The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-22
Mr.. BENEFITS LETTERS FROM EUROPE
PARIS, April "a, lsi7.
Close OF tho Fashionable Season In Paris
Society IN France-Origln md Philosophy Of
the Castes-Tho Old aud New NOblcsss-
oOteres--Valuo of Title, Sc. &c.

The fashionable season in Paris Is now rapidly
drawing to close. After the first OF May, every
person of fortune or fashion will be preparing 10
leave the metropolis for other locality most
generally to the country--some TO Germany
some few to England--and a good many TO the
devil. The Italian Opera has gone TO LONDON
where the CAV season lasts longer than In faris,
al,bopgh II begins much later. The concerts OF
all kinds which have been most numerous, are
also coming 70 an end. A Spanish troupe has Just
onened in the Italian Opera House, but they are
considered only middling, and are looked upon
more as novelty than fine specimen OF art
and genius The dancing seems to be the only
nor,;on which is understood or relished by the
parisians The Duchess of Montpensier Of
course, being Spaniard, is there every night,
and seems to enjoy it very much. She Is always
attended by the Montpensier himself, youth,
quite boyish looking-and also several other per-
sons, forming her suite All persons of the
world, who have lotteries, or keep regular salons
of reception for their own special circle, are
giving their last parties. Drives are now taken
beyond the Champs Eiysfe-many venturing upon
the confines of the country, even beyond the
woods of Boulogne, which is generally con-
sidered sort of deba.able land between town and
country.
During the past winter we have seen good
deal of French society of all ranks in Paris-we
have heard d good deal, and learned good deal
of its peculiar construction, form, origin growth,
changes, and present interesting condition
Society here, as it is called, exists in two
grand divisions or formations-the old and the
new-the remains of that which grew up in the
feudal ages of Europe and reached it's highest
state of development during the old monarchy
and that which has been the growth of modern
events and changes since the revolution OF 1890.
In one section of Paris, you will see old churches
and antique houses-in another quarter, splendid
palaces called railroad stations and houses
equally modern. These forms of architecture
spring from different and almost opposite ideas,
originating in different ages. This intermixture
and interlacng of ruins and rebuildings, can be
traced all over Europe, but 1t is IN the social
form, more particularly striking, and well deve-
loped in Paris than in any other city OF Europe.
In London, Vienna, Berlin, and other similar
cities, the descendants of the ancient nobility,
without much reference to talents or intellect,
but with due regard for blood and property,
generally keep themselves somewhat aloof from
the other classes and form the principal and only
recognized high circles in the state. In this re-
spect the French are different-Pars is different
and these differences have been produced and
invgorated by the great revolution, and the social
and political events which followed that great
movement up to this day. During the revolu-
ton, the consulate, and the empire, the old nobi-
lily of France were banished or destroyed to a
very great extent. At the restoration, all that
remained in existence returned, and up to 1880 a
we ma de IN est he
clusiveness of the old times This was one of
the elements which helped to produce the revo-
luton of July. That event threw again the old
nobility out of their position the first class of
the state-and also opened the door for the new
men of talent and wealth who aspired to lead in
society, and to be considered the first tier in the
theatre oflife.
These revolutions and changes have, therefore,
produced two classes, or two formations of
society in Paris and in France, equally pretend
ing to be the most refined, the most exquisite, the
most recherche the most of every thing. The
Carlists, or the old nobility, form large and
exclusive set by themselves, hating, despising,
ridiculing, laughing at those who now form the
court of the Tulleries, and are the present pos
SCISSORS of power and influence. The Carlists
have their journals--their magaznes-their phi
losophers--their wits-their beauties--their
coteyies--their salons all among themselves Some
of them are men of large property, but nothing to
be compared to the nobility of England. The
greater portion, however, are poor and proud.
The principal ground on which they come in
contact with the new nobility is in the diploma
tic salons-that seems to be neutral territory
for all
The other large division of refined and fashion
able society which forms the present court circle,
is composed of all ranks, races, creeds, and CO.
lors, / may say; for there are colored people who
20 into the best society of Paris, not many to be
sure but choice and select and beautiful in grain
what there is of it. Dumas, the celebrated no.
velist dramatist, and feuilletonist, is said TO be
colored mana mulatto, and he Is certainly
dark enough to be eligible for the Presidency of
Hayti The black streak, however, is small.
The court circle of society has decidedly the
most talent-the highest genius-the most pro-
found ideas in every element of civilization and
intellectual progress. 1t is also more agreeable
TO American ideas. The Carlists, however,
claim the greatest taste, wit, grace, and esprit
they have, probably, the largest stock piety Of
St. Peters brand. Immediately after the revo-
luton of July, crowds of plain citizens of all
classes, those who made the dynasty, used to
frequent the Tueries, and also to attend the
salons of the ministers. This gave existence to
some odd scenes, but il was in process OF time
done away with. Still, as officers of the national
guard of Paris, journeymen tailors and boot
makers, who dress as fashionably as any other
persons, and generally have good manners, have
an entrfe to the grand annual ball at the Tuille-
rles, generally called the "omnbus ball.
These are laughed at by the new nobility, yet
they are respectable mechanics, and have been
elected officers of their companies by the men
themselves-and this is the reason they are in
vited by the King to his large balls. In case of
an emeute or revolution, the national guards are
Ia the xiafcncc az The