The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-08-13

Of fixed price, ct the outlay Of eighteen
cents; from the smart commercial traveller |
or man Of business who Is an hdbitse OF
Duvars to the laborer outof work who
can Just afford to pay Eve sous for an or
dinaire in the mysterious region OF the
little California, away down near the
Boulevard Moutrouge; Parisians OF oil
classes, provided with purses long or
short will always enjoy, or appear to en-
10y. be il sumptuous or spare Ell,
Let us suppose ourselves ~ the realms
of mammon, at the corner OF the Boule q
ward des Italiens and the Hue Lattta, the
treouenter of the Boulevard viii point ont
10 the foreigner to whom he acts as guide,
a high noble looking house. the window or.
lamentations Of which still retain the
traces of the copions gliding lavished on
them years ago, but now nearly efaced BY
the mordant tooth Of time, 1t is the
usaison Doree of world wide fame. The
splendor of its exterior gliding may have
been furnished, but enter. and the most
fastidious taste will be satisfied by the
rich, elegant, aud yet simple decorations
displayed within. The demands OF the
most highly cultivated epicure can be ca
tered to here, but as in other establlsh'
ments that will describe, lagos abmoni-
ton: HPat money in thy purse, holds
GOOD. put money in your purse, plenty OF
money. A large number of the neat little
round pieces. bearing the efiRy OF Louis
NAPOLEON and worth four dollars sRehi put
Them in YOUR pocket with the expectation
of leaving a large number OF them at the
rose wood counter, behind which sits the
neatly dressed female cashier, tor without
such provision, and such intention you had
better stop at the door, But if you wish
to unveil the mysteries of Epicurus, the
picture being framed with the most exqui-
site surroundings, you must enter the
temple of the condoNbleu. you must ascend
the carpeted staircase which leads to the
sumptuous cabinets up stairs. There you
will find the walls set in stone, inlaid with
flowers in mother-of-pearl displayed in
varied and fantastic design. Sofas over
ed with rich velvets or silk damssks court
the gaze, and invite repose. kich
curtains soften the light OF day.
while lustres sparkling with
thousand corruscations scatter the rays
of their gas flames at night. Venetian
mirrors multiply the room, and make il
appear ten times larger than il is, for the
space is limited and the cabinets seem
made but for cosey tete q tete. Let US
take an indirect peep into one OF these
mysterious little chambers; the company
there is composed of two gentlemen and
two ladies. The former are already of q
certain age, their hair and whiskers are
blanching, they are of distinguished aris-
tocratic exterior, and the little many color
ed ribbons 10 their buttonholes denote
them as men Of high position. They are
dignifed, smiling. quiet. The ladies, on
the contrary, are hilarious to the extreme,
dressed in the finest satin and lace, and
scintillent with diamonds. They are both
elegant, beautiful women. Seen in the
street they might be taken for duchesses.
But there is an indescribable want of pol
| ish in their manners, faint tinge Of vul-
garity that betrays the want of early good
breeding, and, in spite of their superb
cially attractive conversation, those accus
toned to all features of the beau monde
will take them directly for what they are
namely actresses from one of the smaller
theatres.
/ On the line of Boulevards frop the Ma
delaine to the Rue Poissonniere restaurants
of the highest order are very numerous
and each is celebrated for some specially
and has usually particular class OF pa
irons. The members of the sporting clul
prefer the cafe AnRlais, renowned for it
delicious salmon. There is one room il
this establishment that can boast of Euro
pean fame. What scenes both gay anC
serious have taken place in No. Is. Con
gratulatory dinners TO celebrated author,
aud artists, and solemn festivities between
diplomstists when the fate of Europe hunI
10 the balance. ARTHUR.