Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1878-06-13
FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.

(From our Regula. Correspondent.)

. Paris Letter. s "'t
From our Regular Correspondent.)
: PARIS, May 18th, 1878.
a have spent but two days on the EXPO.
sition grounds, my time having been taken
up nisinly 10 secanas lodgings. and with
the many thi.ss that Y krSsn American
has to contend. On entestps, for the first
/. time, new counkry; which, no matter
what may have besa his preparations, he
will find sufficiently confusing to give him
some annoy ance, and cost him some money.
For the present, shan write OF things A
they appsar 70 me, after very imperfect
examination, and try to reflect the impress
sions they make upon me. This, am
persuaded, will be safer role than if
were to attempt, after four days residence,
to write As one perfectly familiar with this
great Exposition, great city, great people,
and of course, fall.
The Exposition impresses me, at first
siSht, as being even more distinctively
krench, than was ours American; more OF
national fair, and less of a worlds fair
than We had at Philadelphia. It will be
remembered that, at our Centennial, we
took the trouble to translate circulars. no.
tees, signs, directions In the street cars.
etc., into the French, German, Italian, and
spanish, languages. Nothing Of the kind
Is done here; although there are, perhaps,
In Paris, afty times as many people ignor-
ant of the French language, as there were
In Philadelphia, who did not know English.
The French are the least polyglot OF all
civilized people; their vanity will not al.
low them to admit the existence of any
other language. But the spread OF that
language which philolosists, OF whatever
nationality, have prophesied, will one day
be universal, Is felt powerfully In Paris.
II shopkeeper has a salesman, saleswom.
an, or errand boy, that can speak ever so
little English, he is sure to write on his
window, in large gilt letters, English
spoken
The exhibits Of other nstionalities have
the same general features that character
ized them at Philadelphia, and, In some IL.
stances, the precise articles. This Is par
tIcuiarly noticeable in the department OF
fine arts, where those who were at pbils-
deiphia in 1876, Will see some familiar
pictures. The French art section, | am
Told by one of who Is familiar with the SUBJ
ject' presents rather Il series of revived
memories than of new sensations. Very
Ie" actual novelties are shown; the gems
Di The last decade have been collected from
ne different salons, aud distributed In the
galleries OF the Exposition, with dazzling
'nect. The gallery OF the Luxumbowery
ias been robbed Of Its lates, acquisitions,
5 In state OF incompIeteness, hor can 1t
,e regarded as q fair representation OF our
rational art. Owing probably TO the short
,ess OF time allotted to our atIsts for prep
.ration, but few of our prominent painters
ire represented. The visitor sees nothing
national or distinctive In this section, and
an American nothing that reminds him OF
lome or country. Our artists seem to
have borrowed all their inspiration from
foreign scenery, and foreign subjects, and
not have found anything worth reproduc-
ng at home. Our section is fortunate in
two such fine works as the
Funeral of n Mummy by Mr.. Bridge
man; and The Death of Nandeor Chief
why could not the artist have worked his
genius on the Funeral Of an Indian chief,
subject quite as rich in picturesque and
dramatic element. And what is there more
tragic in the death of royalist OF La Ven
dee, than In that of the man who yields his
life In faith or fanaticisln for any other
cause? VIII we never excel in the pro-
ductop of anything but plows, and prima
donas?
will write more in detail about the Ex-
DO sltlon when l have had time to give it
more careful study. To Americans dis
posed to come here this year, Puneh's ia
nous advice about getting married. Is good:
don't" The wonders of the Exposition
are, little, when compared with the won
ders of Paris, and Paris can be seen with
much less expense In a year from now.
Prices, everybody tells me, have been
doubled. IL is not necessary to say more
in emphasis of their exorb lance than that
they are higher than they were at PhIladel-
phia the drst few weeks of our Centennial
Admission TO the Exhibition costs only
twenty cents, but the visitor will scarcely
get out without having paid more; IL woaid
sound ridiculous, and not nice. to tell OF
some of the things tor which these super
naturally refined Frenchmen charge.
G. A. 8.