The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-01-26

Arctic sea in miniature. with its blocks Of ice
slightly lifting their heads toward heaven in
picturesque ruggedness. 1t is as silent as the
Dead Sea. A few enterprisng spirits endeavor to
cross; some drop in. in the passage over Mirzas
visionary bridge, Now that France cannot spare
an eafdm from the defence of the country, the
authorities prudently prohibit further attempts at
this Arctic exploration.
On Sunday particularly the times were dreadfuy
out OF joint. Traffic was almost suspended in the
streets. AT the foot of every rising ground cart
or wagon lay strewn about, the horses removed,
just like ships stranded after storm. Some
railway wagons had thrown out their sheet
anchor. which consisted of an extra tarpauln
became the Petite Vitesse, by necessity. Omni.
buses and such public conveyances beat
funeral marches" to their destination. The 18th
OF January-the winter truly of Partisan discon-
tent-the period when families pay their quarters
rent, or go to find fresh fields and pastures new,
being near, many furniture vans were doing their
duty. Some had broken down, upsctting and shat
tering many a household god. Two dairy carts
had come to grief, and like Kitty of Coieraine,
AL their sweet buttermilk watered the plain"
The loss will here be more keenly felt as the COW
with the iron tail is everywhere frostbtten. Coal
carts could make no way, though bent on charita-
bic missions, so the porters had to deliver the
coal by the bag. The millennium must be at hand,
since DIR. Cumming classes as among the "signs
OF the tines the population taking in their coal
by the bag.
The gay Parisans never domestic by nature,
have been forced to keep titek rooms BY circun-
stances over which they have no control. Not all,
however. To say nothing Of those poor, frozen
out laborers and artisans who have to 60 to seek
their daily dole of charity at some of the "head
centres" in the city, there was a crowd of rank
and fashion at the lakes more especially on Satur-
day evening, when the tete given by the Skating
Club came off, The carriages commenced to ar.
rive at ten O'Clock and brought all that was rich
and elegant OF French, Russians, Americans, Eng
lish and jewellers beyond Mesopotana. The MEM
hang fhn AIN Al
ship along with antern--the latter fixed in the
fur hat or suspended from their coat. The ladies
also displayed lights" The spot for putting on
the skates was kind Of holy ground, and had as
park at race course. The prettiest feet
were here to be seen, "peeping, but not
like mice,n from beneath the shortest of iu.
pous, and encased in rakish Sonarof boots.
Music arose, but not with "voluptuous SWELL"
from an infantry band who kept time by alter
nately blowing their trumpets and tops Of their
fingers. Quadrille parties were speedily arranged,
and dancing was Kept up till late hour" The
ladies trpped it on the light fantastic and skated
right heartily, their lanterns, not dmly burning,
twinkled like little stars they moved through
The mystic mazes OF the dance. Three live prin-
cesses were present. The electric light shone on
fair women and brave men, along with bonfires,
venetian lamps and pyrotechnic surprises. No
one went home till morning. Not o member of
the aenat-ntonde was present. In the matter OF
skating, their early education has been much
neglected. and NJ. Duruy's system OF secondary in
struction FOR young females was not then in ex-
istence. However they contented themselves with
petds soaperS and the society of cosmopolitan
Platos.
There was an imperial shooting party few days
ago. when 1872 head OF game were bagged. About
the same time another bdita was taking place
among the Partisan journals, seventeen of which
had been simultaneously asked to come and
appear before the iudgc-for what? AT first they
did not know, but were not long left to burst in
ignorance. They had, one and all, violated the
constitution in giving an account of the proceed
ings in the Corps Legislatif other than that sup
Piled by the official stenographer. This in free
trade times IL very strange still stranger, among
the deiinquents are some Of the thick and thin
supporters oil the government. CAL We this back
ing your friends These petty nterferences make
the judiclous grieye and detract rather than add
to the greatness" of the Second Empire.
Judgment III the case OF the broken down coach
proprietor against his sonn-law, the MARQUIS
dOrrault, is daily expected. Your readers will re-
member that tho old Marquis married an ex-
queen of the Jardin Mabile, who retired on her
savings. These she laid at the feet OF the Mar
quis and her old father and mother claimed
something bearing The look ofs eXtortion--from
them TIC means OF support. Their son had already
fired pistol IN his sisters face for refusing 10
supply him with pocket money. 1t has turned up
that the Marquis IN his marriage settlement re-
cited his resources, one item OF which was an an
nual pension OF 81 600 from Napoleon the Third,
payable By The Minister of the Interior. What
service the recipient rendered to the State is not
clear, but II would appear to BE- refusal TO
snatc the first Napoleon, whom Tsllcyrand desired
10 be rid OF.
Napoleon must lie happy as well az a lucky man.
lie has just received from the Pope a velvet hat
and sword charged with tue bcnediction OF his
holiness as being tho foremost prince among the
Church's defenders. His earlier conduct is, OF
course, forgotten; he was then warm aud young
and n state of invincbe ignorance. Should tho
nat turn out 10 be tortunatuS' wishing cap, and
tie sword n Prospcros wand and II the Shah OF
Persia would only send over pair OF seven league
boots tho Emperor would be irresistible. lie
would soon ma out way OF bringing the Romans
anu Italians 70 sense Of their situation, ard pay
Paul Pry visit to Herr Bismarck BY way OF a
diversion.
A. IN evidence Of the "hard timesi' now rci,i.-
ing may be mentioned the fact that this. which
ought to be something like the height oil the
season, - the contrary. Tie world both in
tae taubourg ST. German and in the quarter Of
the Champs Elystes, have not yet opened their
hoapitable mansions 70 receive. Many vii! not do
50 IT all. There can be no doubt that several of
the highest families have seriously suffered from
The late inancal failures in the city, ard others
continue IN weak condition from the stagna-
Ion OF business IN the principal centres o. French
industry, notably Lyons. Ro8en and lille. Never
mad charity greater demand on purscStriurs
There is q famine in Algeria and colossal poverty
here that will require cool head and Il steady
hand 10 alleviate. There viii be only three balls
at the Tueries this season; The titst will come on
on tomorrow.
ing. There was not great gathering, but il must
be remembered il was the night of King Fro-i's
ball at the lakes.
AUS TRiA.