Star.
London, England, 1826-09-25 00:00:00

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PARIS IN 1826.

PARIS, &mamma 17.
Notwithstanding numbers of the iniobitants are now -
recreating themselves in the country, Pads, always
magnificent and ever gay, appears to have no cessation
in its pleasures. Thelitheatres are nightly open, and
overflow with visitors; the promenades are crowded with
company ; the caffis and restaurateurs exhibit the same
animated scene we have ever witnessed ; the races in the
Champ de Mars are more than ever attendeJ, and the
various exhibitions do not appear to have lost any of
their attractions. The mountebanks, quack doctors,
grimaciers, and other amusing personages, contribute
no small part to the constant flow of fun. Vive la baga-
telle! is still the Frenchman's motto.

The French are certainly a happy people ; happy in
contentment. The poorer classes would gladly take
coffee for breakfast, but, if they cannot afford it, they
are equally content with an apple and a crust of bread.
This perfect resignation to existing circumstances is the
characteristic of the French, and constitutes, in no small
degree, their happiness.
Paris is greatly improved within the last two years ;
the spirit of speculation has been on the alert, and al-
though it may bate failed in some instances, yet in mad,
it has added to the comfort of the inhabitants and to
the beauty of the city. We allude particularly to the
galleries or passages which they have pierced through
various quarters of the city, for the convenience of foot
passengers. The original construction of the houses
and streets of Paris, the one high, and the other narrow,
prevents the possibility of any sudden improvement in
the convenience of footpaths, although there is now a
law for all buildings taken down to be rebuilt several
feet hack. But the passages, which are now numerous,
enable the pedestrians to walk almost from the Thud.
leries to the Boulevards, and in othfr directions, with-
out soiling their shoes. They are admirably constructed
for light, splendidly arranged with mirrors on each side.
shops elegantly fitted up, and, being brilliantly lighted
with gas in the evening, form the most agreeable pro-
menade in wet weather, both by day and night.
Of the public buildings, now finishing, none exceeds
the new Exchange. his built at the expense of the
city. Elegant in design, beautiful in proportion, it is
the most classic modern edifice I have seen. The interior
is lighted from an arched skylight, and the roof, below
the Light, is divided into compartments, each containing
a subject emblematical of commerce, painted by Pujol
and others, in imitation of basso relievo. Independently
of their being designed in excellent taste, they are per-
fect deceptions in executipn. They are so finely relieved,
that there are few persons but would mistake them for
what they imitate—admirably executed sculpture.
The magnificent chain bridge, opposite the Hotel des
Invalides, which was nearly complete, has met with an
unforeseen accident. Some waters having suddenly
burst, have overwhelmed and rendered insecure one-of
the columns on which the chains are supported. It is
supposed that the whole must be taken down. .
The Italian Opera h.s been removed to a splendid
house nearer to the Boulevard Italian, and the prices of
admission have been raised. Afesdarnes Pasta and
Cinti are the favourites. Mademoiselle Cantarelli made
her debut, but failed. The perfection of a French or-
chestra, like that of the Academy of Music, can hardly
be exceeded, and is well worthy of imitation in our
Theatres, particularly the Italian 0, era, the conductors
of which would also do well to swathe chot us singers
over to take a lesson from those in France. Another
thing is worthy of their attention—keeping the band in
the orchestra on their proper level, that they may not
interfere with the sight of the audience in the pit. If
they keep on raising thefr seats as they have done lately,
they will soon occupy the Procenitens. Last season, Spas-