The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1869-04-12

PORTLAND.
Monday Morning, Apri IL. 1859.
Letter IRON, Paris.
PARIS, March 20, 1869.


TOOK place some days ago in the workshop Ol
M. Fontaine in the ne ghborhood OF the
SorboDne, the friends OF science fear a back
ward movement in natural physics. In Or
dinaIY times human lite is extremely we'll
cared for by the French government authori-
ties. The horror which the explosion OF M.
FOntaines picrate OF potassium produced
hire in Paris was so universal and Of such
fever heat that the government thought it
judicious to vindicate itself in It's official
journal by declaring that it vas only through
violation of law that the tragedy occurred
In truth there seems to have b"en an unusu-
ally culpable neglect on the part of the city
authorities in allowing chemical laboratory
to work in the heart OF a densely populated
neighborhood, near schools and colleges.
M. Fontaine who has been so severely
stricken in this catastrophe, (you remember
it was his son WHO was experimenting when
the explosion took place. is chemist Of ex
traordinary ability. he received premium
at the leceut Paris Exhibition Tor this same
picrate of potassium. He belongs to thai
Ntaoo VI SChloSCo WIZ uCCQ W Uc HudTueu, re
garled and never disregardei for the fine
frenzy OF invention forblds them to keep ar
even tenor. Thousands of persons have
visited the spot where the tour victims were
SO suddenly blown out OF life.
This incident is the more to be regretted
as some American physicians had almost per
suaded their brethren of Paris to become
christians in the way OF etherizng such o;
their patients as were to undergo painful
operations 1t is hardly credible, but still il
is true that here in Paris ether is rarely ad-
mnistered, and Immeuse nervous dread is ex-
perienced when it is applied; and il it is In +.
hospital call is generally made for some
American who Is used to giving chlorolorm,
for this is oftener used here than ether. ]
have known of patients being held down b,
the main force Of several men while deli
ca and painful operation has been perform
edl 1t may be assumed that in consequence
OF this episode the aggregate amount OF hui
man suffering will not speedily be diminished
in Paris by the juIicious use OF ether.
Speaking of medicine reminds me that her
disciples in the shape of American citizens
are at Ghis moment very numerous in Paris.
As far as my observation goes, they generally
reflect credit on the Republic; are not given
up TO funkeyisn; are not in ieverish haste
to make the acquaintance of Miss Nilsson
and Nine. Nh, or to have q Irritation
with Mile. Schneider to be presented at the
Tuieries, and get invitations to the Imperial
reunions. Tney visit the hospitals, attend
lectures, and ascertain what progfess surgery
has made In Paris. They retain more of o
republican flavor than many other young
| people, who growing little while In Europe,
| living in Paris and Vienna, become very like
some garden vegetables which take the quail
ties OF neighboring growth to the manifest
detriment of their original worth. l have
known OF some American young mel alter
several years residence in Europe advocating
with melancholy discomfort the expediency
of decorations and court dresses tor the +
country folk as the only way OF asserting
their equality in European courts, aud young
ladies' who having led extremely idle lives,
always In the exhilaration OF fetes, balls. thea
tres, dress concerts, and full-dress dinpers
declare that they much prefer foreigners to
Americans. 1t such damsels have no dots
they are not available for the marriage. mar
ket here, while few sensible men at home will
accept such damaged bales Of goods as these
light egotists. Ambitious parents have with
the best intentions conferred on such chill
dreI an education which has untitled them
for the upper places Of society either in The
old or new world, and in honest truth have
known OF many young girls who have come
over heie only to come to grief, and reach a
misery never analysed by polite, fashionabl,
world. II do not take care shall send YOU
a homily instead OF letter, but, you see ir Il
Holy Friday and on this day even Parisians
wear theii rue with difference.
hope 1t will be germane to the matter in a
Partisan letter where SIN art correspondent Is
only write OF prima-doppas, "Shak. speare
and the musical glasses" the Imperial Court,
and the distinguished people they are hob
nobbing with that as the successor of Gladi-
tor caused the bigh-blown pride of our Eng
lish cousins to break under them, so once
more their allies have given them hom.
thrust by the demonstration that the Durham
breed is no longer first in the agricutuIa
field. The rose OF England once more pales
before the Fieur de-lis. In the great cattle
show tnat has just come off at vilette the
Maroldis breed took the first p. ize. It was q
iair fight, and no tdds givsn; there were the
Durhams, backed By their old and sturdy
supporter, the Marquis de Montlaur, and the
gentlemen Tirsonnier, but the victory was
borne off by NJ. Bellard.
Magnificent concerts have been coming off
both pubic and private. during Lent. One
such was given last week at Sale Herr where
Miss Nilsson appeared in all the ease and
happy abandon OF a child. This cheerness
and gaiety have brought upon her the strict
ures OF some OF the French critics, especially
writer in La Li5erts rebukes the cantatrice
for ad ,pting ia society. extravagaut toilette:
and the smiles OF child, complains that she
masses ribbons too hugely and wears YER,
large roses, and then adds with profound
gravity that to dare to be original 1t Is neces
sary to be born princess, and that simplicity
never awakens criticism, and suits best thoss
who have reached distinction through talent
without having been born into 1t, and then
with admirable cant asks, II tor young blow
a crown OF glory was not enough? 1t wou.e
appear not, invariably; there are always mar
tinets ready, as far as IN them lies, to put OF
young brows-a crown OF thorns.
The Emous drive to the Bois de Bou
logue knowl as Longcbamps did not this yea
bring out the fashions the custom being In
deed mostly honored il the breach, ard thel
the weather has been wintry. fashions WI
hardly be out IN Iull blaze TIL after Easter
but the ladies may be sure OF double skirt
the upper one to be adorned with three pua
exceedingly "a Ia Camargo, and that fantas:i
frinses with 'crochet-heading" VIII be worn
that mantlllas OF the same material as th
dress will be in vogue, that bounets tiny a
humming birds will be trimmed SO simila
front aud back that looking only at this bea'
gear you will never decide whether womaI
is advancing or receding. i he trimming vii
consist OF bows oil ribbon so arranged as tC
look like butterflies or pretty roses in masse:
or wreaths, or lunches OF iilacs, with the dew
just shaken of. WANDERER.
Plasfing Trees.