The Sun.
London, England, 1867-07-29 00:00:00

Miscellaneous Foreign News.

(From Correvowlents of the Anglo-American Times.)
PARIS, July 25.
The ancient mythology opens up so large a field
of illustration and comparison that one is frequently
tempted to draw upon its stores, at the risk of being
considered pedantic. As fast as Ilercules cut off
the heads of the hydra, a number of others sprung
up in its place, and in like manner, though the Tzar
ha.s gone back to his icebound territories, and the
fez of the True Believer no longer enlivens the Rue
Faubourg St. llonor6, nor flutters the hearts of its
fair inhabitants, a myriad other attractions supply

their place. The evening of Sunday last was so

tempting in its refreshing coolness and beauty after
the burning heat and dust of the day that I strolled
out beyond the Barrier of Clichy with the view of
reaching the Seine at a point where it leaves behind
the hum of the mighty city, and wanders away plea-

sintly into the green fields and vineyards beyond.
Long ere I reached the river-side, however, I found
myself borne on in the midst of a continuous stream
of people to what, think you, reader ? A village

fete, not, however, one of the rural fetes of tho
olden time, rejoicing in sheperdesses and blue rib-
bons, but the Fete Patronale of Clichy. The dis-
trict of Clichy, like many of the districts of London,
has extended far beyond its original limits, and thus
presents in one the attractions of both town and
country. The palmy days of Greenwich fete or Fair,
as well as those of nearly all such similar institutions
in England, have taken boots to themselves, and
their attractions have fallen into the sere and yellow
leaf. Not so, however, in France, where the muni-
cipal and other authorities mix up with and aid in the
entertainment, the inhabitants of the district being
requested in the bills of the fete published by the
Mayor to do everything in their power to further
the affair, even to decorati❑g their houses with
the never-failing (lrapeau of France ; and in
consequence, such spectacles, instead of gradually
falling into decay, have reached a greater pitch of
splendour and prosperity than ever—the various ac-

cessories of the decorations, illuminations, feu d'ar-

ti lice, the splendid tent of the Ville de Paris ar-

ranged for a gigantic ball (the profits to be directed
towards the support of the poor of the district),
cou-pled with the duration of the fete—which lasts
upwards of a fortnight induce the presence

of a better class of tralesme❑ and exhibitors.

The ingenuity and taste of the French cha-
racter, redeem these fetes or fairs from the low
character which has crept on them in England. As
I have said, the little town of Clichy, though still
beyond the barriers of Paris, has gradually become
one of its suburbs, the Grand Rae of the Batignolles
extending to it in a right line, which immediately
after forms the broad road leading into the open
country beyond. In speaking of the barriers of
Paris, the reader must know that there is what
is termed a barrier on each side of the city
made by iron gates erected across the main
roads uniting the ancient fortifications and now
empty moat which still surrounds its walls. These
barriers are guarded by the Customs' officers, who
levy a duty ou all articles of a certain class coming
into or going out of Paris. Here also a rigorous search
takes place of all vehicles, a process interfering
considerably with traffic and public comfort, for
even a private cab is examined as scrupulously by
the officers as a vehicle adapted for trade purposes.
But to resume. For more than half a mile after
passing the barrier, the distance between it and the
square, or grande place of the town, the visitor
walked under what appeared to be a ccntinued
arch of fire, an effect produced by a countless
number of illuminated lamps suspended in arch-
shaped festoons to two poles erected on either side
of the road, a large cluster of lamps hanging also
from the apex, the poles decorated with escutcheons,
bearing the initials of the Emperor and a number
of tricolored banners ; the whole of these
decorations„ as well as the tent of the Vile de
Paris, being the property of the authorities, and
erected at their expense. Oa each side of the
road, or rather boulevard, extended a long row of
tiara Ties, or covered woo len stalls, fitted up with

circular nz,volving, in ino3t. in3tanet.‘s,

with porcelain, Bohemian glass, packets of I);jon
bonbons, huge heaps of irtin trepice, :mil the
never-failing live rabbit, aJorned with its re ,1
ribbon, which oftener than anything else
forms one of the principal prizes of such

