The Sun.
London, England, 1867-05-18 00:00:00

Miscellaneous Foreign New 3.

(From Correspondents of the Anglo-American Times.)
PARIS, May 14.
A few sittings of the London Conference sufficed
for the settlement of the Luxembourg question in a
manner which will not admit of its revival or
further endanger the tranquillity of Europe. The
Duchy, delivered from all connection with Ger-
many, is to remain a part of the dominion of the
King of Holland, guaranteed by the great Powers.
Its fortress is to be evacuated by the Prussians and
razed in four weeks from the signing of the treaty.
No troops are to be kept there, except those neces-
sary for the maintenance of order. Such is the
verdict of the Conference, and such the treaty pro-
claimed with unmistakable evidences of satisfaction
in the principal Courts of Europe as the greatest
triumph of modern diplomacy.
The nature of the guarantee given by the con-
tracting Powers is not supposed to be such as to
impose upon any one of them the duty of interfer-
ing single-handed, or in such a way as to involve it
in dangerous complications, but simply a collective
moral obligation which answers every purpose, since
neither France nor Prussia would dare disregard it.
Peace was the great end sought by the Conference,
and this it has accomplished, when war seemed im-
minent and almost unavoidable. Confidence is re-
established,and the stock markets,those political baro-
meters which are ever first to indicate the condition
of national horizons, are once again buoyant, with
promise of a peaceful future. The Senate and
Corps Legislatif were assembled yesterday to re-
ceive a communication from the Government,
stating the happy conclusion of the Conference-, the
stipulations of the treaty, and the new gages for the
consolidation of good relations with neighbouring
Powers, and for the preservation of the peace of
Europe. Nearly
all the Deputies were at their
places, and a considerable number of foreign
princes and ambassadors were present during the
interesting session. Let us hope that we may have
no more national quarrels to record, and that the
blessings of peace may continue long and uninter-
ruptedly. Let nation contend against nation, not
in bloody strife, but in great international exposi-
tions of products like that now covering with its
gigantic proportions the Champ de Mars, display-
ing the progress of agriculture, commerce, art, and
science, and teaching mankind to forget war'and
live in brotherly love.

Fashion has had its votaries in every age, and
many are the follies and absurdities which a com-
pliance therewith has originated on the part of
Eve's daughters. The human form and face have
been subjected to every kind of transformation that
female ingenuity could suggest, to follow the de-
cree of the all-powerful goddess. The " lords of
creation" have, time and again protested, but in vain.
Fashion has proved triumphant, and they have been
compelled to reconcile themselves as best they could to
its imperious sway. Time and custom have in
turn taught us to regard as necessaries of female
toilette, false hair, powder, rouge, pencilling of eye-
brows and eyelids, lip colouring, and a variety of
little touchings-up, which, after all, did not too much
disfigure the visage of those in need of such addi-
ssodeofeesni rtleea
transparent, p
addi-
tions to beauty. We have submitted to crinoline
and trails, flounced and ruffles, to bonnets huge and
bonnets small, bonnets round and bonnets flat, to
robes high-necked and robes low-necked, to curls
and waterfalls, and even to " fronts " and mollets,
with heroic patience ; but if ever there was a time
when forbearance should cease to be a virtue, surely
that time has arrived, with the introduction of
as commodities required in
a woman concealing auri-
cles, new modes which .are threatening us with
popularity. Imagine the introduction of artificial
shams of form, colour,
possessing earscw eo sm, ainntstotahi consideredllele toilet.
market,
eal aFrrrkeaggeneutc,iyraeodd unsightly,
hair for the purpose of wearing these appendages,
&c., and yaopupecaarn
handsome
etois weahartryeinxgtentmatnhye
to appear
of fashion in Europe. I have
so delicately turned, and so
air of these artificial organs, so fine,
rosy, that I felt tempted to pardon the frailty
of those who, anxious to conceal ears of inharmo-
nious proportion, resolve on adopting the imitation
faultswi
without
0 theut compromising its har-
mony. However absurd it may seem at present, I
would not be surprised, ere long, to see a total real, and call art in to
tthoecaoirrdeoc h
ft te
nature
dis-
appearance, from view, of over-large organs of
hearing, and a substitution of this more graceful
modern invention. . .

