PARISIAN GOSSIP.

Southland Times, Issue 1121, 10 March 1869, Page 2

PARISIAN GOSSIP.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.) Pabis, Dec. 26, 1868. The Greco-Turkish question is still iv the ascendant. At first it startled us, but presently we recognised the real liens were not roaring. Opinion is unanimous here that the Greeks do not understand their epoch, and have reckoned without their host. They believe the western nations loved them as in the days of Byron and Chateaubriand, and feel rather taken aback in being 1 viewed as freebooters and filibusters, ! justly deserving a chastisement from Turkey. The latter must have fair play. One state must not be allowed to annoy its I neighbor with impunity, or there will be an end to aU law and order. It has been i the fate of Turkey to be over-dipl matised, and the Sultan has done wel I by serving notice to quit on King George. The latter would never practise his tricks were he not incited thereto by Russia, who expects to undo the Treaty of 1856, by means of " Greek fire." It was full time for the Porte to put an end to the Comedy of Errors, and force Eussia to explain her little game. The diplomatic world would have decided to localise the struggle— ls,ooo Greeks against 170,000 Turks— but in reality to beg Russia to re-consider her ways and be wise. No Turkish war is expected — the Eastern, question is once more postponed. The war fever in France has subsided, as the times are not propitious for going Ehinewards. France is willing to wound but afraid to strike, and although trailing her coat in a Donnybrook Fair spirit across Gernrany, Bismark declines to tread on it. People still believe in war— it is not impossible, but only remote. At home, politics have been of late inviting. The Opposition is girding up its loins for a struggle with the Second Empire on the hustings in May next, when the general elections will take place, and the verdict of the natiou pronounced on the Emperor's doings for the last six years. Should a hostile majority be returned, which is not likely, His Majesty must resort to another coup d'etat, the consequences of which would be disastrous. In France, however, the issue between the several parties is to possess power, not a change of administration. Dynasty planting is very difficult to take root in France. Unfortunately for the Emperor, his subordinates — for one says the Emperor no longer sees things with his own eyes — have kept him in hot water. Baudin was a deputy, shot down at the time of the coup d'etat while defending a barricade and the constitution the Emperor had violated, but for which the nation afterwards gave absolution. Until November 1 last, Baudin remained unknown to fame, when two journals suggested the erection of a monument to his memory, and | opened subscription lists. The Government saw in this a protest against the second of December, 1851, and a plan to excite hatred, . a li CT ££S^» t^TM u tt attair. On the third instant, the anniversary of Baudin's death, the Governmeni made itself ridiculous by keeping the 60,000 troops, that garrison Paris, in barracks for three days previously, to cope with an imaginary resistance. The Home Minister, M. Pmard, was the sole cause of this, but as he has resigned within these last few days matters may go ou better. The newspapers hope " never to look on his like again." Iv the lasfc six of his thirteen months of administration, he had sixty-four journals condemned,' and a total of sixty-six months of imprisonment, and £5000 fine inflicted on editors and publishers. The new Foreign Secretary, M. de Forcade, is a peace and a prudent man, but Ministers are uothin^ in the One-man system of Government in France. The Chambers will open about the Bth proximo. is hotly engaged in the general election of her Cortes, a proceeding that the Provisional Government too long delayed, but occupied its time, beating up j in every court in Europe for a candidate king— up to the present without effect More: the opening of national workshops, after the fatal example of such in 1848 here — the hesitation to carry out full religious freedom, has contributed to diminish the confidence felt in Prim, who relies now on the military — the ladder that raised him up and may let him down. Federation, not monarchy, is the Government believed best suited tobpam. She has been a Kepublic since September — was so centuries ago. The Cadiz rising points this moral. ° Austria is rising. By her perfect understandi <m with Hungary, she has checkmated Prussia, and her liberality in Gallicia has done the same to liussia. Italy still waits—following the example of Prussia At Marseilles a remarkable poisoning case has been judged. Three women had poisoned their respective husbands during the early part of tiie present year One of the widows was abetted by her mother and cousin— bub the latter were scqmtied. The object of the widows •whose ages ranged from 20 to 40, was to' indulge in a more public profligacy for except in one instance, the deceased husbands were exemplary, if not, models. Ihe poison was sold by a man named Joy, having a inosc perfect resemblance to an ape, his alter ego being a fortuneteller, and mother of three children who sought out wives having a grievance', and by means of Joy's arsenical solutions and bella-donna, sent the poor fellows by a sort of "happy despatch" to their account. > The doctors took the rumors as to their patients bavin- been poisoned nafreeaadea^ysort of wav, and what i-BtaU mJ re curious, the poisonings in question were never intended to be concpaled To get rid of a husband, was but to call m Joy, as a regular practitioner would *c sent for to set a leg or pr esc 4 c .