Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1878-05-10
The WOrkmen Of Belleville at the Res.
idence OF Minister N. de Marcere.

At the reception few evenings since
of the Home Minister, NJ. de Marcere,
writes the Paris correspondent of the
New York Tribune, there took place a
little incident that may show, better
than graver things, how easily, with a
small leaven of good will, the juxtaposi
ton of parties might be modified in
France On Tuesday last musical
soiree was announced in the handsome
(though not large) salons of the Minis
ter of the Interior. A few minutes af-
ter 10 o'clock the rooms began to fill,
and, in the central salon, were quickly
grouped together knots of brilliantly
dressed women, shrouded by enormous
bushes of flowers, so, in the end, you
could hardly distinguish which were the
flowers and which were the women.
The further end of the salon was parti
toned off by kind of platform one step
high, hung with crimson drapery, and
occupied by 60 or 20 men, dressed in
black evening toilet, and standing They
wore, each of them, broad red ribbon
at their button-holes, with small med
al appended to it.
"Who are they?" was the whispered
question, as the Minister'S guests ar
rived one after the other. 1t was evil
dent they were musicians. from the
piano that was placed near-not upon,
but below the platform.
''Probably the choruses of the Con-
servatoire,' was the answer generally
and their appearance warranted the re-
ply. They were mostly young, though
some were clearly above forty. All
were perfectly well dressed, as l have
said, with white cravats and straw-col-
ored gloves. 1t was quite natural to
take them for the pensioners of that
august, well-drilled, pedantic Govern
ment establishment, the Conservatoire.
Probably Wagner" opined senten-
tiously bald headed man close to me-
Perhaps they are Swedish singers
remarked a lady in front.
mo, Madame" responded Mlle de
Marcere. the Minister'S sister, they are
the workmen's chorus of Belleville'
The lady who was thus answered, and
those who were around her and could
hear, looked far more surprised than
pleased. 'Workmenw and 'Belleville!"
this was a pleasant announcement to
ears that would rather be deaf than hear
such ominous expressions. The work
men singers of Belleville were invited
by the Minister himself to partake of
the refreshments prepared. AT the
same time NJ. de Marcere thanked the
performers, one and all, for the immense
pleasure they had afforded. Upon this,
the leader of the choristers addressed
the Minister, saying: 1T is, on the con-
trary, we who thank you for the kind
ness shown to us. 1t is common thing
to speak of our ACCOMPLISHMENT as of
nest of disorder, brutality and ignorance
the Bellevillois are easily illuminated
as a set of men who are envious of eve
ry one who is richer than themselves
but it is calumny, NJ. de Ministre, and
believe me, ! speak for all my comrades
when | say that no one could appreciate
and treasure up more than we do any
mark of cordiality such as we have re-
ceived tonight Upon this. Mile. de
Marcere stepped forward, and gathering
as she went, the choice flowers from the
baskets on the table, presented one to
each of the singers, adding: You will
not expect from me political speech,
but | hope that you may recall this ev-
ening with pleasure; will you wear this
flower as a souvenir of us?'