Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1855-04-06

! Paris Until reaching this country, had sup
posed That | understood the language. but my
| experience Mt Calais convinced mo that compre-
bending the French at home and in France
| two very different things. Never mind how well
! n mnn may be able 10 understand and speak it in
| America, he will find himself much embarrassed
| on his first arrival here. His ear has To become
| accustomed To the lingo, before lac recognize
words with whose sgnfcation he is familiar,
and lac has TO make many efforts at speaking, be-
fore he cnn frame his sentences so rs to be I'M
dprsfbol by the French.
We reached Paris early ia the morning. and
were glad enough to find our journey ended
The first thing that struck me as strange was
the fact that every man connected with the station
was in uniform, and that soldiers were mnfehlng
around the cstnhshmpnt.ns if it were fortress.
The railroads of France belong To tine govern
inent. exclusively. Private enterprise in that Iii
roction Is entirely unknown. Each person con
nected with them holds his office from the State,
aud wears its livery. The depots, aud all the
property connected with them, belong 10 tho
Emperor. and his soldiers guard them with in
ccssalt vigilance. We were all marched into Il
certain room. where we found our trunk. and
from which we were not allowed 10 go. until they
hnd been examined 4 friend of mine thought
lessly walked out of side.door, but when he at
tempted to enter, the sentinel presented his bay
unet. lie hud to remain ON the outside, although
lac had left bis wife aud all his effects within
The extent b which the trunks were examined
seemed To BIO regulated by the appearance and
manners of their owners. Those persons who
were gentlernanly in their dress, and polite in
their behavior to the officials, we're treated with
consideration, aud subjected only to the slightest
surveillance. Whilst on the other hand all sus-
picious looking characters and grnmbtcrs were
well guarded and thoroughly oyerhaued. Some
amusing anecdotes nrc told III relation TO the ex-
animation of ladies, Oh their arrival and depar-
ture from Paris, and was much entertained by
hearing of the circumstances and localities in
which sundry articles had been discovered 1t
is said to be particularly dangerous for woman
to dress II Ia mate, when constrained to pass
through such an ordeal. The members Of the
police ARE SO well skilled in anatomy, that they
can distinguish, at once the artificial from the
natural, and they are sure to make good their
opinions IN such matters by thorough search.
Paris is, in many particulars, the greatest city
of the world. There is more gayety among its
people, order in its streets, elegance in its
houses, and magnicence about its churches,
than can be ioundin any other place on the globe.
The public buildings seemed to have been erect
ed simply to crafty architectural taste; the
streets arc ornanentod with shops whose articles
are arranged us to produce the most dazzling
effects tho vehicles are built SO as to combine the
greatest degree of comfort and grace; tho
''toilettes" of the ladies the very perfection
of mHgniccncc and elegance; and the people live
but for the pursuit of pleasure, in its thousand
glitterng phases. The whole city bears II light
cheerful and happy aspect, which is decidedly
refreshing 10 one who has accustomed himself to
the thick togs and gloomy appearance OF London.
The Palace Of the 'fuillerlesis the only dismal
looking establishment in Paris. 1t is old and an.
tiquaed, and though ornamented deliberately, it
appears decidedly gloomy and uninvlting. II is
very imposing however, both on account of its
great length and the number and magniiicencc
of the styles of architecture which it presents.
Its interior is said to be particularly elegant, but
rs have not had an opportunity of entering its
grand saloons | will not speak of them Mt pres
cnt. The Empress, it is reported dislil>es the
Tulleries rs Il residence. Apart from other con
sdcIations, the associations which it recalls must
be anything but pleasant to 'thoso who wear
crown"
The gardens connected with this Palace
particularly beautiful. They are handsomely laid
ont, richly ornamcnted with statues, filled with
magnificent fountains, and shaded by trees of
every variety and species. Even at this season,
they are budding, and thousands of persons can
be seen suuntcring about in them ut all hours.
About twelve O'Clock every day, the nurses of
Paris turn out in force, and for several hours,
the gardens are filled with tidy looking women in
long pointed caps, and little children dressed in
every variety Of costume Imaginable 1t Is really
delightful to watch tho little things at play and
to hear them chatering away like many black
birds. They learn to Jump the rope as soon as
they cnn walk and one see some hundreds
of these tiny creatures engaged, at the same Time
in this amusement by taking walk through the
gardens OF the Iullleries.
There is more dccorum i'll the streets of Paris
than III any other city Of the world. There is no
quureng, loud talking, or fighting among the
people, but everything moves ON like the works
of wateh-quetly certainly and in order.
Tho existing government is undoubtedly tho
very best for the French people at present.
France was never happier on more prosperous
than Mt tins time, and yet she never had n more
absolute sovereign. This fact, when taken in
connection with her republican experiments, de-
monstrates her utter incapacity for self govern
ment, aud shows that her interests are best sub
served by placing them in the hands of u master.
This view of the matter is fast gaining ground
here, and the stability of Napoeon's power in
creases constantly with this change of public
sentiment. No sovereign in Europe is more firmly
seated ON his throne than the Emperor of the
! French, and hundred revolutions would not
| drive him from tho Tuilleres.
Yours respectfully, l.. w.
GREAT MILITARY EXPEDITION TO THE PLAINS