, attended at the ceremonial blessing of her simple, but expressive tomb. It is curious the hold that her weird-like talent took of the Parisians, and who always allude to it with solemu respect. "Nun or actress," such she often stated, was the only choice left her in this life, and had she recovered from her cruel malady, she intended to retire to a convent. " Hygienic" envelopes are advertised, as also " buttonless" gloves for ladies, and " unbatterable" hats for gentlemen—these last must be a luxury, as a friend observes, in the case of a "free fight."