Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1848-12-23
RatseelIamenus Matter.
LIVING IN PARIS.

L1NlNo lN FhMhS
The mode of living in departments" in
Paris is thus particularly described in let
ter to the N. Y. Herald:
In Paris, all buildings for dwellings, are
divided into apartments, and sometimes SUBJ
divided into rooms, as convenience may re-
ouire, An apartment occupies one entire
stoee, or story iu English. ltembraces salons
our dnwiug rooms; sale manuger-our dining
room; saisine--our kitchen ehambres co,-
sher-sleeping chambers; added to these wa.
ter closets and every other convenience for
housekeeping. All these rooms are com.
pletely furnished with every convenience for
q family. The first story Of the building is
called reseds-ehausse, and is occupied as
store, shop. &c the second story is called
entire sol, and is generally occupied by the
owner, or some one who pays cheap rent
it is a lownr story, generally not more than
eight feet high; the third story is here called
the first-ls premier-and is furnished the
most expensively, has the highest rooms and
pays highest rent /; the next is tho SECOND, the
next, the troiseme; the next the q.atrieme
and the next the einquieme, corresponding
with our words second, third fourth and fifth,
each efag, or story paying a less price, accor-
didg to the number above the premier A
grand flight of stairs ascending to the highest
story, connected with the front door by spa
cious entry or hall, and by the side of this
entry, or Just behind the stairs, is small room
for the concierge, who is an important persen-
age id every such building. She lets the a
partments; tends the door; opens and shuts
it for every person who passes in or out /;
lights the entry and stairway; sees every
person who passes up and down the stairway:
answers every inquiry as 10 the occupants of
the building, receives, pays for and delivers
all letters, papers and other messages, goes
Of errands buys provisions if desired on does
the duties of a femme de chambre, or any other
service which family may require, and all
for very small compensation. One dollar
in Paris for such services, will go further
than twenty dollars in London, and the SER
vice will be better and more politely done.
The entry and stairway are always furnished
and lighted, and the concierge provided at the
expense Of the building; bu, for any services
beyond this the occupant, called locataire,
pays the concierge. If one is out at the thea
ire, bal masque, or soiree, he always finds
the concierge ready TO answer the bell, and
the entry lighted. She opens the door by
means Of spring lock and cord extending TO
her room, which she pulls without leaving
her bed. No one, therefore, now enters the
house without her knowledge, and without her
taking look of him, TO see who he or she is.
Many persons who desire to spend years, or
parts of years, as do the English in great num-
bers, hire an apartment and furnish il in their
own way in such case they obtain an apart
ment for one half the price of a well furnished
apartment. When loea,arie hires furnish
ed apartment an exact account is taken of the
state and condition of the furniture (called
here meubles) in writing; and for every inju-
ry not therein described, the loentaiere pays
at the termination of his lease-here called
loyer. Rents are paid monthly and in ad-
vance and the law gives an owner a lien
upon all the baggage, &c. of the locotiere for
the paymen, of every sum due under the
lease. Apartments Of all prices can be hired
and all are remarkably convenient, tastefully
fitted up, and most genteelly furnished. 1t is
a delightful mode of living for those whose
sojourn is not of permanent character, espe-
cially so, and for all it is generally preferred
and adopted to any other. 1t is delightful to
have every room and convenience upon the
same floor, and to have the facilities furnish
ed by the concierge. Why not adopt this
mode in New York.