PARIS.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 409, 13 September 1876, Page 2

PARIS.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) One disadvantage in remaining in Paris during the epoch of the dog days is, that the streets are rendered uncomfortable by the compulsory whitewashing of houses, or what is still more trying, washing the facades with boiling water ; this is perhaps the only “ scouring ” business done in the city, the laundry work being effected in the suburbs. Such is the moment when a citizeness covets the complete bathing costume, on show at the outfitter’s, and longs to join some quadrille party among the waves. These hygienic operations compel one to patronise the pretty suburbs and the various beautiful forests ; on returning to town one can agreeably finish the daj- by an open air dinner in the Champs Elysees, to be followed by a concert. Rinking is impossible when the thermometer is at broiling point, though one establishment is open all night to suit passionate lovers of the rollers, and who can either commence late, or ealy in the morning. The best ventilated theatres are now adopting the plan of keeping open during the warm months ; actors find a provincial tour does not pay ; they go to perform before country cousins, and the latter arrive in Paris to witness the stars on their native heath. The grand opera, which is a delightfully cool house, attracts more by its splendid ballets than its operas; at the same time it is positively warm work to witness ballerines living for half-an-hour like Mahomet’s coffin, between heaven and earth, by methodical hops, steps, and jumps. Nothing can be more distressing, also, than the Danish girls in the circus, who execute very graceful tableaux rivants, but how the color does leave their cheeks! It is remarked that the Americans did not keep their centennial in Paris as they could and ought to have done. There was positively less external display, than is common to an ordinary fourth of July in Paris. There was no public solemnity ; dinners at a few boarding houses, the stars and stripes visible here and there. The Washington Club has become so economical, that it could not afford the expense, as in times gone by, of a border of gas jets round its balcony. If the American Minister did not give a dinner, he accepted one ; indeed a ministerial reception would not have been misplaced. The only approach to a public ceremony was attempted by some American teachers, and which the papers fairly reported. The Paris journals displayed more interest in the matter than did the American residents themselves, and (he comparison was very freely made, that under the Empire, the Americans celebrated Independence Day with greater Mat that they do under the Republic. Lourdes has had n new kind of couronneinent, that of the dedication of the new cathedral which covers the miraculous grotto, where the Virginisreported to have appeared a few years ago toa shepherdess ; the event has been long looked forward to by a certain party in the Church, who unite the restoration of the Temporal power, and the advent of Henri V to the throne of France. The gathering comprised at one moment over 100,000 persons, many of whom were attracted by curiosity; but it was observed, there was nothing either popular or national in the movemeut-; the pilgrims feel the political side of their aspirations is complicated ; the canticles executed were upon the old theme, that France in particular, and society in general, are in a crisis and only the Virgin can extricate both ; the fete was truly magnificent, there were 32 bishops and their attendant clergy, all in -gorgeous canonicals, for there was a principal and fifteen minor altars to be consecrated. The Radicals maintain that France is a Messiah people in point of humanity ; the ultramontanes, that she is such in point of religion, so extremes meet ; it is not so much God, Divine Order, and Christian Revelation that the Jesuit fathers preached on the occasion ; it was something more tangible and concrete ; it was before and above all, the Church, then its two modern dogmas, then the apparition of the Virgin and her rerelations. The crowd was calm and respectful, orderly, and attentive, but it would be difficult to say what notions they brought away with them. The fact of an old woman, aged 61, and a cripple of 44 years standing throwing away her crutches, and commencing to skip like a lamb, created a great sensation. If these cures could only be more numerous ; but then the pool of Bethesda was limited in efficacy. Gossip is busy about a legal notice inserted in the papers by Maurice Sand, reminding all holders of his mamma’s

(late George Sand) letters, that they cannot publish such without obtaining his permission ; this proceeding is causing many to halt in the revised judgment they were in course of making on the eminent novelist. It is said the Princess Bauffreuiont in order to put an end to her law suit, intends to surrender all claims to be? French estate ; this can be hardly called a sacrifice, seeing that her property

is sequestered pending that she stands her trial for adultery. Ladies do not. sympathise with her now. £ Cashmere, blue or cream, wilh.fu>7/r to , match, might be said to embody all that can be said about toilettes, beariug iu mind that the pattern is guided by the wearer's figure and taste. The simpler the costume is the better, and the more natural flowers are employed, the more fashion will be acknowledged ; a graceful morning, business costume, for out-door wear, is composed of plain sea blue cashmere, long behind, and short before, so as to be easily raised ; a fichu of white linon knotting behind, garnished with a petty plait, the hat in paillasson with a garland of butter cups/ Among the 1 general costumes observable arc, rosefaille, with scarves, and fringe of the same color, placed very low on the jupon ; grey pearl-faille nud rose, make a charming mixture, the fichu and hat to match; embroidered white muslin scarves, trimmed with Valenciennes, look very elegant over a pale blue faille. are also toilettes to be met with, w-hite or cream colored, a mixture of and wool, and all but concealed by tlw Indian burnous and dolmans; tsmif' shawls, however, are the latest mode, and are made of cashmere or China crape, > trimined with fringe or lace. The Marie AmSlie hat is coming into favor, and is so named after that of the year 1830 ; next winter it will be general but for the moment, the Gainsborough' hat is iu vogue, and, is exclusively adapted for young and pretty faces. Riding habits are made in light cloth, and whieli is monsolid, the gentleman's silk hat is essential for Paris, but in country districts, the round felt hat may be worn; Tyrol gloves must not be forgotten, nor the boot strap for the pantaloons. A housckee]>er informs me that [touring a little brandy in the gills of fish, and over the body, tends to keep it a long time fresh. Good, perhaps, where ice is absent.