Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-07-19

fARlS, july oth.
A Frenchman seems never to be in better
humor and never better satisfied with himself
and the world generally, than in celebrating
the oft recurring fete days. Business for the
most part ceases, and every body turns out to
have good time, and to celebrate the day as
best suits their respective positions. 1t is the
working class that particularly delights to be
freed from the daily tasks, and to find some
pleasant out OF door sport, where with the
conventional bottle of wine and loaf of bread
for lunch the time is spent in quiet or in noisy
demonstrations, as the character of the DAY
cOmmemOrated demands.
THE WORKING CLASSES IN FRANCE.
A casual observer is particularly struck with
the absence OF what we call the genuine poor
class here. To see beggar on the street is
an exception. They all have some work to do,
and the fact that they take their time about it,
perhaps a good thing for the country in the
end; It keeps them at work longer, and gives
work work TO- to more IH men. This. however, won't
solve the labor "a M difficulties in our. country,
especially IN washington, where the penny
lunch room habltueS are as slow as any other
class OF people in working when they have
something to 40: The prosperous condition of
the working classes of France, results, how
ever, from much better cauSe-whch gives
France such high stand among the civilized
nations, no matter under how heavy loads she
something; from youth they are taught some
trade or are SchOoled in some branch of in
duStry winch Will put bread into their mouths,
however hard the times may be.
They may not be able to get employment in
the manufactures but up in the little garrets
OF those immense houses they can work night
and DAY upon some OF those delicate pieces of
handiWerk which are SO famous all over the
world for their unique designs and wonderful
Workmanship. These they can always dispose
OF in the many channels that are open. This
Is one way to explain the continual prosperity
OF the people, although there may be. and
doubtless are, better and deeper reasons to be
found. But whatever the reason, French work
men can always take part in all the holiday
celeDratlons, with light heart and neatly
dressed.
THE GRAND NATIONAL FETE
last Sunday in cOmmemOratiOn of the French
republic and the prospo rity of the country
which included, OF course, the assured success
OF the Exposition, was one Of the grandeSt of
the kind imaginable: 1t seemed as if every
person in Paris and its surroundings took
part, and the streets were crowded. The beau
tlful city was decked in holiday attire from
one end to the other. Everybody felt able to
purchase at least tr-color flag. and wave it
really begin until after nightfall, when the city
seemed in a blaze of light. Illuminations
shone everywhere. The principal points of
interest were, however, from the Palace of the
Tuileries, up the. Avenue of the Champs Ely.
sees, and out as FAR as the BOiS de BOulOgne.
THE ILLUMINATIONs
were something wonderful. On the Champs
Elysees gas Jets were extended along both
sides and many fantastic and striking designs
glttered everywhere. Little glasses of differ
ent cOlOrs, with wick in the center, sur
rounded by the melted candle, are the usual
means of Illuminating. The glasses can be
held in any position desired by a piece of wire
twisted about them. The avenue of the Bois
dc BoulOgne was simply lndeScribable. From
one end to the other, chandeliers of these diff
ferent colored glasses were on all sides, and
also extended across the avenue at short in
tervals. The Bois itself looked like fairy land
The trees and bushes were all illuminated in
M nyIyd Il
the winding paths, aud upon the shores of the
lakes, and thoroughly enjoyed the beautiful
spectacle. 1t was here that the fireworks
ment, the Trinmphal Arch, never 1,ve 'ioS IooH-
ed grander. All that was needed for
it to attract particular attention and
to surpass everything else in splendor was
the single row Of gas jets which encrcled it
near the top. No carriages were allowed from
the gardens of the TuillerieS to the Bois de
Boulogne, and the foot passengers had the
Vulnerable genSd'armes armed soldiers were
stationed at different points to preserve order,
s put their services were not needed. Never
was was theIe TN better natured crowd, and there
was no more disorder than the continual sing
ing of the MarSeillaise. and loud cries of "ViVe
la Republique." Everybody was crowded, but
NOBODY nc seemed to mind it, and the expressions
OF PardOn' were heard on all sides. The
word pardon" by the way, comes to a
Frenchman's lips as easily as red wine goes to
them; but the after actions often throw a
went out at midnight the crowds dispersed
tired but cOntented.
THE FOURTH OF JULY
was celebrated by the Americans in Paris with
the customary picnic. A committee. composed
OF number of the most influential Americans
here, made all the arrangements for grand
celebratlon b at RE Catelan, beautiful spot in
the the Bois de Bologne-that grandest of all parks.
Ihe day was celebrated and enjoyed, but the
committees arrangements were very poor,
except for champagne. The dinner was held
IN temporary tent, and was very good when
it was possible to reach it, But in true Amer.
lean style, everybody crowded about the fcs-
tive board at once. After the squabble for
dlnner, speech making was indulged in. 1t
speeches in honor of the day we celebrate
Remarks were made by Mr.. krantz director
general OF the Exposition: Governor McCor.
mick; n the Minister to BELGIUM. President A.
D. White, of Cornell University; Mr.. Hit and
Mr.. Cunlitfe Owen. Then followed some fire
works, and afterwards there was to have been
some dancing on the rough floor of the dinner
tent, but through some blunder the musicians
were sent home too early The picnic ad-
jOurned, and many people had to walk two or
three miles before cab could be found. New
ertheleSS it was Fourth of july and every
body had good time.
GILMORE's BAND
has arrived. and their first concert was held
yesterday afternoon, at the TrOcaderO. The
audience audi e., was not as large as it should have
agent placed him in a bad predicament. When
he arrived here, day before yesterday, he
found that his concert had not been adver.
tised, but he pluckiy kept his engagement.
The band played very well, indeed, and it is
generally acknowledged that it is better now
than ever before. Miss Norton sang The
Star-Spangled Banner and Home, Sweet
HOme," beautifully. She has very fine voice.
and was enthusiastically received yesterday.
The French papers this morning are not very
loud in their praises of the American band
They acknowledged Miss Norton'S beautiful
voice, but were rather severe on the music of
the "Star Spangled Banner" They didn't
exactly see the fitness of things in Miss Nor
toms appearing with a military band. 1t is a
rule that no concert shall be given at the
TrOcaderO in uniform, but the band played
in theirs yesterday. 1t was decided after
some correspondence, that it would be per.
mltted, as no battle was ever fought in their
uniform After the concert yesterday the
a number OF national airs They, however
did not receive as good care as their Kindness
should have insured for them.
WASHINGTONIANS IN PARIS.
Americans are arriving here very rapidly
some familiar ones. Mr.. JnO j. Knox Mr. j.
w. BOteier and wife and Mr.. ChaS. A. Wet.
more, are among those whose names are
| familiar to WASHINGTON, who have arrived
| within the past few days, and are now doing
| the exposition. R. X,
| IN VIEW of the reports of the existence O
| yellow fever On board the U. S. vessel Yer
mont and at the Naval hospital, New York,
Acting Secretary of the Navy Devens has tel