exhibitions. The adventurer who tries his fortune
administers an impetus to the table on something
like the spirit-rapping principle, and when it stops
his hopes of anything like a valuable prize generally
stops too. One of these baraques, however, was
fitted up in a grand scale, the prizes consisting of
Sevres porcelain ; the affair was conducted upon
the lottery principle, a number of cards, each con-
taining three rows of figures, being handed to each
speculator, and a machine composed of three large
ornamented wheels, being set in motion by the pro-
prietor; the person on whose card was found con-
secutively the three numbers indicated by the
machine in question became the fortunate possessor
of the prize, whatever that might happen to be.
Another stall was devoted entirely to the produc-
tion and sale of the cake so renowned in France,
the palette, the cakes being made on the spot, and
baked in two enormous black-looking machines,
having the appearance of shipwrecked steam en-
gines, whilst in a third the process of making the
bonbon was exhibited in a similar manner. The Tir,
also, was extensively patronised, not, however,
practised as in England, by means, of iron funnels,
fitted with a circular target at the extremity, but
on a far more varied and extensive scale, with busts
of the youthful hero of Austrian brutality, his eyes
bandaged, and a very diminutive stone apple on his
head, with revolving pipes ; and, above all, with a
wooden mark elevated on the top of a high pole,
between two lighted lanterns, something like
the ancient Scottish popinjay, and so constructed
as when struck to discharge a small rocket.
A host of small swindles filled up the interstices
of the booths. One interesting gentleman attired
in a Prussian uniform, and armed with c. long jockey
whip, particularly attracted my attention. This
hero was exhausting his natural eloquence in en-
deavouring to persuade the bystanders of the facility
with which it was possible to remove from a basin
by means of the whip in question a candlestick with
a halfpenny fixed on the top; his influence, how-
ever, did not appear greatly to influence the crowd,
where ears like those of the crew of Ulysses seemed
to have been fortified against his sirenic seduc-
tions. A little further on, and I arrived at the
public square, which was tenanted by a considerable
number of exhibitors of every description, in the
middle of which were two immense swings. The
reader will probably smile when I speak of swings,
hut as it is more than probable that he never saw
mechanism so curious and powerful as that exhi-
bited at the fete of Clichy, I will venture a short
description. Fancy somethiro, like a royal tent
decorated with crimson hangings and panelled
mirrors, the effect increased by a large number of
Chinese paper lanterns placed in the middle of a
circular squadron of wooden horses five abreast, the
whole revolving to the sound of music concealed, as
well as the machinery, beneath the hangings of the
tent, and giving the beholder the ilea of an Indian
army escorting the palanquin of some native prince
or rajah. The other, though of quite a different
character, was equally curious as regarded its
mechanism, being compose 1 of a series of gigan-
tic iron wheels arranged with great apparent
lightn-235, between. which revolved with extraor-
dinary rapidity some eight open carriages. An idea
may be formed of the height of this structure when
I mention that it required a very long ladder to
ascend to a small platform placed by each nave of
the wheel for the purpose of working the machine. y.
There was also the Prince Colibri, the smallest
female dwarf in the world, who had had the honour
of being served up in a pie, like the celebrated
Geoffrey Hudson of old before the King of the Bel-
gians. There was also—but I am exceeding my
limits on one especial subject, and therefore 1 shall
not pause to describe either the very curious mecha-
nical exhibition of all the variou3 fabrications of
Valenciennes, or the various and manifold spec-
tacles, waxwork, &c., even down to that which
appeared to
P°3Bess great attractions for the fair
sex, and which was _
no less than the exhibition of
five twin children, w
ofhose parents had selected this
improving method
indemnifying themselves for

their previous family disadvantages. Neither shall
I speak of the magnificent Feu d' Artifice which,
under the direction of the Emperor's special pyro-
technist, wound up the amusements. I shall only
say that fetes of this nature are of constant and
weekly occurrence in the vicinity of Paris, at such
places as St. Cloud, Versailles, Fontainebleau, and
Manly ; and each of which, in addition to the at-
tractions of au open air fete, possesses some in-
trinsic and special claim to the notice of the
visitor.

