Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-05-18
THE PARIS EXPOSITION.
Havre-The Valley of the Sefne-On
to paris-PreparatiOn for the EN-.
P0sitfOn-frenchW Ways and French
WOrkmen.

Correspondence OF The Erening Star.l
PARIS, April 9th, 1878
Editor Stdr:-When last wrote you l had
just arrived on the shores of sunny France
Havre, which was the destination of the Ports
mouth. is quite an interesting city, and one
could be content for some time with it, until
Paris had once been visited, and then no
more Havre. remained at the latter place
one week, waiting for the discharge of the
cargo of the Portsmouth. My first impress
siOns of the French, received upon the docks
OF Havre, were that they make use of all
means and convenienceS for the accomplish
ment of their undertakings. but as individual
W0rkmen they are OF very little account For
OF DOCKS and here and there are large iron
cranes, so that when vessel arrives with a
cargo, cars are run alongside, the crane
swings round and the vessel is relieved Of her
cargo in short time. The goods for the EN-
position were taken from the Portsmouth.
loaded on The cars under the eyes of a custom
mouse 91hcer, and transported to the interior
OF the Exposition buildings; but in doing so
the French workmen themselves were very
inferior. Their horses are large and power
IIuiy bullt, but they seem to partake of the
laZlneSS OF their masters. In removing the
cargo OF the Portsmouth it took two horses
and three men to do what one little boy and a
morse did in New York with even a less com
blnatiOn of tackle. The men would, when
they felt inclined, drop their work and 90 to a
neighbOring cafe for a drink and take their
'umf pnris IN doing doing It: Later, after arriving in
men engaged at the Exposition, and came to
the conclusion that the wonderful architectu-
RAJ achlevementS of the Frtnch are accom-
plshea an So raPidy d by M the large numbers OF
cellence on the part OF the wOrkmen.
HAvRE TO PARIS.
| left Havre Saturday. April 18th, and took
my first ride on European railroad. Every
beautiful spring day. and the fresh grass and
blooming frult trees added to the beauty of
the landscape. The ride from Havre to Paris
IS a very pleasant one. Everywhere are neat
little thatched cottages, with an occasional
brick structure; well cultivated and well irri-
gated helds, and everything everywhere in the
neateSt order.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF PARIS.
MY hrst impressions of Paris were beautiful
streets and buildings, dust and soldiers
forms; but all that have vet vel Seem Seen seem Ito to
lack something of the characteristics of SOL
dier, In marching they don't carry themselves
at all Wen, and seem to lag in their walk, not
OF marines arrived they marched down the
street from the depot and attracted a great
deal OF attention by their good carriage and
soldier like appearance.
A visit to the Exposition buildings gave very
little promise OF the EXpOsitions being ready
by the lst OF May. Everything seemed in al
unfinished condition, and the only nation
which showed any probability of having its
exhibits ,;l anything like prepared was the Eng
OUR CENTENNIAL AND THE FRENCH ExPo-
SITION.
1t is impossible to form any opinion, as yet,
of the Exposition. 1t will undoubtedly be Su-
perlOr to our Centennial in many respects: for
instance, Ill architectural deSign and decOra-
tlOnS, and the representations of the fine arts
AS for myself, however, l don't like the build
ings near as well. They cover large amount
of space, but from the interior one cannot get
q Grandeur and immanSitV - IN no
main building at Philadelphia There, the
different representations were so distinctly
defined and separated: but here. the visitor
what he wants. The surroundings at our EX-
position were much more attractive. Here,
there is nothing like FairmOunt Park. but
immense factory, excepting, of course. the
TrCcaderO which is on the opposite side of the
river. One thing l am positive Of-the Paris
Exposition will be far inferior to the Centen-
nial as respects administration. Nobody
knows anything about anything, and nobody
cares to find out. The Exposition will have to
lun itself There is marked contrast between
the way France was treated at Philadelphia
and America at Paris. To tell the truth. |
don't believe in French politeness. 1t is ali on
the outside. 1t is dOfting the hat, and pardon,
Monsieur" Tor nothing, but a kick when the
back is turned.
THE Space ALLOTTED AMERICA
Is very small and the roofs are so low that
representation the United States VIII make
promises to be very creditable, although of
course it will not not compare with some of
the others, supOn which so much money and
time have been expended. England, for in-
stance, is reported to have spent two million
pounds Oh her representation. Ii our exhibit
IS creditable it will be greatly owing to the
ability and hard work of Commissioner Gener-
al Mccormick. The care taken and work done
at home in getting everything under way in
an orderly manner, have proved very bene-
ticial when it comes to placing the exhibits
VI nd in
well as others. our representation will be
superior to that at Vienna. There everything
was delayed until arrival on the grounds and
the consequence was continued state of con-
fusion. The goods as fast as they arrive here
are deposited Immediately upon the space of
the exhibitor. The delay in the Wyoming and
the Constellation, was of course drawback
but Notwithstanding America is as far ad-
vanced as any of the other nations. Cover
nor Mccormick was obliged to send down to
Havre for some American sailors to do some
work. Everybody was disguised with
THE FRENCH WORKMEN.
They will scarcely do anything without an
occasional pour boire," as they call it, to go
off and get drink with Fifteen sailors come
and do more work in day than twice the
number of Frenchmen. They seem to take
pride in showing the French how to work
france Is by no means as well prepared as one
would expect, but seems to rely on her prOx-
unity and ability to get ready at short notice
Already the visitors are beginning to pour
into the city, and the people are advancing
their prices in everything. Cheap living i'm
Paris is myth, and just now, especially it is
particularly expensive here. The people are
for the cost OF the Exposition by preying upon
the strangers, and particularly Americans.
r. X