The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-10-18
THE "BON MARCHE."
ANOrHKR ACCOUNT OF THE GREAT PARIS SHOP
PING BAZAAR.

OF the great retail ShOp OF ParlS, the " Dol
Alarche, was given. A correspondent of the
New York Post gives some further interesting
particulars.
Almost every American, says the writer, who
comes to Paris finds himself sooner or later
IN the wonderful store called "Bon Marche,
on the Luxembourg side of the Seine. When
visited it for the first time, it was because
had heard SO much said by old residents here
OF the great assortment of its goods and its
remarkably cheap prices. "Gagner peu zen
DIRE ocoucsup, is the motto of the establish
ment, and right royalty is it carried out But
since my first visit l have gone there fire.
quently to make real study of its customs,
and HAYS been each time more im pressed
with tho wonderful attention paid to details
throughout the whole establishment Let me
call your attention to some of these which
would escape the notice of the casual pur-
chaser.
The exterior of "Bon Marche is not very
imposing, although it covers an immense
area and occupies portion of three streets
1t is only when one enters the building and
attempts to pass from one department to
another that its vast extent is realized. 1t
employs about 1900 clerks (of whom 20 are
women), besides 215 porters. The closely
adjacent stables of the establishment con-
tain SO horses and IS wagons to convey
goods about the city. Every European Ian
guage is spoken in the store, so that repre-
sentatlves of any nationality may there
purchase goods completely at their ease
For example, there are about sixty English
speaking clerks, some of whom do nothing
but act in the capacity of interpreters
These clerks all take their meals in the
building, in separate detachments. The i'm
mense dining-hall is overhead and can ac-
commodate about three hundred and fifty
at a time. All the female clerks live in the |
building having their sleeping apartments
ard petit saloon and dining hall distinct |
from that of the men. Two thousand bottles |
of wine are consumed by the clerks daily. In |
response to an inquiry onmy part as to the OBJ
Ject OF this system, the reply was that it was
found to save time and to promote unity of
feeling and action among the clerks to thus
1--we together. There is no waste in the man
agement Of the food, as the number of eaters
is known exactly. One of the clerks assured
me that the board was excellent and gave en-
tire satisfaction. This board is really, of
course, a part Of their salary, although in
ready money these statesmen generally receive
from $1,000 to $780,
he care taken of the clerks out of business
1ours. The store being closed at O'Clock,
here is provided for them pleasant reading
DOM, in which is wen-selected ibrary and
'ery many of the French and foreign Jour
lals. Besides this there is an excellent bill
lard room, with several good tables, and
music room with many instruments at the dis
'osal of those unsteady inclined In ad-
tion to this, NJ. Boucicault, the proprietor
1 " Bon Marche,' has organized classes in
he English and German languages and in
ocal and instrumental training, to which the
Jerks DESTROYS of self-improvement are ad-
aitted gratis to enjoy the instruction of excel
INT teachers. should say here that the bill
ard and reading rooms are open freely to the
at "Bon Marche" during the
ay.
If a husband gets tired of waiting for his
tie to select ''bonnet" silk, or to decide
pom piece of thread lace, he can amuse
imself with the billiard cue and find an
.tentive servant in livery ready to record his
olnts. Or he can while away An hour over
10 papers In the readng-room can write a
oxen letters at as many desks in the same
rats can find standard books in the library,
hich an attendant will at once bring him or
IN even find score or two of very good
slntings to criticise in a pleasant picture
allery on the story above And vet one
onder remains unmentioned refreshment
'om for women and children, where wine and
Ike are furnished gratis to weary purchasers.
ljoins the reading-room
confess that, had read of all this before o,
eng it and inspecting the various depart "
ents of which l have spoken, 1 should have ne
spected the presence of the inimitable Mr..
Irnum somewhere in the neighborhood.
1t it is without a trace of sensationalism. 81
d is just what it pretends to be-a vast -.
adjustment, providing with wonderful care "
: the wants and comforts of both clerks and
rchaseas. I'm
There are but two owners of this store, Mr..
ucicault and son. They give certain shares
the profits to seven men, who are really the
i've managers of the business. Yet, as
'ss can be dismissed uncerem oniously at
= time, n. Boucicault holds the reins always
his own hands. The whole establishment
therefore virtually under one chief, whose
I'd is law. 1t has been raised to its present Ist
'ition from small shop with but forty
rks. GO,
There seems to be throughout the whole
re remarkable spirit Of cooperation, fos- ira
ed, suppose, by the manner of living to-
her enjoined upon the clerks, and also by etc
way in which II. Boucisault appeals to
m for their aid and suggestions For in car
ace, he recently offered to his men prize
live hundred francs for new ideas in regard
! certain improvement which he was con
plating. Ia the great dining-room | saw car
oSIuB StatlnS tnat Sucn ana such improve
ITS were wanted, and calling for plans or
gsstions from the clerks, which, if accept
would meet with suitable reward
have, perhaps dwelt too long and too
n in detail upon this subject; but let me
70 in assuring the purchaser at "Bon Is
che" that it will well repay him to look ,
: the establishment little and solace him r.
with the billiard table, while the aggra- "a,
ng business of shopping is conducted "''
lis better half
H IMPARTIAL PALACE OF ULYSSES LII
VS. show which way the wind blows it is con
evident that Mr.. Grant expects 70 occnpy
Presidential Office for another term. 30
placed himself at the head Of a powerful
, the purpose of which is to induce Cen
S, at its next session, to authorize the
tiou OF new executive mansion in the
srn part Of Washington. Grant proposes
Sc the old Write House as business
Quarters, and to use the new one only a.
imperial palace, where the family may be Leu
aloof from the intrusion OF visitors Of go