The Sun.
London, England, 1867-03-05 00:00:00

Miscellaneous French News.

(From the Correspondent of the Anylo-American Times.)
PARIS, Feb. 28, 1867.
The grand ball in honour of the birthday of
Washington took place on the 22d instant, at the
Grand Hotel, and was largely and brilliantly at-
tended. The gentlemen who formed the committee
of management proved most effective stewards, and
one and all obtained applause for the able manner
in which the arrangements were carried out. Their
names were—Colonel Hoffman, Mr. Beckwith, Mr.
Emmet, Mr. Munroe, Mr. Phalen, Mr. Heard, Mr.
Van Brugen, Mr. Bowles, Mr. Evans, Mr. Lamson,
Mr. Nicolay, Mr. Richards, Mr. Camac, Mr. Jones,
and Mr. Tucker. The ball was given in the dining
hall and sitting rooms of the Grand Hotel, which
were tastefully decorated with the flags of America
and France, and further adorned with two large
portraits of Washington, surrounded with ever-
greens and flowers. The corridors were lined with
arl2er-vitae, cedar, and camellias, which had a
pleasing and beautiful effect. The supper was
elegant and recherche, and much appreciated by the
numerous guests. Many of the most distinguished
visitors, both of America and of Europe, honoured
the occasion by their presence, among whom we
noticed the American Minister, General Dix ;
Prince Galitzine, Hassan-Ali-Khan, Duke de Bas-
sano, Comte de Leebach, Gustave Dore, Monsieur
de Enazu, Professor Morse, Mr. Post, Mr. Corbyn,
sce., &c. It would be invidious to select the belles
among the crowd of beautiful women who graced the
assembly ; but among those whose elegant toilettes
and amiable manners attracted most attention
were Miss Dix, the Misses Beckwith, Miss Beylard,
Mrs. Monroe, Miss Clarke, Miss Sims, Miss Brookes,
Mrs. Clarke the Misses Clift, Mrs. Tuckerberry, Mrs.
Spencer, Miss Morse, Miss Hamel, Miss Henriquez,
Miss Torrence, Miss Mackenzie, Miss Minnie
Brookes, Miss De in ing, and others too numerous to
mention. It is hoped that this is but the first of
many such reunions to take place this spring, and is
the inauguration of a brilliant and festive season.
Unlike the Temple of Solomon, raised, as we are
told, noiselessly, without sound of hammer or nail,
the world's fair building is now resounding with
myriads of those instruments putting the last strokes
to that vast Temple of Industry and Peace. Ex
hibitors from all parts of the world are arranging
stalls, boxes, &c., for the display of their
wares ; and the interior of the building is rapidly
filling with fast-arriving shipments, represent-
ing the progressive spirit and enterprise of the
present generation. The outside grounds have
still a somewhat unshapen appearance, though
shrubberries, grass- plats, fountains, and artistic
edifices are springing into existence, and covering the
extensive surface of what was once the celebrated
military parade, known as the " Champ de Mars."
The International Theatre is approaching comple-
tion, and will be as elegant and commodious as
any in the city. In this theatre piec,s will be
played in various popular languages. The Exposi-
tion, notwithstanding its unfinished state, is very
attractive, and is daily visited by hundreds desirous
of witnessing the progress of the works.

The Emperor has recently called into coansel
many Generals and other officers belonging to the
infantry service for the purfpose of learning their
opinions upon different modifications that will pro-
bably be introduced into that branch of the army.

It is asserted that, in compliance with the law of
reorganisation, each of the many corps d'arnice
which comprise the military strength of France, will
be required to undergo a sort of examination, and
useful changee which might be important in time of
war will be studied and duly considered in conjunc-
tion with all the new inventions in arms.

Although in a state of peace and tranquillity the
Emperor is determined to be prepared at all times
for war. He justly says—" The influence of a na-
tion depends upon the number of men which it can
put under arms."

