OUR PARIS (Ladies) LETTER.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 274, 22 May 1875, Page 2

OUR PARIS (Ladies) LETTER.

March 20. 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 anOlivier 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, without 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. Rausseau 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 you would 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 sign board; 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 him ; assume a virtue if you have it not, is an axiom in the commercial code. Tomorrow, 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 certain to be wellattended. 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 seventytimes seven; they also seize the opportunity to pay outstanding debts, a Mahometan virtue very much to be admired, aud 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 Paris, practice ; 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; Mr. H. B. Stowe found, from a personal visit, nothing incorrect in that establishment, which doubtles 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 representations 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 pie, and swan pates, there will be numerous choruses and dances, in which bears and goats 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. Another theatrical novelty; Offenbach will give for the amusement of the newspaper writers, a complimentary representation of his dazzling Genevieve de Brabant, and will direct the orchestra himself; if the other theatres, forty 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,” devotingaday by turntoEnglish,Spanish, Russian, 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 nnmerous 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 aftera 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 aud her days of old, atuj perhaps aet like a four-leaved Shamrock in converting the Republicans to the belief that the best way to protect their saint, was to entrust the guardianship of her temple to Monarchists and Bonapartists. 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 French wit, cuts both ways. Faure the celebrated barytone it is said has been presented with a silver tankard and mug by his admirers in honor of the occasion of his first appearance at the new opera, and the jealous say, the gift is intended to mix his gruel. Mlle. Krauss has received from a fellow countryman —an Austrian prince — a casket studded with jewels and full of Jonions ; it is enough to tempt one to pray for a sore throat, or to borrow it, if such were within the laws of complimentary contagion.