What would be the consternation of an unsus-
pecting victim of matrimony to discover on his
toilet-table, the morning after the marriage vows
had been spoken, among a profusion of powder,
paints, false hair, &c., a pair of tiny ears that he
had before admired as nature's gift to the wearer ?
Really 'tis enough to make " old fellows" persist
in celibacy, or else demand a thorough examination
before the bargain is concluded.

Another freak of fashion has been signalled in
Parisian society, and promises soon to be
quite Inc
rage. Instead of cosmetics, heretofore used for the
purpose of giving a snowy whiteness or a delicate
tinge of carmine to the skin, those favourite rose
and lily colours patronised alike by Catherine de
Medicis and Hinon de- Senclos, the Parisian women
are now employing a decoction of chicory roots for
browning the complexion. This preparation, when
carefully distilled and hermetically sealed, produces
marvellous effects in morning ablutions. However
pale one may be, the employment of this cosmetic
will produce any shade of brown desired. The
blondes have had their day, and the brunettes are
having theirs with a
vengeance. If any one doubts
the prevalence of this skin blacking fashion, he has
only to go to the Bois de Boulogne, the Champs
Ply secs, Champ de Mars, or any of the great
promenades, to encounter such a number of these
bronzed faces as to make him imagine an invasion
of the capital by Peruvian or Mexican women.
'Tis not alone the fancy fair ones
taken
this mania for browning, but the ladies du grande
monde also. who have t

I trust I may be pardoned
from my usual routine of Parisian gossip to speak
of a few matters and things outside of this kingdom
Austria, as King
of fashion and folly. a slight digression
The coronation of Francis Joseph, Emperor of
of Hungary, comes off to-morrow,
and in anticipation of the event the papers are re-
viving interesting souvenirs of the singular cere-
monies observed on that occasion. The customs
which "from time immemorial" have given to this
coronation a certain charm of int:rest and pictu-
resque grandeur are still retained and scrupulously
respected. I gather some details of them from a
French paper. In the church a dialogue
between the prelates, in which the Archbishop ad-
dresses the following allocution to the Primate :
" Our holy foster-mother, the Catholic Church,
demands that you elevate the august (here follows
the name of the King) here present to the dignity of
King of Hungary." The Primate replies, "Do
you know if he merits that dignity, and if he
is capable of fulfilling well the duties appertaining
to it?" The Archbishop answers, "We know it
and believe it."

An original peculiarity terminates the civil and
public ceremony. The King, at the head of the
cortege in movement, mounts in a gallop the coro-
nation hillock, an artificial elevation, which, accord-

NG, MAY 18, 1867.

ing to a Hungarian tradition, must be composed of
earth from the different quarters of the kingdom.
He then takes the oath of fidelity, scatters a quan-
tity of gold coin among the populace, draws his
sword, and turning his horse rapidly, he brandishes
it successively towards the four cardinal points in
describing a cross, symbolical of his determination
to protect his kingdom against all attacks from
whatever quarter they may come. The horse is
shod with golden shoes, which heloses on the hillock,
and which then become the property of the crowd.
A circular has been addressed to the parish autho-
rities throughout the kingdom directing them to
send forward, before the 15th of May, a cubic foot
of earth for the erection of the royal hillock.
Many important discoveries are being still made
in the Pon-Teflon exhumations. A few days ago a
vase full of, water was taken out of some ruins. This
water, on being analysed by a celebrated chemist,
was found to contain the same quantity of oxygen
and hydrogen as that which now runs from the
fountains. This fact, connected with others during
the exhumation, leaves no doubt that this water
has remained in the vase in a state of perfect pre-
servation since the reign of Titus. Similar disco-
veries have been made before. In 1862 a fountai❑
was dug up in the court of a house which at the
time of the eruption had its cock closed. On open-
ing the cock several drops of water came out, and
the vase below was found to contain what had
fallen into it centuries before.