* add* aperient. French jurors

too gallant ever to convict a woman, and the prisoners h.iving pleaded guilty, and invincible ignorance, a verdict of guilty with extenuating circumstances, was handed in. This saved all heads but their owners, excepting one of the widows who was to be imprisoned for twenty years, were transported for life. At Rochefort, a very remarkable " strike" has taken place, namely, among the midwives. In France, mid wives are licensed only after due examination. They often keep rooms, and receive patients until after their accouchement, "45 francs for nine days" being a well known advertisement of these professionals, on every wall in Paris. Some ladies, in an interesting situation, take up their abode for nine days, and welcome the " little stranger" by sending it to the foundling hospital, never once giving their name. The local prefet insists, that no " lady in difficulty" be attended, unless , she reveals her name, and in case of refusal, the are to keep the patients clothes — call in the police, which they decline to do — hence the quarrel. Surely the wisdom of the child that knows its own father cannot be too highly commended. Velocipedes are quite the rage — of every pattern and price — for men, women, and children. The velocipedists have their club, journal, and illustrated almanac — races are as plentiful as blackberries — and proprietors of schools mount their scholars of course, making; it another item in the " extras." While professors here can turn you out periect in French in a month, in velocipedism they will rnakeyou an accomplishedand perfect equestrian in the twinkling of an eye. One of the Crown Priuces of Japan — there are so many " brothers" of Taicouns and Mikados flying about Europe, it is difficult to know what branch he belongs to — has figured in a law suit here for toys, among which are some velocipedes. Imagine a charge of Damios ao mounted ? Hardly had the grave closed over " the King of the Jews," Kotbschild, and Rossini, than death strikes down one of the first citizens of France — Ber/'/er, verging on 80. This celebrated lawyer ancf politician sunk to rest at his country residence, Augerville, having left this city to die there. It was in defending Ney, in 1815, that Berryer won his spurs, and at once became famous. No great trial ever took place without his beiug the " leader," and his great talents were placed at the disposal even of his bitterest political foes. He defended the present Emperor after his Boulogne expedition, and the Orleans against the Napoleonic spoliation of their property. The printers he likewise defended against a charge of illegal combination, and they presented him with a splendid work — " Bossuet's Orations," — one copy of which only was struck off. . The carpenters were indebted to his ability when their craft was once in danger, and he accepted from their guild a writing desk, which he used and cherished to the last. At his funeral, delegates from both the trades held the cordons of the pall, besides Dukes, Princes, and Statesmen. In the Senate Berrjr.er was , a nnww HLe trWto iieury the Fifth, and the "Lillies" till his death. On his death-bed he wrote to his exiled king, deploring he was not able to see him restored ;"this act has rather placed the illustrious defunct in the position of •' serving two masters," —as he swore fidelity to Napoleon the Third and his constitution. Deputations from the Euglish and Foreign Bars attended his funeral, the interment taking place in a very humble vault, prepared almost by himself. The French Bar is about erecting a Statute to keep his memory green. The season at Compiegae has closed as all that's bright must fade. Never vvere gayer times known at the Castle, famous as the spot where Joan d' Arc was' surrendered to the English, and where Louis the XVI received his bride, Marie Antoinette, and Napoleon the First his Archduchess. T.he "invited," generally about 100 at a time, were divided into four series, and remained a week. Every guest made himself at home, joiuin^ in J the amusements or not, as he or°she! wished. The gentlemen shot and hunted and it was during the latter field sport that tiie Prince of Wales fell into bad : company— with some stags, one of which , showed him