The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1847-05-22

every shop in Paris, there is not a shopman that
does not possess the manners of tolerably finish
ed gentleman-nor shopwoman that cannot act,
look and talk like a fine lady. am not 80 sure,
however, that they will net overcharge you Tor
the article you buy, if they possibly can out'
perhaps. they think they are entitled to add some
thing tor their poleness, little for their efforts
to please, and something for their kind looks.
But sometimes these gentlemany and lady-llke
persons do cheat foreigners most abominably
Yet they ought to be forgiven, because they do it
20 gracefully and so neatly.-they cheat you as if
they did you a special Kindness
Besides the two grand divisions which have
noticed in the society of Paris, springng from
the transition state of the age, there immune
rable little divisions and forms which are full of
variety, delight, deviltry, and other enjoyments,
and which are peculiarly French in their origin
and character. Every lady or gentleman of ge-
MUS, matter what be the blood or birth, with
fortune and position to warrant it, creates lit
tie circle around themselves, meet at each others
salons on stated evenings, talk, sing, dance,
have music, and give dramatic interest
to the winter season, by bringing out in every
shape, the variety of character they may possess
among themselves. This constant social circle,
organized almost on dramatic principles, meet
each other at different salons almost every night,
unless there should be something new at the
theatres-or a great soiree given by the minis
tiers or the foreign diplomats. These assem-
blages are got up at very little expense-about
| 8 or 9 O'Clock they meet-about 10 or ii, cup of
tea, a cake, or any trife, is passed round, and
| before IL, all have gone home. Sometimes
great poet will recite a new poem-or drama
tist read an act of new play-or p,i'na donna
from the opera will sing piece of music-or
danseuse dance some graceful thing, as private
lady, with the rest of the company. These vary
these amusements-and on such occasions
little better supper is given. In such coteries
there is much enjoyment and mental delight, for
the French have much real sympathy and kind
ness for each other, if it does not cost much in
ready money. Their economy is great among
all classes; and in friendship or in fashionable
| lite, cheapness of expenditure is much studied.
The only waste is in the government, and that
is to keep the peace. This economy in private
arises from their few large fortunes, as well as
the difficulty of making fortune or of rising In
life in France In New York, where great for
tunes are easily made, thousand dollars will
be flung away upon evening party, with pro-
fusion and waste which would furnish the ma
terals of dozen elegant soirees in Paris; but
able system-it wastes little wit, or eloquence, or
philosophy. In this respect, the refined and ele-
CANT society of Paris surpass in intellectual and
social profusion both the English and Ameri-
cans, who have greater taste for expensive and
gorgeous display of the physical enjoyments of
life. In Germany, there is good deal of the
French style. The most gorgeous displays here
are among the diplomatists or the bankers
| vi. Il. IL tbox
bility cannot afford those expensive entertain
ments The diplomatic circle is considered the
leading stratum-the financial probably follows
close at its heels The Rothschlds, and several of
the other inanciers and bankers, including stock
jobbers and brokers, possess the most splendid
houses, and give the most elegant entertain
ments. These, however, are all show, gran
deur, for purpose, to crafty pride or vanity or
to create business. The real enjoyable society,
the peculiar Partisan compact circle of elegance
| and refinement, make fewer pretensions-exists
principally on Intellectual or artistic materials
and may be found among all classes of moderate
fortunes. In these circles, poets, players, voca-
lists, priests, editors, journalists, critics, and all
barons and counts of over $500 year income,
circulate with great consideration, and in terms
Of social equality, with the highest and richest.
|
dern elements does not at all exist, or exists in
small degree. The English aristocracy consider
mere literary menI as hardly within the pale of
refined society-but man, whose profession is
to cut threats according to order, is an acknow-
lodged equal, let him be as great blockhead as
Bob Acres himself
| There is, however, recently developed here
strong disposition in certain quarters, particu-
| L. e. l. nd Tho
existing court circle, for titles and orders of no
bility. 1t is affirmed that many have been re-
Gently created counts, or marquises, or barons,
who are afraid yet to assume openly these titles,
in consequence of the rdicule which the rest of
the intellectual world throw over the thing. Two
of the ministers, Salvandy, and the late Mar
tin (du Nord,) are named among these new
mobiles in disguise. Such men as Guizot,
Theirs, &C., laugh at these vanities, and only
value the name under which they have &C.
quired the high reputation they enjoy. But
| have no doubt that there is fascination
for a woman, to be addressed as Madame
la Comtesse, Madame la Marquise, or Madame la
Baronns, which is particularly desired by pretty
young married women, who are about organic
ing their own special circle of society, and
trying to be the topic and toast of the salons.
This new desire after titles of nobility is begin
ming to be ridiculed good deal-and those who
have them, frequently drop them as things of
little value. An anecdots is told of Louis Phi
lppe on this point. A friend of the Kings
requested that his son should receive the title of
Count or Marquis. The King hesitated, and
asked the reason of making such a request.
Monsieur replied that ifhis son were Count or
Marquis, he could marry him to young lady
with large fortune, who desired, above all
things, to be a Countess The King hesitated.
81 have made Bresson a Count-and Pontois
Count, and Salvandy a Count-but that was in