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

The 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 Fête 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 the
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 Sunday 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 Militaires,
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 Mellinct,
were stationed in the front row of the spectators.
It is unnecessary 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 Duke of Wurtemberg
(Austria), Zimmerman ; Garde Royale and Grena-
diers of the Guard (Russia), Wieforecht ; Garde de
Paris (France), Paulus. Second, Grand prize of
3,000 francs—Chevaliers Gardes Russes (Rus=ia),
Doerfeld ; 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
Guides was greatly admired.
The friends of Voltaire are using incredible exer-
tions in getting up a subscription for a statue in
honour of that departed genius, whether, however,
the erection, after the opposition it has called forth,
will prove a real service or otherwise to his memory,
time will show. A line in one of the satires of Juvenal
commencing with an If, would, in my opinion, be
singularly applicable ou the occasion.

The visit of the Emperor of Austria is spoken of
as likely to take place during the last week in

August.
The Viceroy of Egypt, who 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 Osmania.
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
much " international concours " 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 Avery
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 welcome all
solicitors as one would 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 for 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 fhwers made in
France are exported principally to England and

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 in
maidens' fair hair than the false chignons, plaits,
and curls which are now cut from peasant gir:s' 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 rosebuds ; and of all modern lan-
guages, how easy was the language of flowers !
People cannot talk with chigaons ; 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
runephar. 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 calladium 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 Comtesse 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 in 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 distinguished.

The arrival of the American fleet at Cherbourg, and the
change of Commanders, has brought a large 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 representativein
European waters. The Admiral was met 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 Merrill, Mr. Hasson
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 Zobrowbka, the charming bride ; Miss
Thomas, of Washington, Mrs. Norton, Mrs. Dougherty
Mrs. M‘Ginnis, the Misses Beckwitt, and many others repre-
senting the better half of creation. All were gratified to 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, even 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 scene, Madame
Zobrowska had every favourable omen for her future, and
all present will remember with pleasure the beautiful
scene.

The war in Paraguay, which has for nearly three 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 brave Paraguayans. Tho
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 do la Petrie. 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 critical 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 stop, 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 not very
likely. a
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 judge how
desperate the situation was. General Mitre asked for a
now levy of men from the provinces, and provided Brazil
wculd augment the army and navy he would again
take command. Tho 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 very 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
better. Gen aral Flores, it was said, wished to
resign, as he had been publicly accused of having sold by
private tr( ,aty the Republic of Uruguay to Brazil, which
now vizi! Aally, under the plea of an ally, has possession of
that fextile country. Several Americans had arrived at
AlentO video fi4cl 131101204 Ayres fraa Brazil, after cututig