The Portland daily press., 1867-05-09
EurePcan Correspondence.


- b,s. PARIS, April %, 1886.
To the Editor of the Press .Aat .r5 ~4 .H Y
While the political world is absorbed in solv-
ing the Luxembourg question. and while the
commissioners and their assistants are making
ready the Exposition, let us look about Paris
little. First of all I must correct q mistate-
mert in my last. 1 unwittingly spoke of the
young Prince Imperial as Prince Napoleon,
whereas the two persons are entirely different,
the one mere lad, the other known to history
as the unsuccessful competitor with the pres
ent Emperor for the crown Of France. The
young Prince Imperial is no minaly President
of the Exposition, but it is said that Prince
Napoleon will soon return to Paris and assume
the duties and honors Of that position.
Another bit of gossip am reminded of in
this connection. 1t is rumored that the En-
peror lately made application to London lie
insurance company for policies ON the lives OF
the royal family. Monarch as he was, it was
necessary for him to undergo the same exam
ination as other people who wish life insur-
ance. This examination developed the fact
that the Emperor, Empress and Prince are all
suffering severely from disease contracted by
the follies of the father, communicated to the
mother and inherited by the son, and the dis
ease is SO far advanced that insurance was re-
fused. Indeed it is expected by those who
know this, that the Emperor cannot live great
while longer and that the Prince will never
reach maturity. Consequently another revolu-
ton is predicted before many years. sSo N.
1t is announced by the papers that the main
bnildinU n fhn " or IL,
speaking, the Exposition Palace, has been sold
to the Russian Government and that it will be
removed to St. Petersburg and re-erccted there
As possession is to be taken on the first Of No
vember that settles the time of the continuance
of the Fair. ilh i hiig islrlini iu1grs.al
Last Friday was one of the great days in
Paris, as Good Friday is in all Catholic coun-
tries. From noon on Thursday until Saturday
at the same hour no bells were rung and all
the clocks on Catholic churches were stopped
for the same length of time that they might
not strike. Unusual services were held in the
cathedral, churches and chapels. All the shops
where meat is sold were closed, and good Cath
olics dined ON fish. But like all other holy
days twas made also q holiday. On that day
occurred the celebrated promenade of Long
champs. This custom, as near as can unravel
it from the knot Of tradition is as follows
Many years ago there was in the Beis de Bou-
logne church where was especially fine
singing on Good Friday. This of course attract
ed the nobility, and gradually, as year after
year each one of the gentry would strive to ap-
pear in finer style than any other, it came to
be mere apology for a parade Of fine clothes
and equipages In the course of time the
church services were discontinued but the
same route was used for the same kind of dis
play until now it is the place and time for peo-
pie to ''come out" in the spring fashions.
A short description of the ronte may not be
out of place and will assist to a better under
standing of the method taken in Paris to ex-
hibit their tinery, not only on this day, but at
other times, oi . r..t .Y
Immediately in front of the magnii-
cent garden of the Tuileries is very large
square, the Place de la Concorde. Beginning
here is an avenue which for beauty probably
has no equal in the world. 1t is broad enough
to allow ten carriages to be driven abreast, and
extends through the Champs Elysees to the
Arch of Triumph, thence to the extensive park
known the Bois de Boulogne. Starting
from the Place de Ia Concorde we find our
selves in the midst ofa lovely spot which seems
to have been imported ffom fairy land, and
which is not inappropriately named Champs
Elysees or Elysian fields. Here all is gaiety
and beauty. Pleasant groves, fragrant flow
ers, music and attractions of many kinds make
it a favorite resort. A little farther we find
the Round Point, even more fragrant than the
place we have just left, and though we find no
inviting shade the fountains prevent the atmo-
sphere from being oppre ssive. The fine houses
along the way 1 have not mentioned, because
there are but few which to American eyes ap
pear fine. The same five, six or seven story
light yellow walls met with all through fariS
do not desert the visitor here. But no'"i'n-
standing this monotony the avensie has cheer-
full, dignified air and one is SO charmed with
the liveliness on the street that ne can reaaiiy
forgive any lack of imposing architecture. Gil