.he Freemasons of Scotland at present in Paris

have opened a lodge of instruction upon an inter-
national principle, to last from the 22d to the 28th.
No doubt numbers of foreign brethren will eagerly
avail themselves of the opportunity afforded them.
An accident occurred the other day in the Vosges,
singularly illustrative of the anomalous state of re-
ligious opinions in the Departments of France. On
the occsion of the Fete Dieu a small scaffolding had
been erected for the representation of an allegory
resembling the miracle plays of the middle ages,
viz., the temptation and expulsion from Paradise of
our first parents, even the Deity being profanely
personified on the occasion. On the sentence of
expulsion being pronounced, Adam and Eve set up
a loud cry, which, though duly forming part of the
programme, was unfortunately misunderstood by thy
surrounding crowd, who believing that some acci-
dent had occurred, precipitated themselves in a body
upon the stage, which, as the carpenters had not
anticipated such a demonstration, gave way, and
Adam and Eve were precipitated amidst their de-
scendants with such force as to cost the former
another rib, mother Eve escaping with sundry severe
contusions. Were not such scenes of frequent oc-
currence, one could scarcely believe in such retro-
grade progress in the nineteenth century, and side
by side with the Universal Exposition.
An amusing illustration of the pettiness of some
of the German Principalities was afforded the other
day in the case of the Prince of Bukebourg, who
finding that the war-tax levied for an increase of
his lilliputian army was insufficient coolly dis-
banded his entire force, and putting the money in
his pocket devoted it to a tour in Switzerland, a
summary, though not altogether unpleasant, method
of dealing with national finances, and calculated to
lighten considerably the duties of a Chancellor of
the Exchequer.

On Sanday last not only the Palais d'lndustrie,
but every available access and avenue, were
crowded to overflowing on the occasion of the
Concours International des Museques Milit.►ires,
who have come to Paris at a considerable expense,
under the command of general officers, the Cheva-
liers of the Russian Guard in especial having ex-
pended on their voyage the sum of 15,000 francs.
The jury, under the Presidency of General Melliuct,
were stationed in the front row of the spectators.
It is unnece,:sary to speak of the exquisite character
of such a musical performance, and the jury found

it so difficult to decide that they preferred rather to
increase the number of prizes, which were given in
the following order :—First, Grand prizes of 5,000
francs—Regiment of the Dake of Wurtemberg
(Austria), Zimmerman ; Gar.le Royale and Grena-
diers of the Guard (Russia), Wieforecht ; Garde de
Paris (France), Paulus. Second, Grand prize of

3,000 francs—Chevaliers Gardes Russes (Rusiia),
Doarfeld ; Ist Regiment Royal Infantry (Bavaria),
Sirbenkaes; Guides de la Garde Imperiale (France),
Creponois. Third, Grand prize of 2,000 francs—
Grenadiers of the Guard (Grand Duchy of Baden),
Barg ; Grenadiers et Chasseurs (Pays Bas) Dunken.
Fourth, Grand prize of 1,000 francs—lst Regiment
du Genie (Spain), Mamio ; Grenadiers (Belgium),
Bender. The Chevaliers of the Russian Guard
went through their performance drawn up in regi-
mental order, and the magnificent uniform of the
Guide 3 was greatly admired.
The friends of Voltaire are using incredible exer-

ions in getting up a subscription for a statue in

honour of that departed genius, whether, however,
the erection, after the opp3sition it has called forth,
will prove a real service or otherwise to hi; memory,
time will show. A line in one of the satires of Juvenal
commencing with an if, would, in my opinion, be

singularly applicable on the occasion.
The visit of the Emperor of Austria is spoken of
as likely to take place daring the last week in