The Empress, for the benefit of visitors to France
during the Exposition, has determined to form a
collection in the palaces of Malmaison and Petit-
Frianon, of such• pictures, furniture, and other
objects that were the property of, or used by, the
Empress Josephine and Marie Antoinette, when
occupying these imperial residences.
A special commission has been charged with the
execution of this work—and the collection when
completed will form an interesting museum.
As the Carnival is drawing to a close masked
and fancy balls are multiplying in the gay capital,
and fun is raging "fast and furious" in their
nocturnal revels, when

"Joy is unconfined,"
and when each and all are resolved on
"No sleep till morn—wlzon youth and pleasure meet,
To chase the glowing hours with flying feet."

At the Hotel de Ville the second ball of the season
took place last week. Five thousand guests were
present, embracing thz legislative, diplomatic, and
administrative notabilities ; representatives of the
army, press, finance, &c. The toilettes of the
ladies were superb, and long trains of silk, satin,
velvet, and gauze, ornamented with a profusion of
flowers, pearls, lace, and diamonds, gracefully
sweeping time to the 1:12118i0 of a quadrille, presented

a coup d'ceil strikingly beautiful. The principal
orchestra in the grand gallery was directed by
Strauss, while another band performed in the
saloon.

The annual ball of the artists came off at the
Opera ,Comique on Saturday night last, but was
not so largely attended as before. However all
passed off merrily, and the "break of day" found
the revellers still " tripping on the light fantastic
toe."

At the Chatelet Theatre the third grand bal
masque was given on Saturday night, and was a
decided success. The new order—that allows no
lady to appear unmasked and without full
costume--was rigorously enforced, and added
greatly to the interest of the ball. The
eleventh fancy ball of the season has been
given at the Opera, and, under the management
of Strauss, passel off in its usual brilliant manner.
Thee balls are always largely attended, and fami-
liar to many Americans who have passed the winter
in Paris.

The Spring races have already commenced, and
last Sunday at La Marche there was a large attend-
ance to witness the exciting sports of the turf. It
is rumoured that the celebrated Fenian chief,
Stephens, is now in Paris, but not much reliance is
placed in the report. The funeral of the Prince de
Sahns, who was killed in a duel with the Count
Wedel, took place on the 19th of February at
Vienna, and was attended by a large concourse of
the elite of the city.
Among those of distinction who followed the
remains to the tomb were the King of Hanover, with
all the officers of his suite; the Archduke Guil-
laume, the Duke Philip of Wurtemberg, the Mi-
nister of War; and the Commandant of the Pro-
vince, accompanied by a number of generals, and a
corps of artillery. The cause of the duel is not yet
known, and there are many contradictory reports
in regard to it.
The Philadelphia Americans in Paris are con-
gratulating themselves upon the new line of ocean
steamers that are to run between their city and
Liverpool, and it is to be hoped that every success
will attend the efforts of the enterprising owners of
the Philadelphia and European Steamship line.
Mr. Cyrus W. Field is expected in Paris, and it
is to be hoped that the Americans there will give
him a public demonstration of their respect. Among
the recent American arrivals is John Norris, Esq.,
formerly of Boston, Massachusetts, but who has
been residing for some time in:England. Mr. Norris's
stay in Paris will be of short duration, as he leaves
in a few days for St. Petersburg on business of
importance.

In thelast letter from Paris to the Anglo and Franco-
American mention was made of the intention to erect
an Anglo-American church, large enough to accom-
modate a thousand persons. Now I discover that
two churches of the kind will be built, one of them
—owing to the energetic efforts of the Rev. Dr.
Eldridge—is now commenced, and ere long will be
finished. This church, I believe, will be open to all
denominations of Christians, the mornings being
devoted to the services of the Episcopal Church.
Carnival is shaking her bells merrily, and calling
all who love tinsel, gold, and glitter to the most
imaginative costumiers. Priestesses are assuming
prophetic airs before pier-glasses. Folly is jauntily
setting her cap at bachelors, while reckless belle
Ilelenes are subduing Paris more completely than
in the days of Menelaus. The best-attended ball
of the season is ever Madame O'Connell's. She
never gives more than one in the course of a
winter, but it is always a date to put down on one's
tablets. Madame O'Connell's receptions, which
take place every Saturday, are the usual rendezvous
of all the aristocracy in France by right of birth or
talent. She has been too often compared to
Madame R6carnier for me to repeat the parallel. I
will only say that Madame O'Connell and Madame
Ancelot are about the only two women in saris
who keep up some trace of what " salons" were in
former times. Painters, poets, ministers, celebrities
in the diplomatic corps, all meet in the studio salon
of the Boulevard St. Germain. Maitre Lachaud,
the orator, and Cham, the caric tturist, are constant
habitue's.

