Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1878-08-09
PARIS, July %, 1878

| PARIS, July %, 1873.
| To the Editor 0: the Free Press and Times.
Every great metropolis has. and has had,
a centre-a heart, the focus of life, Of char
acter, and movement. In Rome, the Forum,
with its classic memories: in London, Re-
gent street in New York, Broadway and
in Paris-modern Paris the Boulevards.
Other points have been more central and
more fashionable in the Paris of the past, for
the Boulevards' interiors were once exteriOrs,
and their history and chronology is known.
But the Palais Royal, the Louvre, and other
centres of attraction have been eclipsed by
these Boulevards, which represent the type,
the essence of Paris life in all its originality
and piquancy. Formed in the seventeenth cen
fury, the Boulcvaris were at first the bull
warks or ramparts Of Paris. When the night
ingales frcqucnted the groves replaced by the
present Boulevards, IIaussmann and Males
herbcs and lovers strolled in the howery
fields about the Chaussec d'Aptin. They
have many interesting historical! associa-
tioas. Mongolfer, the invento. of balloons,
lived in the Boulevard St. Denis the assas-
sin Fieschi pointed his internal machine
against Louis Philippe from No 50 Boule-
Ninon de L'Enclos, lived on the same Borlc-
ward, No. % while the well-known BOule
ward des ltaliens, the zenith of Partisan ami
nation in 1915, was inhabited by the cele-
brated comedian Regnard, the rival Of Mol
ere. What transformation in the present
day the shop windows with the blaze of
Potosi, the wealth of the Indies and Be
nanzas with the rarest combinations of mod
ern ingenuity and Industry Crystal Pal
ace extended to the Dimensions of city,
with avenues Of light and passages of pleas
ure. All this must be seen to be understood
or rather felt, for the general impression of
the far-iamcd Boulevards is much more
powerful appeal to the passions. emotions,
and, perhaps. to the aesthetic sense, than to
the thought or reason. more clearly typifed
in our more sober cities, the markets and
marts of this age of progress.
A heterogeneous crowd, which the de
lights Of the French Capital have attracted
from all parts of the world, gaze with rap
ture upon the scene of wonders, the daz-
cling display of diamonds and other costly
jewels exhibited in the windows, which are
Illuminated with gas by means of re-
Electors throwing soft, clear light.
and showing OF these treasures
to the best advantage. The windows
are in most cases rearranged expressly with
a view to evening effect. Nowhere else can
be seen such an attractive display OF tiaras
OF diamonds and precious stones, ranging in
price from five to two hundred thousand |
francs. Watches of every variety of style, |
and every description of iewclry, glitter in |
the soft mellow light. Perfumery shops, |
also arranged with the most consummate |
skill, impregnating the air with delicious |
doors, add to the iairy-like Impressions of |
the scene. Clothing establishments, marbles |
and pictures. bronzes, fruit and pastry shops,
in fact everything can be found here in the |
greatest profusion. Every variety of form |
and device is resorted to in Arranging gas
lights and mirrors 20 as to produce the great
est effect. The names of many Of the prn-
cipll restaurants and cafes are cmblazoned |
over the doors in letters of fire, the effect of |
which is extremely beautiful, while at the
same time the cost must be enormous but
the shoPkeepers seem to pay no regard 10
the item of expenditure in their endeayors
to eclipse each other in brilliancy of display.
This illumination continues until about mid
night.
A point of unusual attraction is the Grand
Cafe upon the Boulevard dcs Capucines,
corner Of Rue Scribe; the largest
and most magnificent cafe in Paris,
and probably in tho world. The gen
eral effect from the opposite side is dazzling
the rooms arc blaze of light. 1t is said
that 1000 persons congregatc here at night
to drink coffee. cOgnac, absntbc, and peruSc
the leading journals. The decoration and
furniture Of this cafe has cost nearly mil
lion Of francs. Its main attraction is, per
haps, the exquisite painting Of the ceiling,
executed by artists Of no less merit than
Boulanger and Dulaney. a group of bac-
chantes and iauns on the ceiling Of draw
groom, which measures thirteen metres in
circumference, is a work Of artistic merit
which might be enyed bv any art collector.
Upon the sidewalks in front Of the cafe,
which are about thirty feet wide and cover
ed with asphatum, like the streets, are ar
ranged small tables and neat fancy chairs,
made OF iron. These are occupied upon
pleasant evenings by persons of both sexes,
RECALLING themselves with ices, etc. The eff
feet OF this large crowd both within and
without the cafe, the great profusion of gas
lights. the numbers of which seem doubled
and quadrupled by reflection from the i'm
mense mirrors on the walls, combine to pro-
duce scene of unusual brilliancy and
gsyety. CAS-. !