A VISIT TO THE CASINO AT BOULOGNE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2137, 9 November 1875, Page 4

A VISIT TO THE CASINO AT BOULOGNE.

Timon of ; Athens, or any other misanthrope, would have found an ample field for the study of hunian foibles and vanities, and many occasions for railing at both sexes, when listening to the different conversations being carried on in the concert-room of the Casiho,loron, the broad terrace which overlooks the. sea, a place frequented by persons of-either sex desirous of inhaling the fresh seabreeze while under shelter from the sun. Let any one take a book or paper, pretend to be reading it as an encouragement for the people round about "him to talk, and he will be well amused ;by what be hears going on around him. Seat yourself behind two representatives, of that species called " swell*." They may easily be recognised by their wide-legjged trousers almost enveloping the foot; by their collars turned down to display their Byronic neck ; by their tight-fitting kid gloves, the tips of which emerge from huge „ wristbandsalmostas wide as their trousers; and by the peculiar manner in which they . wear their hair, cut straight round their eyebrows, something like the hair of the young English princes represented as prisoners in the Tower in a picture whifth hangs in,the Luxemburg. Arthur and Alphbnse, for such appear to be their names, have just had a trip to London to see theyoung "Miss de la blonde Albion*" and are stating in detail their adventures to, one of; their\ friends. " Even $he ' policemen are ignorant of the French language,';- says Alphonse, " and at a dinner at one of the Tbesf hotels. ■Wbthad, a salad of-ro§ejeaves made witi ? »erfumed oil." Tho latter assertion astomshed the person who was listening to the adventures of the two friends, bat they assured •him the salad had been placed: on* the table at the commencement of the repast in a handsome china bowl. The bowl they declared was covered with roses, and emitted a most fragrant smell. They also added that they had not disturbed the top covering of roseleaves, although they were convinced that > green salacLpf I some kind was concealed beneath. It may be easily guessed; that what; these' " gomvieux had; taketi, for a j salad vlyas w-pirely: and simply ;a; china bowl filled with ".pot pourri," or i the fragrant and, preserved leaves ?of the Provence-rose; Other errbrs equally glaring and ridicti^ ' lous had been made by these superficial observers, but, then, per contra, how false are the notions many an Englishman imbibes of France after a short"stay of some " week or ; ten, days at a French sea-coa~st bathing place. Foreigners are hot the only people from'whom amusement can , be derived, for any clever Frenchman, acquainted with the English language, might find ample field for his pen in listening to the criticisms English people are accustomed to pass on their fellow countrymen and women. _ Look at that fat man, who sits playing with his thumbs, dressed in a loud stilt of checks, with a white hat and a black band round it on his head. He is accompanied by his wifeV a vulgar woman on the shady side of forty, dressed in a gay*coloured silk dress, and his .two daughters, who would be pretty were they not so affected, and had they not a pyramid of false hair oh their heads, surmounted by one of those hideously grotesque hats^ or thatche*s Englishwomen are wearing at the moment. They are talking among themselves as to the ball to be given to-night at the Casino.- Pa says he will not go, first/ because he has no dress suit, not having worn one since his marriage, and also because he has promised to show a friend " Boolong ". by night.,-His better half her intention of chaperoning the dear girls, who are eagerly looking forward f o making the acquaintance of' some eligible man. Suddenly, however,- a cloud comes over . the brow of the party, as another detachment of the invading forces, consisting of father, mother, son, and daughter, enter by the doors leading to the terrace. They are described by the eldest young lady of the seated party as " those 'orrid 'Arrisses that keep the greengrocer's shop round the corner," a crime which has been rendered even more reprehensible by the fact of their having attempted, to force their acquaintance on their neighbours at home, who have turned their backs on them when once they have got abroad. Both in England and France the English girls, with rare exceptions, show with a laudable amount of patriotism that they prefer their own countrymen to foreigners, and prove that they have some claims to be looked on as worthy rivals of the Grande Duchesse in their love for les militaires. English 'officers who are spending their leave over at Boulogne— when they care to leave the gay dinnerparties which are being given onboard the yachts in the harbour—are quite lionised when they make their appearance ~in the dancing-room of the casino. How eager mammas are to confide their girls to the.soldiers, and how. the hearts of the young girls flutter as sweet nothings are exchanged, or some details of the last military ball are extorted from their partner, who in his turn is doing all he can to fascinate his fair questioner. Friday is the grand ball night, and no one . , is -permitted to enter unless en toilette Iml. This rule,, is not, however^ rigorously, observed^vith regard to the fair sexY Female ingenuity has proved itso'f quite equal to the occasion. Walking dresses are turned in at the front-; a lace fichu Qr white muslin polonaise is put on, a bouquet held in white-gloved hands, and the lynx-eyed usher or hussicr who stands at thedoor gives each Peri entrance to the - Halls of Terpsichore. : The wallflowers take their place, but there is a great inclination to revolt against the want of taste exhibited by the. sterner sex, who are prone to choose young and inexperienced partners when so many mature and practised campaigners are sitting neglected on their chairs. Some .of the elderly ladies make very strong running; rouge and powder have been extensively used to conceal the ravages of time, and the elderly maidens make a desperate effort to captivate some of the butterflies which- hover, from sweet flower to sweet flower, culling the honey, but sadly neglecting those whose only' consolation will be a determined attempt to assert women's rights, or to study some.abstruse question, which will merge the distasteful name of " spinster "into ihat of " blue stocking." The givU' enjoy themselves, their mothers confide them willingly to the partners who hare been introduced to them, and a certain guarantee is to be found, for the respectability^ of the company when it is known that an efficient . staff of vigilant police is attached to the casino, anrl that any lady or gentleman . Vguiliy of the slightest -light or improper : conduct is immediately expelled, while her or his name is at ouce erased from , • the famous livrcd'or. - -: