Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-09-19
The MabiIIe Gardens.

An American lady, who was chided by an
over prudish friend for having Joined a party
of American ladies and gentlemen spend an
evening at the Mabille Gardens, responded,
well, [ admit it was naughty, but then it was
so NICE She contended that she had never
spent at any place OF amusement more agree
able evening, and had not seen half as much to
shock her sense of proprlety as could be seen
on the boards of our leading theatres during a
ballet season. The Garden itself, independent
of the scenes enacted, is one Of the most bril-
liant spectacles ever presented to the human
vision The number of gas jets in the Garden
is said to exceed fifty thousand, which, min
gled with the foliage Of the trees and flowers,
and artlstically arranged iu aud around the
dancing circle almost blinds the eye at times
with its briliancy. Then there are grottoes
and arbors and alcoveS, retreshment saloons,
and booths for various little games interSpersed,
all adding to the gay and festive scene. That
portion Of the garden intended for promenades
is only sufficiently lighted to give effect to the
illusion produced by some ingenious painter by
which the groves seem to extend indefinitely in
the distance, though really not more than
hundred yards in extent The trees, the grass,
the flowers, the fountains and the bushes, each
aud all throw forth their blaze Of light and con-
tribute to the general effect. A row of thirty
each almost twenty-five feet high, and both
columns and arch are one blaze of light. The
columns appear in the distance as if futed with
fire, and the arches and pillars are formed of
three rows of gas jets, and when viewed from
the circle, With the Intervening fountains and
large frosted globes, suspended from every avail
able point, presents a scene OF enchantment
surprising the genius of Mr. Getz to present in
scenic illusion
Whilst the adjuncts to the grand central at
traction of the Garden are like the visions ola
fairy tale, the dancing circle cclipses everything
else in its brilliant arrangement and the artls
tic use of gas. 1t is about two hundred and fifty
feet in diameter, with an elegant music temple
10 the centre, not quite SO large as the pagoda
iu Druid Hill, but capable of seating band Of
fifty musicians, the best that Paris can pro-
duce. An immense chandelier is suspended in
the centre with. eighty globes, and between
each of the ten columns three large globes are
suspended The temple being constructed Of
iron, emits gas jets at all points. Halfway be-
tween the temple and to the outer-clrcle are ar
ranged, equi-distant twelve large palm trees,
or at least iron representations OF the palm,
about thirty feet high and from their broad
leaves are suspend innumerable plum shaped
globes serving as chandeliers directly over the
heads of the dancers. The outer edge of the
dancing arena is encircled with twenty iron
arches, with double rows of gas jets going
entirely around, whilst from each arch three
mammouth globe lights are suspended. The
combination Is most charming to the eye 10
every direction, and each jet has evidently been
placed and arranged with view 10 It's scenic
effect from all other portions of the garden
when viewed
The audience consists of all classes so far as
standing in society may designate them, but In
appearance and dress they nearly all deport
themselves as ladies and gentlemen, excepting
of course the most reckless OF the dancers.
The price Of admission, five francs for gen
tleman and one for a lady accompanying him,
makes it somewhat select on the male side,
and keers away dsordery characters. How
ever, the fully equipped gendarmes, with
drawn swords, standing like statues at va
rious points in the Garden, is significant no.
tiication that order must be preserved, andit is
preserved with the strictest decorum. Nearly
all strangers visiting Paris, both ladies and gen
tlemen, spend at least one evening at the Ma
billie Garden, and even staid old English and
American mothers and fathers, with their
DAUGHTERS, can be seen nightly enjoying the
scene. All desire to 60, and when opportunity
offers the ladies' especially are sure to avail
themselves of it. They think they will go with.
out letting any of their acquaintance know OF
the contem plated indiscretion, but when there
they are sure to meet an acquaintance at every
turn, and by glancing around among the al
cores are apt to find the very ones trom Whom
they were most desirous OF concealng their
presence endeavoring to dodge their own vlslon
Many amusing scenes OF acqualnlances meeting
nightly occur and indeed II you desire to IND
out who are in Paris there is the place to meet
them.
The Gardens are opened at o'clock 10 the
evening, but it is 9 before dancing really COM
mences. The first comers are generally stran-
gers who think they will come early, view the
scene, aud retire before the sinners make their
appearance. They next become interested IN
the promenaders, who at 9 o'clock throng out
towards the circle with suddenness that al
most startles the beholder, and In few MIN
utes it is difficult to work ones way. through
the broad thoroughfares. The majority OF the
cyprians behave themselves with the dlgnlty
Of matrons and, with few exceptions, are MOD
estly arrayed, mingling with the promenaoers
until the dancing commences. After the per-
nrn,ance of several operate airs the band strikes
nm pallopade, and Immediately rings are
fnrmed in the circle around two or three OF the
finest female dancers. Partners are secured, and
soon thev are spinning around like teetotums,
with an exposure of finely formed limbs and an
ag;ltv that is seldom equalled on the stage.
There are, of course, some professional dancers:
both male and female, employed by the estao-
lishment, who lead off in those furious demon.
STATIONS, and the men frequently IN the midst
ofthe dance throw their heels over tneir part,
per's head The females are equally aglle' anu
when too far from the circle to see tnem' .lie
spectator can perceive the toes OF their pools
Aying over the heads Of the throng by wnom
they are surrounded. Although they wear m lcus
in air. all respects, including aesh-colored tights
and short pantalets
Saturday night is the gala night of the week. .
and Il is on these occasions that strangers most
" W visit the Mabie. From o'clock to midnight,
When nt the st gendarmes put stop to the dancing
and the musicians retire, there is no cessation
of this scene of wild abandon and unrestralneu nn,