that when at bay, the stair i H | a dangerous foe. The Prince was rescued by the Emperor. Later ia the season the Emperor narrowly escaped a severe carriage accident, one of the two horses in his phaeton fell dead, from apoplexy and while its companion was preparing to bolt, his Majesty escaped. A better judge of a horse, or a more excellent hand at the ribbons, or a bolder rider than the Emperor, is not to be found lhe ladies sometimes rode after the hounds, one or two tried their hands at the rifle, and helped to fill a ba«r, the others got up p lc -nics and such devices for t.me-k.lling. After •' the house" is supplied, the remainder o f the slaughtered game is distributed aoionthe city hospitals. In the eveniu* ail the guests meet at dinner, the Emperor sitting at the centre of the table, facing him, the Empress, and a chosen guest a! their side according to turn. After dinner, talk, billiards, whist, drawingroomgames dancing, and theatrical! Itie Emperor likes to look on, but rarely takes part in the dances. Sometimes the spirit moves him to snatch a pretty e i r l and whisk her round to the strains of his pet Mazurka- Bella, when it is well played. Scotch ji^, reels, and courtly Highland flings suddenly became and now are, fashionable. The ladies' dressing at Ooinpiegno was rich, varied and marvellous. Tulle, white satin' and blue silks, profusely ornamented with flowers, and trimmed with the richest lace, the older the better, rivers of diamonds, and unlimited precious stonea constituted the general fashions. An attempt was made to go in for " wigs." The pretty Roumanian Princess Ghika > appearing "at fcne play" with a blonde

peruke over her raven tresses, a thing that Dundreary might be excused for saying, "no fellow could understand." Black velvet is quite the rage at present ; an effort was made to get up fur trimrainga, but Worth, the fashionable milHner— he fixes up the " girls of the period" himself — issued an ukase against furs, as they tended to destroy the effect of the human figure, and hence the attempt fell to the ground. Worth may make the man, but the want of Mantaliui, would be " dem'd unpleasant" for Paris. The ex-Queeu of Spain is reported to have said that had she known Paris was such a gay city she would have abdicated ten years ago. When Isabella first | arrived in Paris, she was " a strict accountant of her beads," every morning hearing mass at some of the chapels, but the dissipations of the Parisian life have told on her ex-Majesty. Even Father Claret begins to regard some of the Court ladies as lost sheep. The ex- Royal j Family are everywhere to be met with — | doing the " lions" and raking at theatres, j Her°Majesty is a coarse built woman, ' nothing Spanish about her, his nothing intelligent in her features, if anything, some<vhat stupid, but resolute and vindictive. Her father, 1-erdinand the Seventh, was said to have the heart of a tiger and the head of a mule. Some likenesses are hereditary. The poor king belongs to the effeminate class of mankind. "He walks daily on the Boulevarnds with his— or at least so said to be— son, and occasiouslly takes his glass of pel el in the most democratic manner at a restaurant. The young Prince of Asturas is rather delicate, but handsome and manly for his ten years. He and his mother seem to be companions, rather than what they are, she adores him his play room is l.is mammas bed-chamber, beside which is his own. Araon«* the few articles of furniture brought by the queen when " removing, is her bed, and plain iron gilt bedstead. In a closet adjoining is her " valuables —diamonds, &c. She leaves her present hotel for her new palace in a few weeks —when the painters and upholsterers finish the marble halls of the late res - dence of the Prince Basileuski. Adjoining the palace is a waste piece of ground. Some English and Americans are m treaty to purchase it, to erect thereon a Protestant Church, whose shadow might fall across Isabella's chamber door. Visits, very cordial, have been exchanged between the Tuilenes and the Spauish exiles. J Some new articles of dietary have appeared in the French markets— namely, bears which Russia forwards at the rate of two daily. " Fresh bruin" is as common as a joint of an old " Screw," aud made into steaks, sausages, &c, is re ported not to be bad. The poor animals do not die game in the slaughter house— they knock under like chickens. The police arrested a man a few evenings ae;o with a new kind of fresh meat. Oa examining his sack, it was found to contain the cascasse^ of eight newly-skinned dogs. He was in the habit of catching wandering dogs at night, skinning them, oeswioav 4 " I'^fferica1 '^fferica acjcfors^are prescribing swallows' nests soup to persons with d£ ranged stomachs — the Chinese luxury is rich in pepsine. The apothecaries in Paris have lowered the price of their drugs, the least reparation they could make. Their profession and the pawnbroker, are doing the briskest business just novf.