Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1878-08-02

hflENDlD OF ARTIFICIAL lILl MlNAllONh
UNWILLING OF THE STATUE OF THE REPUBLIC
THE HOUSE OF NJ. THEIRS VISITED AND his
WIDOW sERENADED
Especial Correspondence Of THE pHGuX.l
PARIS, WedneNioy Nightl
July 10, 1873.
wish it were possible for words to describe
the greatest popular demonstration of modern
times, and the most splendid artificial iilumin-
alton since the fat ltg Of the Almighty. Paris
surpassed itself on the occasion of the .ttte to
peace and industry. The streets from Vim
cennes to the Bos dc Bologne were gay with
flags and verdure in the day time and resplen-
dent with gas, lanterns, and electric lights at
night. Wires were stretched across from
window to window, and boughs, flowers and
Venetian lamps were suspended from them.
This was all done spontaneously and in an
outburst of popular enthusiasm. NJ. Edmond
About was chairman of n committee for deco
rating the Rue de Douai, in which he lives.
He assembled the artists who live in that
quarter aud most brilliantly did they per-
form their sclf-imposed tasks Emissaries
were dispatched by them to the forests of the
state and they brought back whole trains
laden with holly and evergreen. What Amer
lean young ladies do for their churches on
Christmas, About and his friends did for the
Rue de Douai, and their example was imitat-
ed throughout entire districts by rich and
poor. The .t5te was everywhere. Not a
street was oyer-crowded, but there was no
street that was not crowded. Fireworks were
sent up in different parts of the city, and at
the Bois de Boulogne the lakes infinitely mul-
tiplied the lights that were hung along their
borders or suspended from the many boats
that glided over their waters. In the fullest
sense the tete was popular one got up of the
people, by the people, and for the people.
Early in the morning statue of the Repub-
lie was unveiled in the Champ de Mars and
dedicated with few admirable words from
different cabinet ministers. When the Min
lister of the Interior gave the signal for the
veil to be removed, band that had been
masked behind clump of trees struck up the
Marseillaise. The soldier president of the
Republic was not present at any point of the
festivities, but at night, accompanied by
Madame Mcmahon and the Shah of Persia
he ascended the Arch of Triumph and looked
down upon the radiant city.
The populace were wild with gayety; mu-
sic and laughter resounded in the streets from
morning till midnight "GiOire Ia France"
by Victor Hugo, was first sung, but the Mar
seillaise" was always the best reserved for the
last Nothing will ever take the place of that
song in the hearts of the French people
Gunod's 'Vive Ia France" is pedantic thing;
Hugo's composition is sublime, but funeral
Rougct de rIsle's burning hymn has fire
enough in it to nfame all Europe a second
time, and France forty time
Thiers was not forgotten. A stream of cit
liens poured continually through the place
st. Georges. In front of the house rendered
celebrated by the venerable statesman, heads
were reverently uncovered. A large wreath
of immortelles, dedicated to the memory of
the absent one" was suspended ON the gate
Later in the day Radical musical club as
sembled in the garden of the house now oc-
cupied by the widow of NJ. Thiers, and sere-
naded her with patriotic airs. About mid
night there were, in different parts Of the
city, "hambeaux retreats" Cavalry soldiers
ten or twelve abreast, bore lighted torches as
them playing martial music.
1t is estimated that twenty-five thousand
pairs of hands were kept busy in the work
shops for twelve days preceding the ttte, max
ing flags and other decorations for private
houses and public buildings. What was
spent for the item of paper lanterns alone
must have been immense. Bonnets decorat-
ed with tri-colored ribbons, and flowers in ar
tistic devices, were worn for one day and cast
aside the next The patriotic bouquet, made
of artificial roses, was every where it was
worn by young and old, rich and poor boys,
girls and babies. There were n few houses,
occupied by Orleanists or Imperialists, that
did not hang out flags or illuminate, but no
menace was proffered them, and there seemed
to be an entire absence of partisan feeling
this might not have been the case had the OPP
position been less hopeless minority. Each
was perfectly free to do as seemed good in
his own eyes, provided he did not infringe
ON the rights of any body else. At the church
of the Madeleine there were under the colon
made imposing professions in celebration of
the octave of the Corpus Christi. No attempt
was made by the many >sceptical passers by
to throw contempt upon it, A military band
was present to enhance the pomp of the re-
ligious ceremony, and take turns with the
grand organ in musical entertainment. The
Parisan is tolerant, well bred and thorough
ly good-natured when he is bent on having
holiday.
These popular festivals no doubt have IA
beneficial influence ON social life and man
ners. One reason why SO many Americans
are loud-mannered and deficient in good
breeding, is because they lack the attrition
which these people have in cafes boulevards
and parks C. A. =.