The Express.
London, England, 1866-08-17 00:00:00

•
Y EtrENTNOr, ..AUGUST;. 17,

been red
Qt the

LA'

INTELLIGENCt

IF.T

THE

',OR'S FETE.

PARIS, Anal= 16.
The great national festival was this year ap-
proaebed with a tortilla amount of apprehension. The
weather bad been for some time so exceedingly uncertain
that a fine, bright day could scarcely be depended on, and
• lowering sky was considered more probable than a cheer-
ingsun and pleasant breams. Both Monday and Tuesday
were uncomfortably intempseeed with heavy showers, sad
the strangers who bad thronged to the French capital in
vast crowds for the fate could net have received la very
favourable impression of Paris weather in the month
of August. The crowds which continued to ar-
rive for some days were extraordinary, for as
Germany her been this year almost universally avoided on
account of the war, and as Switzerland has been deluged
with rain, and in consequence not much frequented, Paris
seems to have been made the general plane of rendezvous
for holiday-travellers. In addition, excursion trains had
been organised by the various railway companies, and
greatly increased the fleeting population of the capital.
When the usual salvo of artillery from the Invalides at 6
o'clock yesterday morning announced that the fete had
commenced, the run was shining out brightly, and the
appearance of the sky presented every indication of a
splendid day. The proceedings commenced by an abun-
dant distribution of provisions and alms to the ne-
cessitous, Infirm, end aged in the twenty arrondis-
sements of Paris, the expense being defrayed from
the Emperor's private purse. All throughout the
empire, aimilar acts of kind-hearted charity took
place. The troops in the capital received an additional
allowance of wine, and all that were not required for
military service were permitted to leave their barracks and
remain out until 12 o'clock at night. The same indulgent
regulation is established for all the great military centres.
The ceremony of visiting the old soldiers of the empire
took place, as usual, at 10 o'clock, but the number of the
old men is diminishing very perceptibly, and in a few
years more all will have gone to rest. Those who
attended yesterday went afterwards to the Hotel des
Invalides where Divine service was performed in
;he chapel. Their Majesties, being at St. Cloud,
were waited on there by the princes and princesses
of the imperial family, the members of the Pricy Council,
ministers, marshals, admirals, and persons belonging to
the imperial households. Divine service took place in the
chapel, the court attending. Somewhat later in the day,
at 1 o'clock, a solemn mass was celebrated in the cathedral
of Notre-Dame, in present* of deputations from the
Senate, Council of State, and Legislative Body, the civil
and military authorities, and a crowded congregation.

At the same hour the various theatres of Paris opened
their doors to the public with gratuitous representations•
As there was no charge and the very best pieces were
given, the crowd anxious to witness the perforinanos was
enormous. At the principal houses the doors were be-
seiged from the earliest dawn, and at all, the number col-
lected far exceeded the accommodation offered. The rush
to get in was terrific ; hut once settled down into their
places the motley audiences conducted themselves with a
propriety and politeness that could not be surpassed.
Grand equestrian performances were likewise given at the
circus in the Champs Elystes, the Hippodrome, and the
new theatre of the Prince Imperial, where likewise was
represented the Jeunesse d'Abd-ri-Kader.
From an early hour crowds thronged the garden of the
Tuileries, the Place de la Concorde, and the Champ,
ElysOes, in all which places preparations for the illumina-
tions were going on with great activity. Round the basin
of the Palace was erected a lofty colonnade, formed of
coloured lamps arranged with consummate taste, the
various pillars being united by festoons of small white
glass cups tilled with some oily preparation which would
have been quite destroyed had rain got mingled with it.
The letter N in gold colour and the Imperial Crown in
crimson appeared on the alternate columns, the under-
ground being green. The four side avenues leading to the
fountain, from the Palace and the other three directions,
were fitted up with long lines of stands bearing lamps
arranged in unison with the style of the circular arcade,
and with the addition of Chinese lanterns of various
colours, orange, pink, blue, red, and green, left free to
move with every breath of wind.
In the Place de la Concorde the style of the ornsmenta-
tion was altogether different, as there everything was to
be lit up with gas at night, and consequently the globes
were larger and all of ground glass. Long drooping lines
of them in white end crimson—five of the former to one
of the latter—ran round the place in every direction, in-
termingling their curves in most admired confusion. The
summits of the bronze mistral pillars were crowned with

