Our Paris Letter.

Manawatu Herald, 22 October 1896, Page 2

Our Paris Letter.

Paris, 2nd 3ept. 1896. ■The large number of people who are returning to the capital from holiday resorts because of the abominably bad weather prevalent in all other places, have every reason to congratulate themselves, for the days here are hot and sunny and in every way pleasant. Providence seems to have set its face against holidays this year, for whether over-workel mortals fly east, west, north or south, they nod themselves rained, hailed, and snowed up»n, and generally maltreaded the elements. Violent storms have been raging along the noithern coast of France. Day after day rain and cold is reported from the south, while in Switzerland the barometer has stuck steadily throughout the summer at " Much , Bain." and nature there ha 9 nobly fulfilled the expectations thus held oufc. Under these circumstances it is mere common sense to paes one's holiday time here, where the sun has for the most part been kindly in evidence. Of that opinion was a young man who was found the other day lying on the ground, sound asleep, but without a scrap of clothing on him. After vain attempts to wake him he was taken to a neighbouring hospital. For three weeks he has been sleeping soundly. He was photographed, massaged, electrified, and bathed, every possible nuisance and remedy was tried on him, tut unsuccessfully. HoteUkeepers, cafe waiters, and other persons in the neighbourhood were questioned, but without result. A few mornings ago, after three weeks' asleep, the youth woke up and said, in reply io questions, that he had been at work «• yesterday " in a shop in the Faubourg dv Temple, and did not know how he had reached the hospital, or how he bad fallen upon any other portion of his fate. This was the way how the young man framed his holidays. Another curious story is that of Mme. Marie Chouard, who, thirtyfive years ago, then fifty-one years of age, had the misfortune to lose her husband, and in her great grief the good lady took a vow that not only would she spend the rest of her life in solitude, but from the time she returned from the cemetery, she would no more leave her residenoe uutil she was borne forth in her coffin. The fact may seem almo3t incredible, but Mme. Chouard carried out her vow up till a few days ago, when, in response to the strongly worded advice of her doctor, and with a deal of persuasion, she agreed to go for a walk for health's sake. The poor lady's promenade, however, was short, for she had hardly gone a few steps before she fell down dead, the rush of fresh strong air from the outside having caused a rupture, of one of the vessels of the heart. Fatalists will doubtless be pointing with awe to Mme. Chouard's death, which, however dramatic and strange, was perfectly natural and very easily explained by medical men. A curious ceremony will take place at the Village Noirs on the Champs de Mars next week. A young Degress will be married according to the Mussulman rites to a warrior of her tribe. The bride, whose name is Ahoua Diomou, is 22 years old, and the bridegroom, who is known as Samba - Con is 27. The pair will be conducted to the Mosque by the Marabout and the Chief. The ceremony will be of the most elaborate description, the nance's belonging to wealthy Soudanese families. The dancers and singers are in a high state of content, for they will receive rich rewards if their dances and songs bring down the blessing of Mahomet on the union. Mussulman wedding fees, by the way, are rather high. Samba-Con will pay 21fr for the weddiDg, 25fr to the Marabout, and lOfr to each of the witnesses.