No wine had been found in the ruing of Pompeii
up to a short time ago. A recent discovery was
made of a glass urn containing three or four fingers
of wine in its bottom, not liquid, but in a gelatinous
state. This wine is undergoing an analysis, and it
is thought that we shall soon know the nature and
qualities of the wines which were served upon the
tables of the Roman patricians.
Accompanied by the general-in-chief of the army
of Egypt, the Emperor reviewed tho Egyptian bat-
talion last Thursday in the court of the Tuileries.
This battalion is composed entirely of Nubians and
Abyssinians, with skins of ebony blackness. It re-
mained five years in Mexico, and did most excellent
service in that tropical climate. His Majesty the
Emperor addressed his congratulations to the com-
mandant of the battalion upon the efficiency of his
troops, and distributed with his own hands recom-
pences to several who had received honourable
wounds while fighting for France. While on duty
these soldiers possess a perfect immobility and a very
soldier-like bearing. Their manual of arms is
peculiar, and all of their movements are exerted
with astonishing rapidity. On the bayonet charge
I imagine they would prove terrible to an enemy.
Pleasure trains from the provinces are arriving
continually in Paris with their loads of visitors to
the Exhibition. They seem to leave their homes by
caravans or associations, and come well prepared
with provisions, &c., and live independently and
cheaply. Strange to say, the women predominate
in the numbers arriving up to this time. The King
and Queen of the Belgians, Prince of Wales, and
Russian notabilities have arrived in the city. Pre-
parations are being made at the Palais de l'Elyscie
for the reception of the Emperor of Russia and his
suite, who are expected about the Ist of next month.
Ismail Pacha, Viceroy of Egypt, will arrive next
week. - Victor Emmanuel, the King of Prussia, the
King of Sweden, and Kossuth are looked for shortly.
Curiosity to see " those that govern in the mood
potential" will have fine opportunities of being
gratified by those who remain in Paris during the
Exposition.
A ball of extraordinary magnificence is to take
place at the Austrian Embassy in Paris on the 28th
inst. It is said that the cost of lighting, decorations,
supper, &c., will be 100,000 francs.
The receptions of General Dix have been re-
newed again for the month of May, commencing
Saturday night last. The attendance was large,
and the receptions will no doubt be as brilliant and
delightful as those that were held before Lent.
Bishop Stevens, of Pennsylvania, sailed in the
.Arago, for New York, on Wednesday last; also
Mr. A. W. Greenleaf, head of the popular and
wealthy house of Greenleaf, Norris, and Co., left
for home in the same steamer. Mr. Greenleaf has
been in Europe for a year, and his departure will
be greatly regretted by his numerous friends.

The weather this week in Paris has been miser-
able. The streets and boulevards have been so wet
that out-door amusement has not been indulged in.
There is to be a reception on Friday night, the
17th, at the residence of Colonel C. B. Norton.
It is in honour of the United States Commissioners
to the Exhibition, now in Paris, and will no doubt
be a brilliant affair.

The American restaurant at the Exposition is
now completed, and on the way to amass a fortune.
Is is flocked to by crowds from every nation, and
the coloured waiters and dinners, a la mode Ameri-
cain, remind one of " Home, sweet home."

The soda-water fountain in connection with the
restaurant attracts the largest crowds, and the
French are the best customers, drinking the delicious
beverage with a relish which proves their enjoyment
of the " sweets of life."

In driving on the Boulevards of an afternoon a
very familiar feature of America is to be seen occa-
sionally in the shape of light " buggies ;" and, com-
pared with the heavy vehicles driven in Europe,
they present a very fragile appearance. Mr. Roast,
who has imported these buggies, receives liberal
patronage from Americans, who admire this delight-
ful and easy style of driving more than any other.
Many of the walls of houses, fences, &c., in Paris
are being ornamented with flaming placards repre-
senting the wonders to be seen at the " American
Circus." They universally attract large crowds of
the curious and the idle, who never tire of gazing,
and seem to think the placards as good as the show
itself, to judge from their open-mouthed wonder.