August.
The Viceroy of Egypt, wh) appears one of the
most practical of the Princes who have visited
Paris, has remitted to the Prefect of the Seine the
sum of 20,000 francs for the poor of the various
arrondissements, and an additional sum of 25,000
francs for the foundation of a Bourse at the College
Chaptal, whilst the Sultan has forwarded to the
Prefect and to M. Dumas, President of the Muni-
cipal Commission, the Grand Cordon of ()mania.
The French journals state that the small Ger-
man States fallen under the power of Prussia feel
heavily the change of Government, especially in
the shape of imposts, and find they have gotten
King Stork instead of King Log. A bruit circu-
lated the other day that a fresh disagreement was
likely to arise between France and Prussia, relative
to the interpretation of an article of the Treaty of
Prague.
The Prussian papers, however, continue to vaunt
the perfect understanding existing between the two
countries. The various deputations from the military
bands, who competed the other day at the Palace of
Industry, are occupied in giving concerts in Paris,
previous to their departure, probably by way of in-
demnifying themselves for the considerable expenses
they have incurred on the occasions of their visit.
The Parisians are enthusiastic admirers of martial
music, and the rare opportunity thus afforded to
strangers will also contribute to the producing a
full attendance. A concert is announced by the
Grenadiers of the Grand Duchy of Baden for the
benefit of the town of Paris.

Whatever may be the beneficial results of so
mach "international contours" to industry and
commerce, those who follow the progress of the Ex-
position from day to day cannot fail to observe
that international urbanity, with goodwill among
exhibitors, and towards one's fellow - creatures
generally, are by no means receiving a humanising
impetus.
Complaints of rude treatment and ill-feeling are
daily published in the papers. They are either
made by provincial visitors, who coolly ask the
nation for redress, as if the nation were not suffi-
ciently troubled with dressing without re-doing
anything of the kind, or by pessimists, who exag-
gerate shortcomings into crimes, whereas they are
simply the consequences of a vast undertaking.
That some very legitimate discontent has arisen
of late in the awarding of medals and levies of
money at entrances where free passes were expected
is a notorious fact, but not every old lady and um-
brella who " come to an understanding" with a guar-
dian's head because he covers up three minutes
before the closing hour has struck ; not every
stranger who gets sworn at by Bavarian brewers,
nor young men who are turned out of Russia for
political opinions, have a right to fill our columns
with their grievances. What the Imperial Com-
mission should make an object of consideration and
reform is that those who have founded and just
cause for complaint are never listened to in time ;
law suits ensue which might be avoided ; and the
honourable 60 members are inexcusable for returning
no direct answer when asked why they we!come all
solicitors as one woul.l welcome young pugs dash-
ing through a quiet game of nine-pins. The Im-
perial Commission should stenograph a few unbiassed
opinions given in public about their private financial
transactions, the effect of this would be to dispel
their idea of raising a subscription fur the erection
of a monument to themselves, a very fanciful but
totally impracticable theory for the present.
In one of my recent letters I give a description
of the gems and jewellery exhibited at the Champs
de Mars; in this I must not overlook woman's love-
liest ornanament flowers. The fabrication of
artificial flowers may be called artistic ; it is
one of the most interesting of Parisian indus-
tries, and the extent of trade in the article
is about eighteen millions of francs per an-
num ; it is divided into a great many different
branches, and employs fifteen thousand persons.
After the above statistical account now comes the
last commercial communication : three quarters of
the whole amount of artificial flowers made in
France are exported principally to England mid

