The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1853-11-24
For tho National Era.
BELL SMITH ABR0AD-FIRST DAY IN PARIS


No. w.
DEAR FRIEND: | felt the influence OF a
strange place long before awoke, and dreams
had 80 fashioned themselves, that, when open
ing nv ewes. to look from the tented hangIngs
of an elegant French bed, it was not to be
surprised at the uncarpeted foors--waxed and
polished until they resembled marble--the
many mirrors, singularly artistic appearance
of the paper bangings, the carved ceilings,
scenic paintings little marble mantel-peces,
surmounted by such a mass Of gilt and bur
nished brass candelabras, vases, and card
racks one could scarcely recognise the eternal
little French clock, which licked out its fussy
life in the centre All the adornments and
utilities made the room as much resemble an
American chamber, as well.dressed French
lady does an American woman done up in the
same style.
The hasty beating of the little time piece at
the hour of ten, echoed from another in the ad-
joining room by single stroke in its compan-
ion showing difference of only half an hour,
reminded me that it was somewhere in the
neighborhood of time to get up. This passion
for clocks is one of the mysteries of Paris F"
to me. Go where you within every room, the
lowest to the most ornate, and you find these
little satires on time. Except to dispose Of the
weary hours--destroy, annibilate, if possible
our gay Parisans have no use for works Of art
to measure the flight Of Time. And in proof of
this, no two Of these in all Paris run together,
or are unanimous upon any minute or hour in
the day. Yet here they are, of oil conceivable
designs We have the beautiful clock, with
Venus, or Apollo, or both, rising from a sea OF
gilt Cupids we have the warlike clocks, made
up of cannon and swords, and miniature
Napoleon then you can see the learned clock,
and the scientific clock, and the patriotic clock /;
no. these last are suppressed Louis Napo.
Icons Government made descent upon all
such symbols, including pipes Of Liberty caps,
canes ditto red neckcloths, and superfne blou-
SEES A Frenchman shall not have liberty rung
in his ears--he shall not smoke over it--he
shall not clothe himself in 'syusbols thereof
but believe in small Napoleons and do him
reverence But TO return TO the time pieces. At
first glance, one would see in this multiplicity
of timc.pieces resemblance TO our own peo-
pie But the thought dissipates the resem.
blance An educated American finds in his
clock dear friend, who gives to him sad, yet
improving thoughts A thrifty commoner
writes @Time is money! on the face of his
tick-tick, and sets his business by it. But
French clocks keep no correct time. They are
purely ornamental-generally excuses for set
ting up Venus
NV own watch, as well as appetite, said
breakfast; so | rang the bell, and Monsieur
Charles responded, by bowling himselfin grace
full a. dancing master. To this hour can
not determine whether Charles was the pro-
prietor Of Hotel de Tours, or it, garcon. He
was shrewd enough for the one and service.
able az the other. My order given, no seized
dminutiye table with one hand persuaded
/. to the middle Of our sitting room, threw over
il a snow. white table-cloth, rushed wildly yet
noselessly out returned with plates for three
three dminutive war-cubs, which we recOg-
Missed as bread. and in twenty inmates, Amerl-
can time, from the giving Of my order, the
breakfast was smoking on the board beg
pardon for the misnomer 1t was only sug-
gsstion of q breakfast to hungry American
The bread appeared as war clubs but not of
q size to knock down q stout appetite, The
butter pats were the most delicate hints at but
ter ever thrown out the fowl WAS but Miss
chicken of very slender, genteel proportions;
while the beef-stesk could never have been
missed by the noble Oh, its former proprietor.
lie might have been at that very moment roam
ing over plesssnt felds quite unconscious that
a homeopathic portion Of himself was before
three dismayed and hungry Americans.
Monsieur Charles" said d., with eminent