The Sun.
London, England, 1867-06-03 00:00:00

Miscellaneous Foreign News.

(From the Anylo-American. Times.)
PARIS, May 30.
The cc gay" city, as Paris is usually called, has,
indeed, put on holiday attire, and is looking its
very best. Every one of the countless throng is
bent on pleasure, and has come for amusement, not
business. Its broad clean streets and handsome
blocks of palaces impress many strangers who are
now here for the first time. The Exhibition is, of
course, the great and absorbing topic, viewed from
many points—whether the individual may be a
simple gazer at the pretty things, an anxious exhi-
bitor, or an ardent patriot, jealous for the superior
excellence of his own nationality. All are inte-
rested, and the daily increasing crowds, and the
stirring life around, add to the general excitement.
Crowned heads have assembled, drawn by peaceful
influence in such numbers that a stranger dropped
as a meteorite from the heavens might sup-
pose that some weighty questions were now
being settled in Paris on which the fate,
not only of Europe, but of the entire world, was
concerned. The latest news tells us that not only
the Emperor of Russia, the Sultan of Turkey, the
Pasha of Egypt are to join the illustrious throng,
but last, but by no means least—to those who love
to gaze on royalty—the Emperor of China, that
ruler of the Celestial Empire, cannot withstand the
magnetic influences. Would that a Congress
might assemble, seizing so good an occasion, to de-
termine to wage war no more against each other, and to
regard the instruments of warfare, exhibiting speci-
mens simply of man's ingenuity, but utterly value-
less for all practical purposes. If the inspection
of the Great Show engrosses the day, balls, parties,
entertainments of all kinds engross the night, and
it will take some time before those who have fully
entered into the giddy whirl will be able to settle
down to the realities of everyday life.
The last reception of the season to be given at
the residence of General Dix, our United States
Minister, was held on Saturday night last, and no
better proof of its being a delightful entertainment
can be given when I say it was sometime after 12
o'clock before the guests could tear themselves away,
forgetting in the enjoyment of thr: evening that
Sunday morning had overtaken them whilst " trip-
ping the light fantastic toe" to merry music.
The races, theatres, fetes, operas, &c., I am sorry
to say, continue the same on that day in Paris as on
any other, as if really there was " no rest for the
wicked." But, to return to the reception of last
Saturday night, it was really a very grand affair,
and more numerously attended than any hitherto
held. To give an idea of the distinguished persons
present, or of the dresses, is a task I must leave to
I your clever Paris fashion correspondent, unequal
as I feel for the subject, as I can only judge of the
general effect, which is all most gentlemen can,
whether a style of dress is becoming, suitable to the
occasion, and in good taste.
Yet, let me mention one question that Dame
Rumour says is now coining before our astonished
vision, id est, the invention of another article for
ladies' use, which bids fair to rival the flan ears I
was so unfortunate as to mention in a previous
letter. The last inventions spoken of are false Ups.
Rosy, pouting lips, so constructed as to defy detec-
tion.

I hear that on Sunday last the Emperor received
the delegates of the " tjuiversal Tourists Com-
pany," and that this company will be a most suc-
cessful affair.

The American Circus has become one of the !n

„. _ • , 13.: .nn itu-
perial is crowded to overflowing every night, It is
well deserving of success, for the artists employed
are the first in the world, and the proprietors have
spared no pains and expense to render it superior to
any exhibition of the kind ever held. Indeed Messrs.
Bidwell, Van Orden, Spalding, and Quick seem
determined to prove that an American circus cannot
be surpassed by anything in Europe.

The number of Americans in Paris do not
seem to be on the increase at present, for as
fast as a large party arrive on a steamer another
bears equally as many, if not more, away on her
homeward-bound passage.
Still prices keep high ; rooms are still held at the
same exorbitant rates that were asked for them a
month or so ago, when it was hoped by enterprising
landlords that during the Exposition the unlucky
' person who had not before coining engaged apart-
ments would not have where to lay his head. How
have their " mighty expectations" fallen. Alas!
alas! would that their prices would also fall.
The fete de l'Asceiision was observed on Thursday
last. All the offices were closed, and the city pre-
sented a quiet appearance—more than it generally
does on Sunday. .

On the arrival of the Emperor of Russia, his
Majesty Louis Napoleon will have a grand review
of the army.
The brilliant weather this week, in complete con-
trast to the cold, gloomy aspect of last, has cheered
every one, and admitted of unlimited out-door en-
tertainment.

Since the remarks by the special correspondent
of the Times on the attractions of the English
girls at the English restaurant of the Paris
Exhibition crowds assemble there to gaze at the
young women. They will at least learn to endure
the staring process, and to be probf against looks
of admiration and killing glances. They are, as a
rule, pretty, although the fantastic method of dress-
ing the hair detracts from their natural beauty.
The arrangements made for the working classes in the
way of refreshment are excellent. A large ball has
been erected in the grounds, and I saw the list of
prices charged with satisfaction. Considering the
sums demanded for everything eatable and drink-
able just now in Paris the charges are not only
moderate, but very cheap. The ground has been
granted by the Government, and the landlord has
no payment to make for gas.

ROME, May, 1867.
The tide of travel, following well-understood
laws, is wisely diverted from this city soon after
Easter, as those who remain longer are well con-
vinced. For the last few days the Sirocco has been
blowing, bringing the breath of the African deserts
into our streets, stifling almost every thought of
energy and enterprise, and clearly explaining the
hitherto mysteridus love of Romans for quiet loun-
ging in their cool cafes. The heat, intense as that
of midsummer in America, yet differs wonderfully
from it, seeming to depend on the direct rays of the
sun. In passing through an open square the tem-
perature is withering, suffocating, but the shade,
when regained, is actually cold by contrast, and
there even the hot breeze creates a chill. To this
state cf things the dangers of this period must be
largely due.
Yet, by care in food, clothing, and the manage.
merit of exercise and rest, these dangers may
be reduced, if not wholly disarmed. Our artists
still remain stubbornly at their posts, though has-
tening preparations for a speedy retreat.
Mr. Rogers is finishing the Washington Monu-
ment for Richmond, designed by the lamented
Crawford, the work on which, suspended during
the war, is now resumed. This is to be surmounted
by an equestrian statue of Washington, 23 feet in
height, colossal statues of his companions iu the
Revolution, occupying subordinate positions, and
many graceful allegorical figures appearing at in-
tervals.

The resumption of this undertaking after so long
a delay is a pleasing evidence of a returning good
feeling between those so sharply alienated during