Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1878-07-10

Yesterday Americans in Paris were able
to see pageant, common enough in Eu-
rope, but such as happily cannot be seen
on our side the Atlantic. Sixty thousand
troops, cavalry, infantry and artillery were
reviewed at the Bois de Bologne, II large
park just without the walls of the city. 1t
was an impressive spectacle both on nc
count of the large number in line and the
excellence of their drill and equipment.
Further than this, but little can be said in
praise. The men were not fine specimens
physically. With here and there IN ex-
ceptional individual the inf.ntry would be
called little men in America, and if, rs is
urged by military theorists, the success of
military operations in the future will de-
pend much upon the intelligence of the
common soldier-judging from appear
ances, France has little prospect of achev-
ing her lost prestige. 1t may have been
all in the eye. but it was impossible TO
look OF those long columns of neatly dress
cd. red pantalooned, blue coated, little
soldiers without imagining signs of the
deficient moral, mental and physical STAN
ina that enabled the Pru>sians to hurl
them with such ease from the Rhine upon
The city of Paris. They would not do ii
with the same ease to-day, because there
is much serious determination in these
soldiers, with all their French concelt.
They explain their defeat upon the theory
that they were sold out by their generals,
and when we remember that Baziine sur
rendered $1,000 men, without the first at
tempt to cut his way through, there would
seem TO be some pausibility in their expla-
nation. The French cavalry about Paris
are fine looking picked men, splendidly
mounted, wearing brass helmets, and
breast plates, and high top boots. They
are armed with heavy sabres; but | do
not think there is any doubt that Sheri-
dan or Wade Hampton's cavalry, armed
with Spenser rifles, could overthrow twice
their number of these men. If the issue
depended on a square charge, of course
the American cavalry would be worsted.
But with the long range repeating rifle,
many saddle would he emptied and
many horse disabled before those gilt
tering fellows could get within sabre
length. The marshall president was very
conspicuous at the review, surrounded by
q brilliant staff. He makes pretty good
appearance on horseback, though his face
is rather weak, his stomach little large,
and his legs somewhat slim. Mcmahon is
not very popular in Paris, but thousands
of people stood in the Champs Elysees and
Boulevard DIES Italiens to see him return
from the review. Finally he came in a
large open carriage drawn at smart trot
by four black horses, the two rear horses
being ridden by postllions in glove fitting
jackets. white, glove fitting pantaloons,
and high top boots. Two horsemen uni
formed like the Positions trolted behind
the carriage.
Notwithstanding the large number of
people that left the city to attend the re-
view, there was no diminution of the
crowd that went to the exhibition, which,
considering the impulse that will have
been given to commerce and industry and
the consequent development of public
wealth, may henceforward be considered
complete success. The total expense of
constructing and preparing the exhibition
amounts to 45,300000 fir. 1t is estimated
that the receipts will reach 34.500,00O fr.,
so that the final deficit will be 10,8O0, 900
fir. 1t must be remembered that the
enterprise will increase the income derive
Ell from the indirect taxes. The govern
ment expects an exce.s of revenue of
100000 fr., but it is probable that this
sum will be below the reality.
The international congress of agricu-
ture has closed, and it will be followed bv
n series of other international congresses
that will be held in the Trocaders palace
In the following order: Congress for the
unifcation of the numbering of cot
tons; congress of charitable and provi.
dence institutions congress Of demogra-