PARIS OF TODAY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 2 January 1940, Page 6

PARIS OF TODAY

STOIC DETERMINATION CHANGED MOOD EVIDENT. MANY SHOPS CLOSED. A totally different city in mood and appearance is the Paris of today compared with that of just before the war. 'The carefree and beautiful Paris one loved has vanished; the curtain is lifted on a stage set for events of historical import. The heart of Paris beats today to a new rhythm; its throb is a graver one. There is a stoic determination not only in. Paris, but in all France, a philosophic acceptance of new conditions, a general willingness to comply with the many necessary regulations. A mere glance at the Paris streets convinces one of that; there is not the slightest, sign of jitters. Faces, it is true, are graver and the lightness of tone is gone, for who has not a son, a husband, a friend in the fighting lines’? But life goes on; daily work must be done and done gracefully. In the circumstances the Parisian is showing spiritual resistance and firm resolve that count for the final victory' even as does courage of lhe men at the i front. The Paris streets look strange. Many shops are closed, their windows crisscrossed with bands of paper as extra air-raid precautions. Streets are also empty' of traffic and except in rush hours there are few pedestrians. Uniforms give a touch of colour to the otherwise drab crowds. In contrast the civilians vaguely re-‘ call in their uniformity of d ’ess Aldous Huxley’s “Brave New Won I” —hatless women and girls wearing tailored suits and fiat-heeled sandals, carrying their übiquitous gas masks in a variety of ways—slung over one shoulder, worn in shoulder belt or carried in the hand like a pocket-book. An additional canvas haversack called “musette,” is frequently slung across the right shoulder. This precaution against a surprise air raid contains a heterogeneous collection of itemms to lhe personal taste. One girl, for example, had a complete change of clothes, including sandals and turban, as though in a weekend bag. Another produced a well-plan-ned first aid kit. There is less loitering except at the luncheon hour. The pigeons at the Place del’Etoile are being sorely neglected. An old Russian, formerly an admiral, was among the few to take pity' on them the other day. As he stood there surrounded by this feathery flock, he seemed a modern St. Francis of Assisi. The bare appearance of cafe terraces during the day indicates the number of persons who have left the capital. Paris by night is amazing. The City of Light is no longer. A few dimmed lamps guide one's steps. Pocket flashlights help out. Lighted terraces are prohibited, but in the darkness one can hear and sense voices, laughter and general good humour in these cafes and restaurants remaining open. The Cafe Flore, of Left Bank fame, closed its doors the other night, so did Francis, but the Duex Magots, and opposite it on the Boulevard St. Germain, Lipp’s, as well as the Dome and Coupole, on the Boulevard Montparnasse, inherited the homeless patrons. Fouquet's is still drawing Hie fashionable few remaining. To make up lor the absence of ils usual crowd, brilliant uniforms lend colour to the scene.