The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-08-20
How French Spectators Build
Towns by Puffery.
BOHEMIA IN ETRETAT.
Editors and Actresses Holiday
Making.
Wild Table Talk and Mad Dancing Below
the Sea Level.
ETRETAr, July 10, 1873.

ETRETAT, July TO- 1873
FECAMP TO ETRETAT
II might advise tourist anxious to see many
varieties OF Frenchmen in short time would
recommend his starting from Dieppc, branching
OF to Fecamp by way Of Rouen and then follow ing
the coast line to the west, through Yport to
Etretat, as have just done. Fecamp will attract,
and maybe detan, the tourist who loves old time
Frenchmen and can accommodate himself to the
language, manners and diet OF fifty years ago.
Beer is not esteemed there, liberal journals are
little patronzed and foreign papers are almost un-
known. Fecamp is one OF the only towns In the
north where have seen Frenchmen Stake their
thirst with currant syrup and settler water and
considering the fatal effect which British or Stras-
burg ale is apt 10 produce on the French mind
making it turn by turn uproariously hilarious or
stolidly added, 1t Is comfort that the visitors to
this one place at least should ceave to the prn-
ciple that Frenchmen have no need Of malt liquors
to make them lively. That competition in holy
water, though, Is sorry business, and the sight OF
three old ladies returning to the hotel this morn
ing with quart bottle OF each sort Of
water In their hands set me musing
on the possibility or third miraculous
source being some day started by believer with
an eye to profits and on the consequent bewilder-
ment that might thence accrue. AS 1t is, am told
"a
sources together and ascrbe the honor OF all good
results that may attend the mixture to both
springs impartiay; needless, to add, however,
that the propretors OF the springs take different
view OF the matter, anathematize each other mu-
tually, with vigor that must be bracing to the
nerves when the weather Is cool. The better to
mark their antagonism the one has set up as egiti
mist, the other as Bonapartist.
MODERN ANTIQUES.
Before leaving Fecamp visited the mandatory
OF the 3enedictine lqueur (the rival to Chartreuse
for those who think that Curacao and Maraschino
are not enough for a mans wants. and the Mu-
scum OF Antiquities thereto attached. II Is In the
Rue Theagene Bouart formerly Rue Aux Ynifs)
and ought to be seen Tor It's rich collection OF
monastic relics, drawn mostly from the Abbey Of
Fecamp. There are carved oak stalls, chalces,
stained glass and much beautiful furniture
OF Louis xiv. and Louis XIV. reign,
but Americans should be cautioned against being
led away by their admiration OF these things into
buying any or the reputed relics offered so plentt
fully Tor sale In all Norman towns. mandatory
for relics exists Pantn Paris and 1t Is thence
that most OF the old morions, breastplates buh cab
inets and even the galleries Of family portraits
that stock French country houses are derived
know o Frenchman who made his fortune on the
Bourse and soon after invited me to what he called
| his chateau, in Louyaine 1t was new built place
redolent OF fresh paint and varnish, but contained
antiquities enough TO set curiosity shop walking
After showing me tankards. swords and battl,
axes which his noble ancestors had used. he haltet
with much emotion opposite a breastplate with
hole in 1t and exclaimed, 'Tne founder OF GU
race wore this at the battle OF Agincourt and lie
out hts gallant hearts blood through this hole"
happened to he conversant enough with archeolog
to know that this particular fashion OF breast
plate was not worn till two centurie
alter AgncoEt And az to the gallant heart