New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1866-06-02
nErPnMs FnoM PANS.


perfeuce was now to commence, 1 thought OF al
The French had ever learned, put on my MOST
knowing face, and prepared to play, if not the
native. at least the man who knew him. But twas
mot snch ideas alone filled my brain. / was in
Europe, The land / had so long heard of, and
read of, was now about to see-in part at least
about to realize the great wish of my life, and to
compare ii with the land of ancient romance and
reality, that had SO long found place in my
dreams. Would it realize my expectations !?
Would live over the past in its ancient churches
and palaces, and comprehend what was genius
what art, that could create such structures? A
strange language fills my ears, strange sights and
sounds greet me on every side, and realize fully
that I am indeed a stranger Such ideas float
through my brain as l go from place to place-to
the custom house for my baggage, (where mere
nominal search is made), to the prefecture of po-
lice fer my passport, the railroad office and hotel,
and see on every side the evidences Oh oistincV
people-a strange nation.
Havre i. as YOU are aware, city of some com
mercial Importance, being one of the most promi-
nent seaports of France. The harbor is entirely
artificial made by extending stone piers from the
land, thus enclosing slips where vessels lay in
safety. From this cause it is not very large. The
9
which rises some half mile from the sea shore !;
and for maritime place has very pleasant look,
somewhat aged, however, in its style. It has some
pleasant squares, handsome hotel de 0ale, and
other public buildings; large dock for repairing
vessels, and connects by railroad with Paris
(time through five hours)
After gazing sufficiently long time at
the first European city had set my foot
in, made my arrangements to leave for Paris, the
capital of the world. The morning beheld me
much refreshed though with still desire to brace
myself up, and to wonder why the earth would
not keep steady. Railroad travelling in this country
is srch an improvement on what it is in
ours, that it really becomes safe and bearable.
The car is divided into three separate apartments,
each division roomily fitted up for passengers,
with only ones friends and self in division.
Thus I thought, as | compared the present with
my trip from Cairo to New York, done in true
American style. know not whether the country
between Havre and Paris may be taken as a
specimen of French scenery in general, but
whether general or not, this portion Of it is very
beautiful. Nature has done great deal for it.
The variety of hill and vale, of gray rocks and
stTeamlets, afforded often very picturesque scenes
embellished by art in the highest degree. The
windmill on the hill top, the magnificent bridges,
the situation and appearance of their hamlets,
were all effective adjunets to NATURES pictures.
Much as / had heard of European cultivation, I
was hardly prepared to see farming carried to
such perfection. The whole country looked like
one large garden; the trees neatly and closely
trimmed all the twigs gathered up, with mani
fest and strict economy. About the railroad
everything was order; each man was properly
uniformed even to the one who greases the
wheels. He attends strictly to his duty, to which
he is held by numerous inspectors, who watch
them and each other; and this notice to be the
case in almost every organization, that about half
| the employees are engaged in watching the other
half, thing not SO difficult of attainment when
we take into consideration the large population
| and the low price Of labor So busily was l
| engaged in noticing the scenery, and the pecu-
liarities of the people in general that we glided
first into the suburbs and then into the heart o.
the great city before / was aware of it. In fact
so close and continuous are the little towns and
villages, that they almost form one suburb from
Paris to Havre. On arriving in Paris, was again
forced to observe the perfect system that per-
vades everything. carriage was quickly pro
cured, our baggage taken, not pitched, from the
station, and placed on one of them, and in few
moments we were at the Grand Hotel du Louvre.
We had room, dinner, and good nights
rest; and I rose next morning thoroughly
refreshed, feeling that was, at last, at my jour
ney's end My short experience had taught me
one thing, in which have been constantly con
firmed. A stranger need have no trouble in Paris
if he is prepared to deal tranely with its inhabi
tants. However, even with this open char
pla-s ~
ciate what eentime means. My impressions
4 of their character in general l will give
! hereafter Suffice it to say that, at their
hotels, you are served with anything and every
thing you may ask for, at price which, all things
considered, is one for which their polteness hardly
makes amends. The establishment of large hotels
in Paris, like the Hotel du Louvre" Grand
Hotel,n etc, are comparatively of modern date.
| They were built and introduced by company as
| being on the " American principle, so-ealled
They are, however, far from being like an Ameri.
can hotel and think the comfort Of their patrons
might be greatly promoted by more perfect
amalgamation of the two systems. It takes some
time for stranger at Paris to realize its size and
beauty. So bewlldered is he by the sights thai
greet him on every side, that he hardly compre
hends what he sees, and finds it almost impossible
to partieularze. It is as with splendid picture
you must enjoy the beauty Of the whole for time
before you can begin to perceive and note specia
and individual beauties, "Don Paris in a day
and what have you? A meldngeof all the sight
| it contains, and mixed remembrance Of its pecu
liarities; the Paais Royal, mot the royal palace
as seen by moonlight the bonlevards with thei
millions of heads; the Rue de la Paix, where win
| dows glitter with gems Of which king might b,
proud, flor the benefit Of my lady friends men
/ ton a necklace of pearls and diamonds valued a
sS50000,) its museums, churches, bridges, Thu
Inyalides, and, above all, the glorious Champ
Eysees. Sunday afternoon, after some grea
race, what magnificent picture it is, with tina
! stupendous work, the Barriere de l'Etoile, caet
the Arc de Triomphe,n spanning its upper end
the lower forming the Place de la Concorde, viii
! Its two enormous and beautiful fountains cooling
the atmosphere in its neighborhood THE Tuilerie
with Its garden full of children, playing in happy
sport, and the brtaes, with their white caps an(
neat, French ari
What scene these forml And how many day
and weeks may be spent in examining each q
these and many other strange things in this prea
cosmopolitan city A city which contains repre
sentatives from probably more nations than an,
other in the world-Jews Turks and Arabs. Eng
lsh, Dutch and Americans, aud last, but notleast
Y sambo,n the negro, in all varieties and ever
stvia From Yha nne who rides in n cRrria 90 m h;r