It is related of Crates, the Theban, that being a
man of great wealth, and desirous to go to Athens
to study philosophy, he sold all he had, lest his
riches should divert him and call him home, and,
having got all his money together, he threw it into
the sea, saying, "Get you gone to the bottom of
the ocean ; I will drown you now lest you should
one day do the same by me."

This opening to my correspondence must take all
the readers of the Franco and Anglo American
7 imes by -surprise, and the following thoughts may
arise, " Whoever would be such an idiot as this
Crates ? What could he have looked like? A pity
he did not leave his portrait to this age of photo-
graphy ! Why couldn't he drown himself first, and
leave all his riches to•get on swimmingly by them-
selves ?" The fact is, I cannot apologise for the
philosopher's conduct ; I can only suppose he bad an
idea of his own that the more a man possesses the
less the intellect he enjoys, and that feeling it a
duty to cultivate the latter, he preferred sacrificing
his wealth instead of tying it up neatly in a pocket-
handkerchief, and leaving it by the sea-shore for a
spendthrift who might chance to pass by. I should
never have alluded to his existence at all if I had
not found myself in the position of Crates myself
when I put my pen on paper but a moment ago.
Paris (now modern Athens) is the new school
for teaching young men all to turn old and bald
before they are twenty-one, and the corners who
crowd hither are bound to become philosophical for
more reasons than one ere they leave this capital.
If any attempt treatises on what they acquire they
must drown more than half the suggestions which
press forward.

A female Crates may be painfully sensational,
but that such a mythological biped does exist will
appear from the following items which she reck-
lessly casts into the ocean of oblivion for the sake
of speculation. The first throw immerses Luxem-
burg in the bottom of the deep, though a few stray
splinters, with the words " London Conference,"
"Peace," written on them float, about a long while
on the surface, as if they did not desire to be for-
gotten ; but they sink, too, at last, and will doubt-
less slip out of mind. The second throw is
not a fling at any one, be it understood,
but it so happens that all the kings, queens, and
princes, now banqueting and gathering in concord,
have to be disposed of ; the Tycoon of Japan, and
peacocks' feathers carved in whalebone all down his
back, as also his wooden shoes worn on state occa-
sions, do certainly look demonstrative, but his bet-
ters go before him, aad the most respectful thing a
celestial prince can do is to follow.
Gounod's " Romeo and Juliet," the Duchese of

Gerolstein, Victor Hernani, the Prussian cannon,
the Academie Francaise, all these immense suc-
cesses, which we may not call enormities, have
to swim ; some of Punch's and Cham's carica-
tures get twisted round the ocean cable, among
whole bales of bad books, which will not cross
the Atlantic, but Punch and Chain ever do
get out of difficulties. Punch rises first, then
Chain peeps up, and both fraternally struggle
for a top wave, which eventually opens, disclosing
all the royal company beneath. Punch, who at the
end is victorious, looks down, and considers that
there being no more crowned heads to work upon,
hi 3 work is done, nobly dives, and is heard of no
more.

Many other things are next violentlyhurled forwards
among which the ministering priestesses of Mabille,
the Chateau des Fleurs, and other temples dedicated
to a very wandering Venus. Though they cling
frantically wherever they find hold, most give up
much useless effort, and leave nothing but a very
muddy, troubled-looking surface behind them. All
this drowning was necessary before spun cotton
could have a clear hearing ; and now that it can do
so the following is the state of that interesting ar-
ticle at the Exposition :—lt is found in the 4th
Group, Class 27, and is made into white or coloured
sewing cotton used for embroidery, hosiery, and
gimp.

The finest specimens in the English section are
from Paisley and Huddersfield. A remarkable
feature in this department is Prince Albert's monu-
ment, built up with reels of cotton in a high glass
case. It is a perfect reduction of the commemo-
rative edifice raised by the Queen dedicated to her
departed husband. In the French section the
finest sewing cotton is marked D.M.C. Among
the cotton tissues we have calico, twill, muslin,
cambric, tarlatan, organdi, worked and bro-
caded gauze, or muslin. The centre of heavy
tissues in France is Mulhouse, especially for
printed cottons, the finest exhibited are cashmere
patterns and the feather on white twill.

