The herald and mail. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1873-188?, 1874-09-11
Az BON MARcHE.

Au Bon Marche, or the Place of Bar
gains, is the unpretending title borne by
the largest, gayest, and most famous of
all the many shops of Paris. Every
body knows it. Even Mrs. Spendthrift,
who arches her eyebrows, and intimates
that the name is vulgar, and that, for
her part, she prefers to pay more, and
deal with establishments whose CONNER
cial status is less broadly limited, is con-
stantly met there. She has her veil
down, and is disposed to dodge the eyes
of her acquaintance but there she is.
"Doing commission" she tells you /;
bat YOU don't believe a word of 1t. Why
should we go to the Bon Ma che simply
for the sake of others, when there is so
much to tempt on ones own account?
Such an immense, dazzling, shifting
world as it is! Miles of counters stretch
off in every direction, like the rays of
star-fsh. Thousands of people are
walking about, yet the place does not
seem crowded. Tempting things con-
front you at every turn, all ticketed In
plain figures all cheap, or seeming so
to American eyes, which do not really
take in such marvels as good four-but-
toned kid gloves for dollar, or full
trimmed black silk petticoats for four
teen. The number and variety of arti-
cles are almost incredible. Provision is
there for every human want. Adam and
Eve, fresh from Eden, could enter by
one door. and at an hours end walk
forth from another, completely equipped
from head to foot, from stockings to UNI
breIIa. Next day, if so minded, they
could return and exchange all these pur-
Il. T.. LfrTozN FiNnCc
has been cut, even if it has been fitted
for her, it will make no difference. The
privilege of exchange at the Bon
Marche is unlimited as the privileges
of purchase. Nay, Eve is even insti-
gated to change her mind, for at the
top of her bill she will find this printed
notice: "M. Aristide Dourcicault trusts
that the ladies making purchases OF his
establishment will feel entirely at lib
erty to bring them back if for any rea-
son they desire to do so, receiving at
their option other goods in return or
their money p And unless Eve has a
stronger mind than some of her daugh-
tiers she will not disdain now and then
to avail herself of this extraordinary
privilege.
But the distinguishing feature of the
Bon Marche, the point in which 1t ex-
GELS similar shops, is not this privilege
of exchange, is not even the exquisite
aud accurate fairness of its every trans
action, which will compass sea and
land to rectify mistake of ten sous in
an account, but the unvarying cheerful
ness, readiness, and good humor of its
employes-readiness which never de-
generates into urgency, and good hu-
NOR which never seems to fail, however
taxed. Never once have I observed in
a clerk of the Bon Marche that sudden
change from "gay to glum, from lively
to severe" which in other shops falls
and envelopes you like pail as soon as
YOU announce your decision not to buy.
Commenting on this fact to a resident
of Paris, / was told that the system
pursued by the Bon Marche toward its
employees was new and unique, different
from that of other establishments of the
same class.
sect leave to see if you can," ad-
vised my friend. cit is good deal
talked of Just now among the phllan-
thropists of Paris. You will be inter-
ested."
So I asked for leave, addressing my
self to dignifed, gray haired chef de
rayo1a, or manager of a division, we
should say at home. 1 was American,
and particularly pleased to hear of
schemes for promoting the comfort OF
working people. Might 1 see the Bon
Marche from top to bottom? Nothing
could be more cordial than his reply.
Certainly. He would conduct me him
self. Trouble? Pardon it would be
a pleasure. And calling some one to
take his place, he led the way up stairs.
First into the library. had seen it
before, but was glad to see it again.
This pleasant retreat for weary shoppers
is large, well-hghted room, with book
cases, easy-chairs, and long table on
which lie all the leading periodicals
French, English, and German. There
are fine engravings and photographs,
stereoscope, and giant kaleidoscope
for the amusement of little people.
The library is seldom without occupants.
Old ladies and gentlemen go there to
read the papers while their younger COM
panions pursue the business of the
hour, Children and nurses find quiet
corner tired ladies steal away to con-
suit their purses and shopping lists.
And lust beyond is refreshment of an
another kind, for an open door reveals
tiny, tasteful restaurant, with buffet
and a Widespread table bearing plates
of cake and sponge-biscuit. Nothing
could be more elegant than this little
room and its appointments. The linen
and china are of the finest. A superb
screen of Japanese silk painted with
birds and flowers cuts off draughts.
Always a dollhouse plant in freshest
bloom ornaments the table. A footman
in blue livery brings your plate and
glass of red wine or Orgeat. You offer
a pratuity: he shakes his head it is
not permitted, he tells you. All the
shopping world can come at will and re-
fresh themselves In this dainty bower,
whose faggons fail not, and whose
,nadeleines and tartlets seem to renew
themselves miIaculously, like the wild
ow's cruise of oil.
Large as is the Bon Marche, another
year will see it larger yet: An immense
addition is building. When finished,
the library and restaurant will open in
to fine picture gallery, whose dome
will exhibit medallions of all the great
French inventors and pioneers in me-
chanical discovery.
NV guide leads up another stair to
AOOLg q lux paw Vi hlAOu 10
occupied by a system of rooms and bu-
1eaus, intricate as those of a depart
ment of state, where goods for the prov
inces are packed. From thence we
mount to the lodgings of the employees.
"Hew many persons do you employ
in your establishment ?" I asked.
''Nine hundred and sixty in all, !" re-
piled my guide. "Two hundred and
more sleep on the premises, and all are
fed here. This is the side for women.
There are sixty of them, and they have.
as you see, a separate entrance and
staircase to themselves"
Knocking first, he opened two or
three bedroom doors. Nice little cham
bers all of them, airy and ample, with
two windows and fireplaces with CRATES.
White crocheted quilts covered the
beds thsre were curtained pegs for
hanging up dresses, low cane chairs
every thing as tidy and fresh as could
be. Some of the girls had each room
to herself, in others there were two.
els there an infrmary in the shop ?"
I queried. "How do youmanage if any
one is illP"
''If any one is Ill she is nursed in her
own chamber" replied the chef. 'We
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