The Portland daily press., 1867-05-09

AT length We reached the ton of the Gradual
ascent and stand under the Arc de pEtoilo or
Arch of Triumph erected to coumenor,,. ~.
victories of Napoleon Bonaparte. who tho,,'-h
not in the calendar of saints, is worsbinnod bv
'no hiehch people more sincerely than any of
the semi-deities before whose shrines the t,, orc
never cease TO burn. What gorgeous spec-
tacie enchants the observer. Looking back ov.
ef the route just traversed or down the other
SIDE to the entrance of the Bois de Boulos lie
ne sees one unbroken moving mass of pet ple
and vehicles. And so varied! Admiration nd
iiirth alternately occupy his mind. Perhaps
whiie he Is feasting his eyes on q splendid C; r
r',so niieu with beautiful ladies', his attentit IL
WI" 10 inverted by an awkward horseuan
Tottihs Dy, evidently laboring harder than the
animal under him and endeavoring to conceal
the agony he feels. AT another t;ma ,no, ho
seen span of spirited horses DRAWING aftor
them load of proud clothes horses-for soma
of the fashion exhibitors are little e,se-apd in
close proximity ridiculous advertising affair
on wheels made to attract attention rather than
to look beautiful. And SO the stream contip-
ues to flow ON, ever changing, never ceasirg,
until darkness envelopes the scene.
, Lest I incur the unrelenting displeasure Of
yourlady readers must write something about
the fashions which "came OUT last Friday. Of
course the season demands light colors such as
light blue, drab, lilac, light brown and even
white, and it was noticeable that the dresses
were in general of plain colors, few stripes,
scarce any plaids. Velvet manteaux and oc-
casonally velvet suit reminded one that cool
breezes have not all gone. Small hoops and
small bonnets, each in its sphere growing moro
diminutive continue Ia mode. And / am sor-
~ to record that those pitiable afi.las which
Inevitably remind one of ragged dresses ara
worn by some. The more courageous will even
wear the upper part of the skirt of a different
hue from the under one, though more endeayor
to hide the mistake of that arbitrary goddess
Fashion by having the upper and under gar
ments OF the same color, and few who like to
be stylish but have not yet decided to leave the
sensible world effect compromise by trimming
the dress SO that it may have the appearance
Of being double. " t. .
fHow do they dress their hair?" / answer Il
don't know" for it is so hidden under that of
somebody's else, that no one can tell how
lady of fashion wears her hair except the one
who covered it up. 1 should say there are three
genera: the waterfall, the spiral coil and the
musk melon. These are sometimes relieved
or burdened-by frizettes in front or long
dishevelled curl at the side. Of course so much
foreign matter on the head needs to be fastened
there and consequently the head is tied up with
ribbons and decorated with jewelry to hide the
places ofcontact. .-... s ..H
Sunday was Easter. In the forenoon the
churches were crowded; in the afternoon the
cqtes and places of amusement were overflow
ing For some reason unknown to the writer
this day is designated as the fete or festival of
gingerbread and ham. In all parts OF the city
there were erected extra booths where ginger
bread could be bought at wholesale or retail
These boutiques were especially numerous in
the vicinity of the Place du Tronc, and in this
large open space were fandangoes, circulating
swings, menageries, museums, third rate thea
tres, balls and other "shows" too numerous to
mention In the a. ter part OF the day this was
lively spot, crowds of people with money TO
spend, buying gingerbread, blowing horns and
seeisg the sights. At night everything was il
Eliminated in most gorgeous manner. Bands
Of music in front Of some of the shows, ora.
tors proclaiming the wonders to be seen in 9TH
ers, hand organs at the swings and the shouts
of the jewellers made night hideous till late
hour. On Monday places of business were
closed. Does some one think this peculiar
way to celebrate the resurrection of Christ?
So it seemed to me, and more so when saw
the stores shut on Monday. But it was net
much livelier than on other Sabbaths, nor
were many places of entertainment open, ex-
cept in certain localities. ALPHEUs.