The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1869-09-23
Leteer from Europe.
PariSian Public BaTs-JardiR DfGbillc-
Chateau Rougc-The Fete Day.
PARIS, August 18Th, 1869.

PARIS, August l6th, 1863.
To The Editor Of the Freeman
| stated in my last letter that I liked
Paris, and | am endorsing my opinion by
still remaining here. l must soon leave,
however, for all pleasure must have an end
and business get some attention when daily
bread is expected; so before this reaches you
| will lie on my away across the Atlantic
for the fourth time, and glad I shall be when
land is sighted.
Every body who has read of Paris, has
heard Of .Iardn Marbille, one of the sights OF
Paris. | have becn there aud propose TO
give you this letter concerning that class OF
amusements known Public Balls, and
among the many peculiar institutions none
is more stri king than these and although
conducted on the principle that where there
is restraint there Is no pleasure. and though
actions are INDUCED in by the female vota-
ries of the dance, such as you viii not find
INDUCED in among the upper circles at
nome, Americans often attend them and are
often to be found tripping 1.-The light fan
tastic' in a manner thst would quite sur
prise their friends at home. There are
many of these public balls in Paris. but
description Of two Of them representing the
upper and lower classes of these institutions
(lor there is an upper and lower class even
in these affairsl will serve to give your
readers some idea Of how they are managed.
Among these institutions nones are 50 well
known to the Americans as the
JARDIN MARBILLE,
A charmingly laid out garden on the Avenue
Montaigne, bat few steps off the Champs
Elysees. Everything is done that good taste
can suggest or lavish expenditure procure to
make the place attractive; charming bow
ers invite lovers to enter, quiet walks invite
The stroller, gas jets twinkle among the trees,
water Jets from beautiful fountains cool the
air, while the best Of music is discourSed by
an excellent orchestra. The dancing plat
form is circular, Of great size, and surrounds
the handsome covered stand in which is
seated the orchestra, and all over the garden
stands chairs for the accommodation of tired
visitors. At nine o clock the gates are open
ed, and remain open until twelve O'Clock on
ordinary occasions, the price OF admission
being three francs for gentlemen and one
franc for ladies. Upon entering the garden,
hundreds Of galy dressed females are found
sauntering around to the excellent promen-
ade music discoursed by the orchestra, while
exquisites of the male sex are almost as
numerous; the toilettes of the females being
in many instances the perfection OF richness
and good taste, while diamonds glitter, lace
abounds and costly silks trail on the ground.
Soon the hour for dancing arrives, the band
strikes up lively quadrile, polka or waltz
and away whrl the dancers, bronze shoes
and silken stocking showing, rutfted gar
ments peculiar to the sex being exhibited IN
a startling manner, and the long trailing
dresses elevated in such a manner as would
lead the observer to conclude that they
might as we'll have been left at home. AS
the evening passes and the tcrpsichorean
votaries become warmed to The work. the
Car-Can is indulged in and forms attractions
for those who have come to look on. Those
who have been shocked by this somewhat
active dance as produced in the Grand
Duchess on the stage of the theatre. can
form no conception of the style at Mabille
with only ordinary every day attire. 1t is
striking. The male spectator who occupies
the inside of the circle that always surrounds
the dances, must need watch his high hat,
or when he least expects it. some agile fe-
male will quietly remove it, with the toe of
her boot and leave him to recover 1t amidst
the laughter of the crowd. Unsophisticated
youth can gain a knowledge of female ap-
parel that years of investigation at home
might fail 80 impart, and married men from
home commissioned by wives left behind, to
gain knowledge of the latest fashions. viii be
able to give information concerning articles
of female dress. not usually exhibited to
public view, that will give the aforemen-
toned wives an idea Of great powers of
research on the part of their liege lords.-
During the intervals between the dances,
champagne, coffee, ETC., are imblbed, and
furnish stimulous necessary for renewed ex-
ertion. And so It goes, night after night,
the garden being always in favorable wealth
er well attended, and on Saturday nights.
when in addition to the ordinary attractions,
displays of fireworks are given, are crowded.
Good order is maintained, and although
police are kept on the ground seem quite
unnecessary, such a thing as disturbance
being rare indeed. The main object of the
dances is pleasure, and though there may be
some attraction to the male lockers on, in
the reckless display of person made, can
not see wherein is the fun for those who thus
expose themselves.
raE CHATEAU ROUGE,
In another quarter of the city. like Mabille
in as much IS it is charming garden devo-