The Opelousas journal. [volume] (Opelousas, La.) 1868-1878, 1872-12-28
Americans i'm Paris.


lEIOLI tApElCloAS natl
Confusion reignsamOngthe daughters
of Eve, writes NJ. BachaumOnt, i'll one of
the Paris papers. The Americans are
leaving us en- m0sse to go home and take
part in their presidential election, and
their departure is an incOmmensurable
loss to the budget gHldntof the capital.
If that, however, were all that's effect
ed by the return of the Americans to
their own country, | should deem it suf-
ticient to simply record the fact, without
uttering any very loud lamentatiOn but
it is the very lifeOf Paris that is endang-
cred by this stampede, and this is the
reason why it seems to me the matter
deserves more than a passing notice.
1t is America, i'll discriminating as
it may be to confess it-that for some
years has supported Paris, and has ena
bled her to lead this fOur-in-hand exist
ence that deceives even ourselves. There
have been times when La Grande Vile,
having exhausted her revenues, was in
capable, unaided, Of appearing in her
traditional splendOr. Thanks to the
Yankee, she has, however, until now
maintained her proud position; but,
when he goes, what will become of her?
Her prestige will disappear, andshe will
have to take her place among the have
beens, like Venice, Naples, Turin, Mos
COW, and many others.
Do not say | oyerstate the case. The
proofs of what | say, alas! abound. To
whom belong the finest hotels and man
sions of Paris? Tothe Riggses, the Sill
dellS, the Paynes, the SimOnses, the
how many, "and Sons & Co." Who
drive the finest equipages aux Champs
Elysees and all BEDSIDE BOulogne? The
Americans, ~toujours the Americans.
Who own the best boxes at the opera?
Your m%illiOnaires of Boston and New
York. What woman in Paris possesses
the most diamonds7 Madame ElisaMu-
sard, an American lady. Who spends
most money in Paris for pictures and
objects of art? The great American
merchant, Mr.. A. T. Stewart. Finally,
who furnishes the ~aristOcracy of the
FaubOurg St. German the mOstsubstan-
tial dOWries (and the prettiest womenH
Youthful America, who cOvets nothing
more, it would seem, than a high-sOund-
ing title!
And then, without the New World,
what would be our drawing-roOm life ?
Is it not the bellies of the Union who are
the brightest ornaments Of Il balls,
and are not the yiOlinistsmOre frequently
paid in dollars than in francs? 1t is as
tonishing to see how fond the French
are of taking part in social gatherings,
provided it be not in their own houses.
Formerly, a foreigner, who aspired to
keeping open house in Paris, was obliged
to secure the Endorsement o fsOme French
gentleman or lady of acknowledged po-
%sition, who determined the invitations
and controlled the presentations. Now
adays, this is quite unnecessary on the
contrary, if one would receive the " best
society,"" the first condition is, perhaps,
to know no one, and simply to open ones
doors to all.
A sOjOurn in Paris has a curious influ-
ence on the American character. While
it tends to emphasize more strongly the
A~nglO-Saxon character in the men, it
metamOrphOsesth the women into veritable
Pdrisiennes Of the day.
Full of animation, and of a bOuyanCy
of spirits that nothing can repress, free
and frank, yet modest and dignifed, the
American women have introduced into
our social life an element which would
be sorely missed.
The air of Paris, however, agrees with
them so well that there is little danger
of their remaining long away from us,
l confidently expect, therefore, that they
will persuade their husbands and fathers
to return to us as soon as their electoral
duties shall have been performed. They
may be sure of receiving a hearty wei,
come.