But to return to the fancy ball. Madame wider
Pichat was undoubtedly the queen of the evening,
though she appeared there as King Louis XIV. in
his youth. All the grace of adolescence and
majesty were blended in her figure and dress. She
wore a white satin coat, blue-watered waist-
coat, with lace ruffle, tight silk stockings
marked with gold, shoes on high scarlet heels,
and the veriest jewel of a sword to kill
a bosom friend with, though it was in an embroi-
dered sheath. She entere•l the hall, cane in hand,
with the undeniable look expressed by—"
c'est moi !" Lace cuffs, lace edgings, were artis-
tically crimped or gathered, and literally lent a
downy appearance to the brilliancy of satin. Corn-
tesse de Mouzay was dressed as a Russian peasant
girl, Madame la Comtesse de Na 6 was an animated
rose ; there were morning dews all haze, and
auroras all bright mist ; there were Chinese and
shepherdesses both in authentic attire. Among the
latter Madame Guibert was most bewitching, a la
Wathau, with a basket of exotics, which she distri-
buted to her partners.

Among the gentlemen, Mephistopheles was not
so much remarked for, his demoniac black and red
as for the diabolical fascination of his discourse,
which many a Margaret could affirm (if any would
own that they were fascinated, which is most im-
proper, of course). Mr. Louis Figuir wore a chain
of sausage-radishes, oysters, and other edibles; and
on his back stood out pic-nic. There was a Cossack,
too, with something very unsavoury by way of
refreshment in a mess dish. The mistress of the
house was a priestess of Isis. Her costume was
splendid and after her own designing. She wore
on her head the sacred ibis, and on her gold wand
the symbolic ichneumon. The perfect oval of her
features wasdraped in bandlets of fine linen, her arms
were bare, her under-tunic of wool ; but over that
hung a wide flowing tunic of purple, with heavy
deep folds. Altogether she was a most imposing
subject for an artist versed in antiquity.
All the other balls of last week are pale, except-
ing the great American fete given at the Grand
Hotel in honour of Washington. The gentlemen
of the committee who were the instigators of the
great national ball will have to renew their invita-
tions next year, for if, noblesse oblige, we may say
that success is not less peremptory. I have been
asked to say who was the handsomest, and my per-
plexity is extreme, for the handsomest girl was not
the best dressed, so I beg to mention no superiority.
In my opinion the happiest will ever be the loveliest,
and thus all were lovely. Particular thanks are due
to Messrs. Munroe, Hoffman, Tucker, and Bowies
for the excellent arrangements made to welcome
their countrymen with due honour and generous
hospitality.
And now a little private communication. We
have four new colours, readers—" Isabelle," " Al-
pine currant," " grenade," and " moonlight." In
my next a full description of these rich hues, and
the textures they denominate.
Nothing new in our every-day costume, except-
ing that velvet will be worn over satin till late in
April, and that jet is cascading in streams down
every garment.

