THE PARIS EXHIBITION.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2777, 8 January 1878, Page 3

THE PARIS EXHIBITION.

A NEW DBPABTJCENT.

But it has just, been discovered, that, notwithstanding the vigorous exertions and clever initiative of M. JErantz, the commissioner-general of the Exhibition, and in spite of all thn projects and suggestions that have been put forward with a view of adding to the attractions of the undertaking, a grievous void has been so far allowed to exist in the programme. Animals and machines, raw and manufactured products^objects .of eyery*possible nature (indigeljCiis ot" exotic), had been duly counted on, but in the immense and seemingly boundless catologue " Wety woman had been forgotten! Happily, before it was too late the country of Don Quixote, Chistopher Colunibus, and the Cid, that legendary land which, served as a cradle to chivalry,"has discovered the mistake we were on the point of committing, and is taking measures to arert it We are to hare a " Beautiful Woman Show" at the Exhibition of, 1878 ! A Spanish journal, El Norle de Castitla, announces the gladful tidings, pointing- out at the same time the morality and utility of the, scheme, and recommending it to . the attention of the fair sex all over the globe as being under the patronage of the Minister of Public Works at Madrid, to whom all portraits of competitors should be sent. Your colony will, it is understood here, be largely represented in some sections of the Exhibition, but let me beseech Australian beauties not to be slow or shy in entering their claims for prizes in this novel contest of loveliness. Appeal is made to ail the handsome women of the world. There will be sixty-one prizes, 100 adcessits, and 200 honorable mentions- The jury is to be composed of two members lor each nation, a gentleman and a lady, and they will foupd their awards on" the inspection of two photographs, one a full face and the other

a profile likeness of the suject. A perusal of the programme leaves me unable to stale to what extent the exhibits will be permitted to disclose their charms, but the widest latitude should evidentlybe accorded to the competitors on this point. Costuaie, as we know, varies with each country, and it would hardly be fair in a contest of this kind that whito ladirs should not bo allowed to reveal beauties

which an Abyssinian or a Hottentot belle might unveil without scruple. This delicate point will, howerer, in all probability be left for decision to the jury. But, whether clothed or not, the portraits of sixty-ono prize winners nro to be exposed for twelvo days, in a hall reserved for that purpose, after which they will be united with the accessits and honorable mentions, in an album. .Copies of this rare volume, produced in the richest style of art, will be offered to the sovereigns of the various countries represented at the contest, and others less expensive in their ' get up will be placed at the disposal of the public. This will be "A Book of Beauty," indeed. Moreover, crown and completion of this tournament of loveliness, a grand prize of honor will be decreed to the fairest of the fair competitors, and this fortunate she will bo proclaimed Queen of Beauty, and will be invited to come to Paris, where she will be shown to our bartauds, seated in state in a splendid car drawn by six magnificent horses of. the purest Andalusian breed and followed by as many of her rrals, who, having gained prizes, may wish to shine as lesser lights in the triumphal cortege^ Of the success of this attractive procession, which will recall visions of the Goddess of Beason, the Bacchanal of the Porte Saint Martin, and last not least, of our late interesting friend, the Boeuf Gras, I for one cannot entertain the slightest doubt. So now, Anglo-Saxon beauties of the Antipodes, be not laggard in your preparations. In thus informing you of the brilliant opportunity offered you of rendering yourselves illustrious, I have ao far performed my duty, and if any among you should be so fortunate as next summer to sit radiant behind those six Andalusian thoroughbreds, she may count on one pair of manly lungs which will shout themselves hoarse in Her honor, as she passes along the Boulevard, and can reckon on one unworthy pen to chronicle throughout Tictoria her triumph in Paris. —Melbourne Age's Paris Letter.