America. Why should this be? Are the materials
employed in the manufacture of flowers solely of
French production ? Have England and America
no muslin, no cambric, no wire, no places, no
whalebone, no goffering-irons, no stamps ? We
have all these things I am told, but no taste. I had
a strange fancy before this information was given
me that taste was the consequence of observation
and the study of nature, which no race follows to
the same extent as the Saxon, but where that
race is wanting in taste, I see, is in paying duties
for what could be taught and acquired at home.
On the other hand, artificial flowers may be
beneath the notice of England and America, but
French taste yearly proves that 18,000,000 f. are
not unworthy the regard of the nation. But, to
return to the poetical part of my subject, how
much livelier is a wreath of spring blossoms i❑
maidens' fair hair than the false chignons, plaits,
and curls which are now cut from peasant girls' un-
kempt heads, and proudly worn by the most
fastidious daughters of our noblesse. What
depths of oblivion in the hearts of girls
who but a season or two ago made con-
quests (which they were wrong not to secure) with
no other ornament than a rich, full rose; how con-
venient were rosebu Is ; and of all modern lan-
guages, how easy was the language of flowers !
People cannot talk with chignons ; besides, hair is
so dear that every struggling bristle on a bald pate
has to be coaxed into stopping where it has pleased
nature to plant it, however shiny and desolate the
surface. Flowers are forgotten, therefore, but a
visit to the Exposition shows that they are en-
joying the respite and beautifying meanwhile.
There are elegies, idyls, landscapes, all made of
materials used for artificial flowers. In one
stand, the loveliest of all, is a lake on
which float the white lily (nymphea) and yellow
rienephor. Behind is a grotto, overgrown with
trailing ivy. I was unbelieving enough to request
I might be allowed to touch this ivy. The crisp
feeling of texture had even been baffled, and nothing
but sap was wanting. In the shade, at the foot of
the rocky grotto, grew the humble violet, buried in
foliage, the fairest strawberry, and stately blue bell,
while a diaphanous dragon fly was poised on a blade
of long grass. Here, too, was the perfect orna-
mental begonia, ordered by the Duke of Man-
chester, and the magnificent calladlain chosen by
Mr. Archer for botanical studies at the Museum of
Sciences, Edinburgh. I say nothing of the yellow and
purple flags, half concealed by tall sedges, but pass
on to the shower of roses falling down a slope.
They are sent in by the Conatesse de Beaulincourt,
an amateur of artificial roses, and one of the most
aristocratic of the fair dames of France. Profes-
sional flower-makers cannot rival her, though she
teaches indefatigably for the love of art and her
fellow-creatures. Her china tea rose, slightly
blushing with pink ; her damask, which is almost
purple; her yellow nut rose in the bush, are not
surpassed i❑ the world. Every description of rose
is exhibited by her, from the bursting centifolia bud
to the wild briar dog-rose. This is an elegant pas-
time, more satisfactory in its result than those
lame reproductions of nature which some ladies de-
light in, and which they call " sketching" from
nature on tourist albums. The Countess de Beau-
lincourt is a tourist also, but she climbs the rocks
for a wild flower, and sits for hours copying it with
the perseverance of love till she produces one exactly
like her model, lacking nothing but that supreme
breath, the gift of living and dying. Farther on
still the ragged thorn-bush, covered with the fleece
of stray sheep, leads one to dream of the days when
heat subdues nature, and the labourer seeks
for the longest grass he can find by some
welcome stream. Then, behind some glass
stands, we have the morning dew on field
flowers or evening rest among languidly silent
leaves. All this is beautiful, and what spoils the
treat is the knowledge that of the forty flower ex-
hibitors not one had the gold medal, because eleven
competitors would have been clamorous ; therefore
the eleven had silver medals awarded to them, and
all are discontented. Distinctions are considered
worthless where all alike: are distinguiihed.

The arrival of the American fleet at Cherbourg, and the
change of Commanders, has brought a largo number of
American officers to Paris. While all regret the de-
parture of Admiral Goldsborough and his efficient
staff, there is no citizen of the United States but
will feel a thrill of pleasure on learning that we are
to have Admiral Farragut as our representative in
European waters. The Admiral was mot at the railway
by Colonel Norton, the United States Commissioner, and
other resident Americans. The large number of lads
rom the school ship in naval uniform who accompanied
the Admiral added much to the effect. Among the various
receptions and other attentions shown Admiral and Mrs.
Farragut the reception given by Gen. Dix was decidedly
a success. All the prominent Americans in Paris were
invited, and the result was that the spacious apartments of
our Minister were crowded. As representatives of our
country there were present, besides the Admiral and Gen.
Dix, Mr. Nicolay, Consul ; Colonel Hoffman, Secretary of
Legation ; Colonel Hay, Charge d'Affaires to Vienna ; Dr.
Evans, Mr. Beckwith, and Colonel Norton, United States
Commissioners; Senators Doolittle and Morrill, Mr. Basson
of the Post Office Department, Hon. J. M. Brodhead,
Montgomery Gibbs, and T. M. Smith, Esq., Treasury
Department ; Hon. Townsend Harris, Rev. Dr. Lamson ;
Judge Allison and Daniel Dougherty, Esq., of Philadel-
phia; Mrs. Farragut, Mrs. Nicolay, Mrs. Clarke, Madame
Ronald, Madame Zobrowska, the charming bride ; Miss
Thomas, of Washington, Mrs. Norton, Mrs. Dougherty
Mrs. M‘Ginnis, the Misses Beck witt, and many others repro-
senting the better half of creation. All were gratifindlo have
the opportunity of meeting the admiral, and felt indebted
to our minister, who in the absence of the ladies of his
family, could so successfully inaugurate an impromptu re-
ception.