Information has been received from the Prussian
post-office that letters can be sent via Russia to the
following places in China—viz., Pekin, Kalgau,
Tientsin, and Urga. Letters intended to be sent
by this route should be posted early enough to ad-
mit of their being forwarded from London by the
night mail of Friday or Monday, in order that they
may reach St. Petersburg in time for despatch by
the mail for China leaving St. Petersburg on Tues-
day and Friday. The letters must be specially ad-
dressed " via St. Petersburg," and they will be
chargeable with the following rates of postage,
which rates must be pre-paid :—For a let-
ter, addressed to Pekin, Kalgau, or Tientsin,
not exceeding loz. in weight, is. 9d. ;
above ioz. and not exceeding loz., 3s. 6d. ;
for each additional loz. or fraction thereof,
ls. '9d. ; fora letter addressed to Urga, not ex-
ceeding Oz. in weight, ls. 2cl. ; above oz., and
not exceeding loz., 2s. 4d. ; for each additional
ioz. or fraction thereof, is. 2d. Upon registered
letters a fee of 4d. each letter must be paid in addi-
tion to the postage.

Miscellaneous Statistics of the United

Kingdom.

A volume bearing this title has just been issued
by the Statistical Department of the Board of
Trade. It is the sixth part of a series of similar re-
turns, affording statistical information upon all the
leading subjects of national interest (except Trade
and Navigation), for a period of about ten years—
from 1855 to 1863.

In the present volume, the " summary of con-
tents" specifies as many as 37 subjects for which
statistical tables, varying in number and extent,
are to be found in the subsequent 35 pages.
The tables are framed upon a comparative sys-
tem, in order that the results of the last
year for
which the returns are given may be seen against
the corresponding figures for the two preceding
years. The exceptional character of any of the
statistics for a particular year can thus be observed,
and incorrect inferences avoided.

For many of the leading subjects of these sta-
tistics, such as banks, civil justice, crime, education,
paupers, population, and the public revenue and
expenditure, the tables are compiled from the cor-
responding departmental reports and returns, or are
specially furnished by the departments for this mis-
cellaneous volume. The returns, when separately
published for England and Wales, Scotland, and
Ireland, are here brought together under the several
headings ; and, where practicable, summaries of the
chief results are compiled for the United Kingdom.
It is probable that some of the " miscellaneous"
statistics relating to important but less prominent
subjects might be practically inaccessible and un-
known to many persons interested in them, were
not abstracts collected from the Parliamentary
Returns and published iu a volume of general sta-
tistics. The principal items of receipt and expendi-
ture under the county rates are, for instance, mat-
ters of considerable importance for local informa-
tion and consideration. In this collection of mis-
cellaneous statistics information is also to be obtained
which does not come before the public in any other
manner. The Statistical Department of the Board
of Trade has applied to the principal Chambers
of Commerce for returns of the rates of wages and
the hours of labour in the leading manufactures and
trades, and some very useful and interesting facts
have been received from the council and secretaries
of the Chambers. It is greatly to be desired that
these valuable returns should be made as com-
plete as practicable, and we have no doubt that
many of our chief manufacturers will be ready to
co-operate in perfecting what has been so well com-
menced.

Another branch of statistical information is to
some extent supplied by special returns of the prices
paid for various articles of food, clothing, and stores
by public departments and institutions. The im-
portance of reliable and comparative statements 01
prices of articles of large consumption is too apparent
to need more comment. We could wish these mis-
cellaneous statistics were brought down to a later
period, but the volume can be recommended as a
very useful compendium of statistical information•

JMES DALY and CO., Distillers, John-street,
A Cork, be! to announce that they ere able to supply the
trade with their e ilebrated Wh'skie.i, in casks or cases, mod
to take orders in bond at d for explristlon, at their offices, 7,
Printing•-house-square, Lon,lon, 1,1 C.. the onl, house n the
square not occupied bv fh 4 ..
T. D. and Co.'s whiskies
brine' the highest prices in the Australian
and other Colonial
Market,. as may be observed by relereuee to the "Journal of
eummerce of Victoria," by which it will be seen that thdr
Whiskies kWh 6d. per Fr Alton and Is. per case over the next
hes% and Is. ad per frail° A and 5,4. 61, o- -r ihe iowest
quotation. „Owe!' nand a large supply
Mellow whisky in of ye y old
finest condition, matured in sherry
eaßks, nuason reasonableterms.