The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-08-30
NAPOLEON l,
The Centenary Celebration of the Birth of the
First NnpOleOn-The sports and Pageants.


First NnpOleOn-The sports and Pageants.
GdigndnTS Messenger of Paris, under date of
the 18th of August, contains very ample report
of the sports and pageants which were INDUCED
in during the centenary tete day of Napoleon |,
on Sunday. We extract the following paragraphs:
The various amusements on Sunday were
favored with delightful weather, the sun not
being too powerful and gentle breeze playing
occasionally to cool the air. The capital had,
however, on the preceding day assumed its APP
pearance of festiWty, bright-colored flags being
hung out in all the principal thoroughfares and
as the visits of the various sovereigns and
princes in the year of the great exhibition had
furnished Paris with the banners of almost
every European nation, such emblems were dis
played very freely and added to the animation
of the scene. The arrivals of strangers during
the preceding week had been extremely nume-
rOus, so that this great mass of spectators, added
to the vast crowds which the Sunday left
unoccupied, formed an enormous multitude
of sight-seers on all the principal points
of the fete. Considerable changes had been
made in the general arrangements, as the open
air theatres, climbing poles, and shows were
placed in the Champ de Mars, and the fireworks
let off on the Place du Trocadero. Those two
notifications appear to have been well ina
gined, first because the petty dealers in the mu-
nicipal stalls complained last year that they
scarcely paid their expenses when fixed on the
high grounds opposite the Pont de Jena; and
next, because a certain danger was connected
with pyrotechnic display, has been the case
for some years past in a narrow space sur
rounded with buildings, like the place adjoining
the Arc de Triomphe As to the illuminations,
they were, as usual, everywhere, but principally
in the Garden of the Tuileries, the Place de la
COncorde, the Champs Elysees and the neighbor-
hood of the Champ de Mars.
The arrangement OF the various proceedings
was the same as on former occasions. At u in
the morning the cannon of the lnvalidcs an
nounced that the fete had commenced, and i'm
mediately after distribution of aims and pro
An
of the capital to such aged and necessitous per
sons as required assistance, the whole expense
of this act of beneficence being betrayed from
the Emperor's privy purse. The troops IN the
various barracks were allowed an addltlona
quantity of wine, and all, except those indis
pensably required for duty, were allowed TO
leave their quarters and remain out until II
o'clock at night. A similar permission was given
all over the empire, as the day is universally
celebrated in France; and in the large garrison
towns such as Metz, Nancy, Strasburg, Bourges
Grenoble, Chalons, Rennes, Toulouse, Toulon,
Algiers, ETC., fireworks prepared by the troops
were let off, collecting together large crowds OF
spectators and leading to a very considerable
circulation of money.
at about 10 o'clock the old soldiers of the
First Empire collected on the Place NendOme in
their strange uniforms, and, getting into ORDER
walked round the column, on the iron railing of
which the wreaths of immorteiIeS had been re-
newed. They afterwards proceeded TO the
chapel of the lnValIdes, to attend special SER
vice performed there at II. At l n solemn mass
was celebrated in the catherdal of NOtre Dame.
in presence of deputatiOns from the Senate,
Council of State and Legislative Body, a great
number Of civil and military officials, and large
general congregation. A Ie DeltDl was sung
and the Domino SdlCUm fOllOwed; and similar
services were given in all other churches of
Paris. We may mention that in the large towns
of the departments the religious ceremonial is
even more solemn, the richest robes being worn,
| the most splendid church ornaments exposed to
| view, and the professions being remarkable for
| their magnifccnce for the 18th of August is
| likewise the great church festival of the AS
sumption.
One OF The greatest attractions OF the day to
| the working classes is undoubtedly the gratui-
| tOus performances at the theatres; and IN order
! TO obtain places thousands are contenteu 10 re-
main long, weary hours outside, whatever may
| be the state of the weather. The practice was
| not departed from on the present occaslon' anu
| at the principal houses long files OF spectators
might be seen collecting ut the doors from eIsnv
| in the morning. At one, when the doors WIZ
| opened. the great mass rushed IN anu nyo
| minutes after every place was occupied NO
| more attentive or better conducted auuleuccs
| can anywhere be found, or more allve 10 eIery
point of excellence in the piece or Oh me acllhs
| in the performers. -, o.io.
| Boat races took place at two on the Seine
! between the bridges of the Alma ana lehl' nnI i
| continued until nearly five. Large crowds COZ COZ
lected at both sides of the river to Wlthess th'
| proceedings. - ,,,5 on
The popular portion of the fete was hela on on
the Champ de Mars at the end near lle EcoI, ,or
| Miitaire. Along the side next the river Wei
| erected two lines of wooden stalls with Wiu'
! road between, and in these were displayed 10
| sale all the cheap wares that are generally sce'
| at country fairs. Parallel with the Ecole wer
to be seen refreshment booths, dancing Ients