The English chapel, Avenue Marbouf, was crowded with
Americans on the 19th inst., to witness the ceremony
of marriage between the late belle of Paris, Mrs. Hewitt,
and Martin Zobrowska, Esq., of New York. Although the
shock to many hearts held for the past season in suspense
will be very great, yet all, oven her victims, will unite in
best wishes for future health and happiness to the fair
bride. Loaded with flowers and with the rays of sunlight
through the chancel, illumining the scone, Madame
Zobrowska had every favourable omen for her future, and
all present will remember with pleasure the beautiful
scene.

Tho war in Paraguay, which has for nearly throe years
occupied public attention, but particularly of those
interested in American affairs, may be virtually said to be
at an end.

The allies who, as long ago as last September, received
a check at Curupaity, from which, up to the last date, they
could not recover, have, with the greatest sacrifices, tried
to keep the few dearly-bought miles of Paraguayan
ground—Curuyn and Tupiti, but even these few
miles they have latterly been forced to abandon
with a heavy loss. It seems that nature herself
has come to help the bravo Paraguayans. The
rivers Paraguay and Parana, by last accounts, re-
ceived through the French mail via Bordeaux, have risen
to such an extent as to overflow the whole Brazilian en-
campments, forcing them to seek shelter, and to retire to
the Paso de la Patria. The situation of the allies becomes
every day more dangerous. It is impossible for them to
advance, as Marshal Lopez, besides keeping his impreg-
nable position, is well provided, and the allied forces are
not strong enough to venture an attack. They also dare
not retreat for fear of being annihilated. General Palivaro
had arrived at Rio, and placed before his Government a
statement of the critic d state of the army and navy ; and
as it was impossible for the Brazilian Government to raise
a new army by recruiting, it was generally believed that
they would accept the renewed offer of mediation
made by the United States, or be forced to send thirty
or forty thousand slaves to Paraguay to fill the ranks.
This last step, of course, would cost an immense amount of
money, as the Government have to bring them ; but that
they would fight better than the regular troops is nut very
likely.
On the 2d June Congress had been opened at Buenos
Ayres, and the speech of President Mitre was anything
but satisfactory, as every topic of vital interest to the
country was omitted, leaving
the public to jttilgo how
desperate the situation was. General Mitre asked for a
new levy of men from the provinces, and provided Brazil
a
would augment the armynd navy ho would again
take contmind. The expenses brought on by this
war are so enormous that it was feared, as no fresh loan
could be raised in Europe, the Government would issue
new treasury notes, which would materially damage
those existing, now quoted at 56 per cent. Business
at Buenos Ayres, except connected with the war,
was very dull. Winter had set in ye. y strong, with a cold
unknown before, and done a great deal of damage to the
flocks and grazing grounds. Every one was most heartily
sick of this never-ending war, and the opposition to the
existing Government is trying to bring forward as
candidate for the next presidency, only a peace-
maker. At Monte Video things do not look much
bettor. General Flores, it was said, wished to
resign, as he had been publicly accused of having sold by
private treaty the Republic of Uruguay to Brazil, which
now virtually, under the plea of an ally, has possossion of
that fertile country. Several Americans had arrived at
Monte Video and BueLos Ayres from Brazil, after enduring