Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-07-25
American Celebration of the Glorious
Fourth in Paris. -

Fourth in Paris. .
The Paris correspondent of the New York
Express writes on the 9Th, of the celebration
of the anniversary Of our independence in
the former city
The customary observance Of the Fourth
of July, by our colony in this city, was this
year happily diversified. Hitherto the anni-
versary has been celebrated by ball, at
which every body narrowly escaped suffoca-
ton, or by dinner, in which many Amer
leans were unable 70 participate, on account
of the high price Of the subscription, or un-
willing to do so because they did not care to
run the risk Of being bored by individuals
who were certain to avail themselves of such
an occasion to let of their superhuous steam
This year the preliminary arrangements for
properly and pleasantly (if possible) honoring
our national birthday, were undertaken by
Mr.. Faulkner and Mr.. Spencer, Minister and
Consul of the United States. To these gem
tlemen is due the credit of the initiative.
A paper was drawn up, headed by their
names, to the effect that the signers bound
themselves TO pay the expenses, to the
amount of fifty dollars each, of festival in
commemoration of the eighty-fourth ami
versary of the Declaration of American In
dependence, provided twenty signatures
should be placed on the list. OF course,
these were soon obtained, and in short
time the number was greatly increased in
suring a sufficient amount of money TO make
the occasion in all respects worthy the citi-
zens of great country, sojourniDg or resi-
dent in foreign capital. It was determined
to keep the holiday by a tete chdmpetre. For
this purpose, the beautiful Park of Villiers,
near Neuilly, one of the prettiest rural spots
in the environs of Paris, and a favorite sum
mer residence of the late King Louis Phil
lippe, was selected by the Committee of Ar
rangemerts. Between eight hundred and
thousand tickets and cards Of invitation were
issued.
On arriving at the Park, soon after two
o'clock, found very few persons present,
except the members of the Committee and the
employees charged with the various details Of
the festival II was not long, however, before
the excursionists began to assemble, in strong
force, and, after Il very spirited performance
of the American national airs, by a good band
of music, the signal for commencing the
sports Of the day was given, in the shape of a
auadrille under the tent. Now this tent was
a wonder in its way. 1t consisted of an inn
mense awning, open on all sides, and admit
ting a free passage to the air, filled with the
perfume of innumerable flowers growing in
the Park, in whose center the tent was
erected. 1t was handsomely ornamented and
(estooned with the United States and French
| flags, and the arches supporting the ediice
were decorated with shields, bearing alter
nately, in evergreens, the letters "W" and
al, surmounting which, around the entire
| area of the tent, were smaller escutcheons.
containing the names of the States with the
| omissions of California and Ohio, which were
of course accidental, and such orthography
lis Virginie," Pennsylvania" "Floride,
Mississippi and Wisconsin" (which, in
France, were pardonable oversights.
Proper orders were doubtless given, but
the French decorator unquestionably thought
| he knew how to spell the names of thosC
States better than the illiterate natives
Standing few yards in front of the tent wa
a tall liberty-pole, capped by large gill
eagle, with outspread wings, and the star
| spangled banner floating in the breeze. Al
the rear end of the tent, which was provided
with substantial flooring for the convent
| ence Of the dancers was fixed the orchestrn
| in the center standing pedestal surmountet
by a bronze bust of the Father Of his Coun.
| try. Extending along one SIDE was a sup
| Elementary awning, protecting from the ray'
| of the sun, but not from the onslaughts o
the company, wide buffet laden with tempt
| ing viands, fruits and wines, ices, &c.
1t was supposed that ample arrangement
had been made for an abundance of refresh
ments, but the country air probably sharp
ened appetites already excited by the display
of good things and before seven o clock
clean sweep had been made Of every thing
But the committee charged with the i'm
portant duty of managing the supplies
Messrs. Sumner, Stone, Smock and Captain
Sackett, United States Army, were equal Il
the emergency. In half an hour after tn
salmon, Ia mode beef pate de toie gras, straw
berries, ice cream and rose champagne (e1cel
lentissimo) had been exhausted, and numer
GUS countenances began to look "blue' befor
their time, a reinforcement of all those com
estibles and potables with others) arrived OIL
the scene Of action, and there was not sin
gle death from starvation recorded.