Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-04-04
a Letter from France,

VI N'ONN LII Il ti5N'
NICE, FRANCE, March 1, 1872.
An English family in our hotel cele-
brate the birthday of one of its members
by picnic and fireworks in the evening.
The picnic is private, but of course we
shall all enjoy the rockets, squibs,
wheels and Roman candles. Quite an
unexpected addition to the programme
is announced. One of the numerous
brotherhood of strOlling musicians re-
gales us with Italian songs and scientific
whistling His unusually fine voice and
remarkable blowing powers found d
good market as every one gives literally
for the sake of the day. He initiated
canaries and hooking birds almost tc
perfection. Inever heard such pure,
sweet, clear tones, almost rivalling the
birds themselves. Doubt very much il
it would be possible to decide at a little
distance which was mimic and which
the original. The custom of pleasantly
remembering the birthday of each mem
Der of the family is universal through
out England, and one worthy of our
imitation. Young John Bull demands
as an ancient right, as much plum pud-
ding as he can eat upon his natal day.
The next days chronicle is unwritten,
and this part of the programme might
be dispensed with for the sake of the
stomach of the rising generation. But
seriously these family festivals have a
wonderful influence in binding the
hearts of the children together, and ma
king home what it should be, the refuge,
the delight of all.
For the past two weeks the papers
have been full of the alabama Claims. "
see the London and Swiss Times and
the American Register, a Paris publica-
ton. The latter paper has made num-
erous extracts from the leading Cont
mental papers, showing the judgment of
Europe upon the American case and
English action in regard to it. Not one
journalist (and | have read the articles
of at least twenty-five but what con-
demns America for demanding such an
enormous sum for indirect damages.
Opinion is about equally divided as to
the Interpretation of the treaty; many
critics admitting that the letter is not
violated by either the English or Ameri-
can view; showing what beautiful
muddle the diplomats have concOcted.
Germany feels somewhat bitterly to-
wards England because of the sale of
the last war. She certainly would not
be preiudiced in Great Britain's favor.
yet the Prussian Cross Gazette "a stand
ard Sheet comments severely upon the
American case, and compares our bill of
damages to that of an old usurer whose
chief item is that he might have made
an speculation had the debts been paid
when due. Most of the journals which
admit thof i,,ta :
violate the letter of this famous dOCu-
! ment, distinctly state or mere prudentlv
hint, that it is not in accordance with
the spirit. Our government is very gen
orally accused of sharp practice or at
| least of conduct unworthy of a great
nation. OF all the defenses of our
lease that have read. not one seems
conclusive. England says: You can
Germany eXtOrted from France at the
point Of the bayOnet" America re-
plies: "Certainly not. We never
dreamed of receiving the amount named
or implied in our case" What then was
the object in presenting such claims.
The answer that every lawyer put his
damages at high figure seems rather
childish. Hardly better is the enemy
LlldJ ht pun III W dTu THESE II1ulTbCL
claims that they might be settled once
forever. 1t is scarcely necessary to set
tie claim that one party utterly refus-
es. to admit, aud which would have as
founded the other if allowed Ivy the ar
bitrat0rs. Som" writers have suggested
that President Grant preferred the indi-
rect claims for elcctiOneering purposes,
and as far as | can Judge from the ton"
Of the press Continental not English
this is the general impression.
The London Times has discussed the
question in a very friendly and lust
manner, of course holding the English
Interpretation, yet Is strictly combat
ting the idea that the United States were
insincere in their view. To use its own
words Granted that each nation has
misunderstood the intention of the other
it becomes the imperative duty of the
English and American statesmen to CON
vince their countrymcn that both nations
were equally honest and sincere in their
respective opinions
have sent two copies Of the London
Times containing several interesting ar
ticles on this question. If any one at
home has the time and inclination to
write me what is the general feeling
upon our position aud Englands action
in reference 20 it. l shall he much
obliged.
This afternoon we visited one Of the
mosaic wood stores, and Toasted our ewes
upon the beautiful things there. The
proprietor conducted rs into the shOp
whence proceeded these marvels of in
genuitv A half dozen men sat at car
penter's benches, busilv using saws with
wire-like blades Before each was an
assortment of different cOlored woods,
all natural except the blue and green.
Among them | noticed the p0me gran
ate, somewhat resembling black walnut.
but not so dark. The wood was worked
up into pieces about as large as your
two hands and not much thicker than
pasteboard. The artist wishes to repre-
sent peasant girl, for instance. He
draws an exact copy of her form upon
piece of dark wood almost as thin as
wafer. The color of the features and
every article of dress must be repro
duced to the life. Suppose she wears
leghorn hat with green ribbons The
workman selects straw-ColOred wood
and CLUES it to the back of the picture.
He then saws through the whole and
leaves our girl minus her hat, though
only for minute The morsel of straw
colored wood that comes out is of the
same size and shape as her hat and needs
only to be separated from its colorcd
representative, fitted into its place, and
made fast by little glue, to form the
nucleus of the little mosaic that is to be-
To make the ribbon, green wood takes
the place Of the straw-colored, and the
same process is repeated Any mistake
made by the artist in the selection of his
wood, spoils his work, although that
piece would have made his picture COM
plete. Great care and nicely of taste