clusters of a like description, and the figures representing
the principal cities of France were similarly adorned. In
the centre of the Place an ornamental garden with flowers
and shrubs in profusion was formed round the obelisk and
round an Egyptian palace with lofty colonnades painted
with hieroglyphics to match the monolith in the centre.
The whole of the erection was encompassed with gas-
pipes, which would give at night upwards of 50,000 jets of
flame. Clusters of white and crimson globes were placed
on pillars below, and long lines of the same round the
edifice at various distances.

It was there that, as usual, took place the popular
amusements of the day, but with some modification. Four
out-of-door theatres were erected, as on other occasions,
two for military pantomimes, and two for tumbling, rope-
dancing, and feats of strength and activity, but the shows
and tents which in former years were ranged in triple
line along the Quai d'Ormy were on the present occasion
removed to the Place Vauban and along the Boulevard de

Latour-Maubourg, fears being entertained that the fuses of
the fireworks might cause some accidents by falling on those
canvas or wooden constructions, and so cause serious damage
to the owners. Four climbing poles were provided with
the accustomed prizes to tempt the aspiring to ascend,
each lofty piece of timber having a gold watch, silver fork
and spoon, silver drinking-cup, and meerschaum pipe
placed at the summit. According as each successful com-
petitor reached the top, an article disappeared, until
about 3 o'clock all were gone. Then, whoever could suc-
ceed in bringing down the flag from the highest point of
all obtained the sum of 25fr. The pantomimes were re-
garded with untiring attention, the subjects being the
struggles of the French against the Mexicans ; these
last being of course always worsted with immense logs.
The shows were of the same description as are seen in all
popular festivals, and did • thriving business all day long.
In fact, we never beheld greater crowds at any Pio in
Paris ' • and the consequence was that some very dangerous
11
scenes took plus., about half-part 3 and afterwards, on the
Pont de la Concorde. The two currents of promenaders
meeting got wedged together, and a frightful crush en-
sued. Dresses were torn, hats lost, families separated,
women injured, and the confusion was terrific. When, at
last, the bridge was traversed each person could not hut
feel grateful that the danger was past ; but we under-
stand that the scene was more than once repeated during
the afternoon, and the rumour even prevailed that several
persons had tillen victims to the serious injuries received.
At 6 o'clock another salvo of artillery from the Invalides
announced that the day fete had come to a termination.
As dusk approached, the multitude again began to pour
forth, and all directed their footsteps towards the Tuileries
and the Champs Elyse... At about 8 the greater part of
the lighting op was completed, and the spectator could
then appreciate the beauties of the different systems em-
ployed. The lofty colonnade round the fountain opposite
the palace now blazed forth like • mass of the richest
jewellery. The centre range all round seemed composed
of sparkling emerald., whilst the other parts resembled
rubies and topazes. The air was no longer entirely
still, for the night breeze had risen, and as it gently
passed across the ignited arcade, it moved the
seeming gems, and brought oat more vividly their fire and
brilliancy. The coup-d'eeil was charming, and as you ap-
proached the basin you need no longer look around, for
the whole scene was reflected before you brightly in the
water. All down the long walk the same beautiful erns•
mentation was produced; and inside, among the trees,
similar masses of the most glowing ookeirs were to be
everywhere seen. On the Place de la Concorde, the style
of illumination wm altogether different. gas supplying the
light in various forms. The most striking oh** was the
artificial construction round the Obelisk, bright
with long lines of white and crimson globes, and
glowing with immense suns above glittering like diamond&
In the early part of the evening, when the ordinary light
only was used, the vast cataract of foaming water, pouring
down, appeared like masses of the purest mow ; but attar.
wards, when the electric light was playing UMW the
square on the fountains, the whole seemed like a easeade
of molten silver. The long avenue of Champs 112yetes was
adorned at each side with an unbroken line of white lamps,
relieved at set distances by shiners of red globes, Iseidise
like shining carbuncles.
Conspicuous on the same side of the river were the pyre