The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1870-04-02
TRAVELLING SKETCHES
suxsEa xrezrEzx.

Well, well, well, the dream and de-
sire of our boyhood has at length been
realized-we are again in Paris-the
worlds gaudy capital and as q mat
ter Of course, determine to make the
best use of our opportunity. To-mor-
row is Sundsy-the quiet revered Sab
bath Of Scotland, the day Of pleasure
and recreation of France. But it is
early yet, only 1880; the thorough
fares are thronged; the cafes are
crowded; the omnlbuses are filed in
side and out, and as we may never
have a like opportunity, We resolve
to avail ourselves Of it, and according
ly, determine, as best we can, to catch a
glimpse Of the city under gaslight.
Starting from the neighborhood Of the
Place du Havre, we take an outside
seat, and amid the clatter of strange
tongues, commence our midnight trip.
Street after street, with their glittering
gaslights and gaudy shows, are passed.
Here is the well known. Church of
the Madeleine" which we propose to
enter tomorrow, and again, the truly
Grand Opera House, with deserved
worldwide celebrity, whose proper
tons, design, and architectural beauty
cannot fail to be admired, even by the
most unobservant stranger. At the
Boulevard de Italiens, we dismount,
and following the incessant stream,
take leisure stroll up this magnificent
thoroughfare and while we have pro-
tested time and again against our
national proneness to indulge in the ex-
cessive use of the superlative, our read
ers must excuse us for parting com
pany with the positive and comparative
on this occasion. On each side of this
beautiful avenue, may be found thou
sands of pleasure-seekers, costly seated
outside of the innumersble cafes, en-
joying their confab and bottle Of wine,
while the inside is one continuous glow
of mirror. gilt. and gas. Every grade
of society, nationality, and costume,
may here be found-from the gray
haired man Of business, to the leaders
of the denai monde. All are jumbled
together; all enjoying themselves-all
moving in a whirl of intoxicated
, pleasure gesticulating earnestly, yet
gracefully. as only French people can
while here and there, the Omnipresent
costumed, lynx-eyed gendarme, il
slowly pacing his accustomed beat
OF course, all this is fascinating
though we feel like applading the state
ment of the Rev. Mr.. Milburn, that t.
enjoy true happiness, he would sooner
spend an hour in one of the happy
homes Of England, than a year in the
giddy capital of France. But we have
seen enough of this for one night. Al
arcade opens which leads to less in
viting quarter, and as we are anxious
to witness alike the sunshine and the
shade-which even Paris affords-we
willingly enter it This is anothe1
world. A different race of being
seem to inhabit it, Here is the rag
picker-the misunderstanding ever
nook and corner with his tiny lamp
raking into a receptacle, with mar
velous dexterity, the rags, bones, o.
paper which have accumulated since
his last nocturnal trip; there is th'
wife, bringing home to her humble
abode, the provisions for the incoming
week, and here again is the workman
there is no installing his appearance
Just returning from his labor, o.
amusement. And this, all this, is Paril
the Paris that turns the heads of hal
Of our American snobs, and the hearts
(when they have any, Of most o
our American bellies. But it is long
past midnight. On our return, WI
find the theatres are closed the
throng is dispensing, and as we ar'
anxious to make the most Of the NOR
row, we follow the example, and re
trace our steps to our starting place
the London and Paris Hotel.
In the morning, we are accosted, be
fore leaving, by a stranger, whose
card styles him "guide to visitors,
and who is anxious to accompany Us
on our tour through the city. a bar
gain is soon struck, and after agree.
ing to pay for his lunch and dinner
we are ready to follow his lead. The
first place we visit is the Church Of
the Madeleine" with its fifty-two noble
Corinthian pillars and gorgeous facade.
The structure itself is enormous, yet
its proportions are SO finely blended,
that an inside view must be obtained
before we can form a correct idea Of
it's immensely. But if the outside
view is grand. what must we say Of
the interior? The fittings are superb
the paintings and statuary are beauti-
full beyond description. The domes,
of witch there are three, have been
decorated by masters hand, and
throw a mellow, soothing light around
the structure. The priest is preach
ing his mornings sermon TO a small,
though apparently attentive audience.