In the English section a very splendid display of
cotton velvets from Manchester attracts every eye ;
as also the calicoes, which look like silk when they
have undergone what is denominated the Alacian
finish. They are washed from madder dye ; after
which they stand both boiling and scrubbing.
The embroidered muslins from St. Guentin in the
north of France are perfection. The cotton now
employed on the continent comes principally from
India, China, Egypt, and Brazil ; but until 1864
America alone supplied the French market with
700,000,000 kilos. yearly.

BRUSSELS, May 15.

I see you noticed the late inaugural ceremony of
the Belgian Public Works in a leading article. The
improvements will confer a great benefit on Brus-
sels, whatever may be the results to the English
capitalists. I can see no reason why it should no t
pay them, considering the large sums obtained from
Belgium, the heaviest part:of course falling on this
beautiful city. The London Stock Exchange is no
criterion of real values. Men say it is, on the prin-
ciple that an article is worth only what it will fetch.
How is it that one ma❑ can sell a thing at a high
price, while another man fails in selling the same
quality, at a low price, at the same time and place.
If the article be worth the high price it is worth
more than the low price, and if only the low price
it is not worth the high ; but it has been sold at
the same time and place at both these prices, and
therefore the theory must be wrong. Just as wrong,
as it will be shown, by savages in the interior of
Africa and Australia, by whom a coloured bead
would be taken in preference to the Koh-i-noor.
After all, everything is but a bauble, dependent on
fashion, and the necessities of the moment for
its value, as witness the Tulip mania, when solid
firms bid against each other, and traded in what
was commercially rubbish. The sailor who, mis-
taking the precious bulb for an onion, eat it—
thereby swallowing a rarity more precious than
Cleopatra's pearl, ought to have aroused the owner
to the real folly, if anything can awaken men to a
sense of what idiots they are. Your correspondent
is stopping at the Hotel de l'Europe, and he has had,
therefore, the honour of being under the same roof
as the Duke of Edinburgh, which he wishes to
record as a true American Republican. This is a
charming hotel. The accommodation good, the
tone quiet, and the charges moderate. Mr. Mid-
dleton, who is a great favourite among his American
guests, is a lover of the Fine Arts. In this old city
there are many gems unknown to the general
tourist. The old churches and museums contain
some beautiful paintings by the earliest Flemish
masters. Our landlord is himself a collector, and
he has some very rare works of the old Flemish
and Dutch school, which afford amateurs an oppor-
tunity of studying the merits of these exquisite
paintings. "Harper's Hand-book" is the guide for
most of us, and as usual leads, or rather mis-leads,
travellers to crowd a single establishment where
they are charged exorbitantly, meet with little at-
tention, and go away dissatisfied, declaring there is
nothing to see and little to get except big bills.
This is the usual result of a great run on a single
establishment, and it is my object in these remarks
to point out to those fond of the fine arts, and who
desire leisurely and to advantage to see this old
historic city, to secure their accommodation at this
hotel. A crush here would probably in time have
the same effect as that I condemn. But if Ameri-
can tourists distributed themselves more generally
over the town, instead of crowding into one esta-
blishment, they would meet with more attention,
superior accommodation, and be better able to pass
their time to advantage. In compliance with your
request I have extracted from our landlord's book
the recent American arrivals, and I have added to
the list a few of the more celebrated European
visitors.

One of the most severe storms Of the season oc-
curred at Frankfort-on-the-Maine on Monday night
last. The rain filled the streets in places up to the
hubs of the axletrees of the waggons, rendering it
almost impossible to pass through the streets. The
storm was attendel with some lightning. Between
Frankfort and Nanheim the storm stopped a trai❑
on the Maine, Weser, R.R., and another train run
into it and did much damage.