New-York daily tribune., 1843-11-04
Letters from Mr. Weed No. XVII

Correspondence Of the Albany Evening Journal
PARIS Sept. l6 l543.
After closing Letter. more than fortnight
ago, at Rouen, determined to stop scrbbllng.
The attempt to speak either of France or Paris,
without knowledge Of the language, strikes me
as presumptuous if not ridiculous. But some very
indulgent friends at home insist upon having fur
ther inflictions of my dulness. During the sum-
mer months, in the absence of interesting matter
am aware that newspapers are compelled, IN
filling their columns, to take whatever offers
but it is in seasons of intellectual famine only,
that their readers will consent to be fed on mere
husks. If, therefore, my garrulity should exhaust
the readers of the Evening Journal, | shall look
for acouttance' to the enforcement of my
friends.
Paris is situated upon vast plain. There IS
no difficulty in obtaining, from several elevations,
fine panoramic views of the whole metropolis
These views present to the eye and to the ina
gination City as beautiful in prospect as it is
nch in associations. You survey, at single
glance, objects which require ages for mental
digestion.
The river Seine divides Paris with almost geo.
graphical accuracy. What was originally Paris,
is now centrally situated Island, connected
with both shores by bridges. The magnificent
Church Of Notre Dame where Napoleon was
crowned is upon this Island. The Seine is more
of river, through Paris, than | had supposed.
It's width, at the Bridge Of Austerlitz, is $50
yards. In 1886 there was poulaton here of
100000, exclusive of soldiers and strangers. OF
the $4,000 deaths that year, over 900 occurred in
the Hospital and of the 29, 900 births during the
same year, nearly 5000 infants were ushered into
this i' breathing world at the Hospital
There are over $4,000 paupers in the Hospitals of
Paris.
There is strange Physiological fact in rea-
ton to the Parisians. Races, it is said, run out
here Or, in other words families residing con-
stanty in Paris, become extinct in one or two
centuries But comparatively few families, it is
affirmed residing constantly in Paris, can trace
their genealogy back beyond the reign of Louis
XIII. The constitutions of those whose ances-
tors constantly resided in Paris, for several gener-
ations, become so effeminate and frail that their
offspring are generally short-lived; while the no.
blesse and gentry who pass their summers in the
country, upon their Manors and at their Cha
teaux, preserve vigorous constitutions and robust
health.
Paris rests upon yellow marble formations,
from which it's Hotels Mansions, Castles, Pal
aces, &C., are almost wholly constructed. This
marble, when taken from the quarries, is scarcely
mosphere, acquires solidlty and endures like
granite
The expenses of the city amount to from forty
eight to fifty millions of francs annually, of which
sum thirty millions of francs is derived from their
'Octroi Duty This is duty paid upon all ar
ticles for consumption brought into the motropo-
lis, of which Wine is the principal Indeed the
amount paid on wine far exceeds that derived
from all other articles. The receipts into the
city Treasury, for several years past, have ex-
ceeded the expenditures by several millions of
francs annually. Guards are stationed at all the
gates and avenues leading into the city, to pre-
vent smuggling. Every vehicle and individual,
high or low, are subject to inspection when enter
ing the city.
find vast amount of statistical information
in Bulwer's work on France, a few items Of (which
follow. Cattle vary in value from 800 to $50
francs per head. Sheep sell from 20 to 25 francs.
The price of Bread is regulated twice month,
and In ordinary seasons amounts to about three
pence per pound. There were 56,707 trades
mems licenses issued III 1910, fer which S,5299
francs were paid to the city. Mechanics receive
from three to FIVE francs per day, and work from
10 to l2 hours per day. Laborers receive only
from 25 to IS sous per day. The shops are all
kept by young women, who receive their board
and from l50 to 400 francs per annum accord
ing to their intelligence and attractions. But few
}ourneymen or laborers work on Sunday afternoon
or Monday morning. Fuel is very expensive
here. Wood is sold in baskets in dimensions
something less than a bushel. at five francs per
basket. From the departments above Paris about
$4,000 boats arrive annually with the productions
of the soil and from Rouen and Havre about
1000 boats come freighted with colonial produce
The poultry and game consumed cost 7,475,0ll
francs in lS40; butter ,507 sos francs oysters
l,99l,974; eggs 5,3l693S. There is large tlo-
raj traffic here. Flowers are for sale in all the
market places, and the amount received for them
on fete days, is said frequently to excel 10000
francs!
The saughtering for Paris is done in Abat-
toirs,' Ave OF which were constructed by the or
der OF Napoleon, at different points, IN the envl-
rons of the city, at an expense of l6,5l0, ,OOOtg-
These extensive and we'll regulated establishments
are much visited by strangers.
Rides about Paris are cheaper than in London
or New York. A Cab, in which four persons ride
comfortably, is required to take you to any part
of the CITY for one franc and three-quarterS, If
by the hour, for two francs. A Cabriolet, hold
ing two persons, takes you to any part of Paris
for thirty sous, or II by the hour, one franc
You are expected to add two or three sous as
gratuity to the Driver Omnibus lines are estab.
Eshed throughout Paris, and to all the places oi
interest about its environs. Your ride wherever
Won please about Paris, in an Omnibus, for Sin
sous.
Having alluded to the fact that women are the
salesmen' throughout Paris, 1t Is proper TO say
that sort OF reciprocity exists. Much OF the
work performed BY women with US, is done mere
by men. In mos, of the Hotels you ind men
al. -, h.sHS nd