The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1884-01-05 00:00:00

NEW YEAR'S DAY IN PARIS.

Writing on Tuesday evening the Paris correspondent
of the Daily Telegraph says :
Brighter weather has come with the New Year.
The dull, heavy, foggy atmosphere of the past fort-
night has given place to pleasant sunshine, and Paris
is itself again. The streets were early astir. Many
of the inhabitants began the day by attending mass,
and then hurried off to visit their relatives and friends,
for the Jour de 1' An is specially dedicated to social
amenities. In the afternoon the Boulevards were so
thronged that locomotion became a matter of extreme
difficulty, and there was no alternative but to go with
the tide. The innumerable booths which line the foot-
paths from the Madeleine to the Place de Is Ittitanb-
lique did a roaring trade, toys and sweetmeats being
in great request. The IChroumirs of two years ago
have surrendered the palm to the 'Black Flags,"
figures of whom with conical gilded helmets are to be
found in many of the little shops. Birds and small
dogs, pictures, images, household utensils, pocket-
books, purses, and countless other articles suit-
able for etrennes were to be met with at every turn
and corner, and secured ready purchasers. Before
some of the stalls containing amusing exhibitions the
crowd, attracted by the stentorian tones of enterprising
vendors, lingered so long that a complete block was
caused. Much merriment was raised by the contor-
tions of miniature wrestlers, a peculiar feature of this
year's show, as the little figures spun round on their
elsatio cords.

Most of the shops were closed to-day, but those
devoted to the sale of flowers and bon-bons formed
a pleasing exception. Here, again, dense throngs
congregated, and it may fairly be said that a glimpse
at the windows of the flower shops was well worth
the walk. Nothing could have been more tasteful than
the effect produced by the rows of superb bouquets
arranged with exquisite skill and a correct eye to
colour. One novel feature was the imitation of a
painter's pallet, the colours being arranged in patches
of flowers on a white ground, with a little
batch of real brushes in the corner. Another con-
sisted of floral fans, which gave free scope to the
employment of true artistic taste in the arrangement
of natural flowers, and formed one of the prettiest
noveltiee in the shops. Baskets of bonbons, sur-
mounted by dolls of different shapes and shies, were
also in high favour, representations of old Father
Christmas—probably for the benefit of the foreign
element—not being forgotten. The good•humoured
crowd moved slowly along, thoroughly enjoying every-
thing, and to all appearance totally oblivious of every-
thing but the pleasures of the hour.

The usual official receptions took place in Paris on
New Year's Day. At half-past one the President re-
ceived the Diplomatic Corps, the members of which
presented their congratulation. The Papal Nuncio, ad-
dressing M. Gravy in their name, said, "I am happy,
for the second time, to be called upon to be the bearer
of the good wishes of the Diplomatic Body. You are
too well acquainted with their sentiments for it to be
necessary for me to speak in detail of the good wishes
they entArttin for France and for yourself personally.
Deign to accept the expression of their good feeling."
M. Gravy replied: "The Diplomatic Body has known
for a long time past the high esteem and sympathy I
feel towards them, and are consequently assured be-
forehand of the pleasure I experience in receiving the
good wishes which have been so well conveyed in their
name by the Nuncio." Lord Lyons presented to the
President the new first secretary to the British Embassy.
Prince Orloff, the Russian Ambassador, Baron Boyers.
the Belgian Minister, and M. Mayrocordato, the Greek
Envoy, were absent, but the staff of the Russian Em-
bassy and the Belgian and Greek Legations were pre-
sent, being headed by their first secretaries. Marshal
Serrano, the Spanish Ambassador, was attired in the
uniform of his military rank, and wore the insignia of
the Golden Fleece; General Menabrea, the Italian
Ambassador, was attired in a general's uniform.
Other receptions followed that of the Diplomatic
Corps. M. Chevreul presented his respects to the
President in his capacity is a member of the National
Association of Agriculture. Addressing M. Gravy,
he said he attended the reception not withstanding his
being ninety•eight years of age, because the good
wishes annually expressed by the President brought
him good luck.