Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-06-26
FROM PARIS.
TIE FIGHT FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF
THE FRENCH SENATE.
Corot's Monument and its Unvaiiing-The
Salon Again-The Leading Picture
this Year-Coquelin-A Present.
PaRIS Nav %. 1880,

PARIS, May %, 1850.
Leon Say, the former Minister OF
Finances, was sent by the Government at
his own solicitation as ambassador to
London. Both he and his wife are partic-
ularly liked by the English and every one
throughout France, even to the enemies OF
the Republic, congratulated the Govern
ment ON It's choice. The new Minister was
scarcely established at London when it
became known that Martel, the President
of the Senate, had resigned his position on
account of poor health. While many con-
lectures were being made as to who would
succeed theformer President, and candidates
were presented by different groups OF the
Left, and Jules Simon was talked of as that
of the Right, Leon Say arrived in haste
from London to present himself as candi-
date for the position of President of the
Senate. This sudden apparition of the
newly-appoiIted Minister and the object of
his visit caused great surprise to everyone.
The circumstance seemed Incompetent
sible, and so great has been the astonish-
lnent that no explanations have been ven
tured by the different Republican journals.
Government machinery is very compli-
| Gated, but those who profess to explain its
intricacies pretend that in this instance
great fear was entertained by Gambetta
that Jules Simon, whom he heartily de-
tests and breads, should, through his
friends of the Left and the members of
the Right, be elected President of the
Senate, aud that he being President OF the
Chanb ers there would result
CONSTANT CONFLICTS
Between the two. While Gambetta pub
hcly favored the nomination of De Royer
he privately dispatched for Leon Say, the
only person capable of obtaining majority
over Jules Simon. This last, either find
ing his chances diminished through the
presence of the new candidate, or dreading
to ruin his political career by accepting
this position from the hands of the enemies
of the republic, dlscreetly withdrew from
the contest. Leon Say was elected with but
a majority of three III the balloting by the
different members of the Lett. That which
renders the affair more serious is that John
Lemoinne was appointed Minister to Brus-
sels which position he accepted, and
after all negotiations had finished and the
Government at Brussels expressed their
satisfaction of the choice made, Mr. Le-
monne sent in his resignation. That a
similar instance should so soon occur with
regard to Leon Say renders the friends
of this gentleman disconnected and all Re-
publicans III general uneasy That the
o. 81, 4 Il 81.
ing on itself want Of seriousness and
stability only goes to prove once more that
the Government Is Gambetta, and that he
has sacrificed the dignity Of his country
to personal animosity.
CoRor's MONUMENT
On Monday last, at Vile d'Auray, there
took place the Inauguration of monu-
menb to the landscape painter Corot. This
artist, Ike many Others, was not appre-
ciated during his lifetime, but Death had
hardly called upon him when the entire
chorus OF artists voices loudly sang his
praises. He was never the recipient OF an
official recomPeuse. At the salon the
medal Of honor was not accorded to him,
although well-deserying OF it, and so in
dignant were his pupils, friends. and many
artists, that through protestation more
than as a testimony OF veueratiGn for the
great master, they united III offering him
the precious distinction which the jury re-
fused him. The State, which has so re-
peatedIy donated the public galleries with
Indifferent pictures, never thought of COM
handing works from Corot he did not
exist III the opinion Of the Directors
of the Beaux Arts, nor in that Of
guardians of museums. The artist has
had his revenge, although later than it
should have arrived. | remember when
he died all Paris awakened to the
conviction Of his superior merit, not only
as an artist, but as a man many and
many an anecdote was recounted of his
charity, his kind heartedness and disinter-
ested friendship for his brothers in art.
His funeral was magnificent, the principal
singers of the opera took part III the re-
ligious exercises, and the pail bearers were
the most distinguished men of France.
Since that time many persons who acct
dentally found Themselves in possession of
a ''Corot realized small fortunes, for his
pictures now sell 80 high as those of Dau-
bignv, Das and others. On this last
solemn occasion it was at Vile d'Auray
his friends met again at the foot of that
rustic house whore he worked for
FORTY YEARS
in the midst of plants and trees which he
painted, on the border of lakes which he
loved in front Of those rolling hills which
formed the perspective of his pictures.
The monument elevated to his memory was
placed III the centre of the verdure just
opposite to that nature which he adored.
1t is from the artistic ehisel Of Geof-
troy Dechaume, beamiug with gentleness,
the lips parted by tender smile, and his
eyes under his high forehead shaded by
disorderly locks On the top branch is
placed on which rests nightingale singing
"a delicate and charming allusIon to his
love fo- trees and bids. Then the sides
OF the bias relief finish with lions head,
whence gushes water eternalIy Lmpid,
which runs on with gay ripple. In shat
| landscape where so often the ''pere C1rou 5"
had passed, dressed in his blouse, with
sal,ots on his feet, all those who
were devoted to the arts-painters,
sculptors, poets, critics, and even
musicians-were there assembled. The
Government was represented by Mr.
TnTquet, the sous Secretaire Gur BeaHr
Arts the Municipal Council of Paris by a
large number of its members; the com
mune by the Mayor Gambetta was
among the visitors. There was music and
| singing and the canon roared. A large
number of ladies', elegantly dressed, re-
lieved the monotony OF the numerous
black coats, and gave an aspect OF gayety
to the scene. MIR. Turquet opened the
solemnities by brief speech, in which he
stated, amidst repeated applause, that the
Republic placed art in the front rank of its
prescriptions. After, Mr.. Francois, a
distinguished landscape painter, spoke with
profound emotion of his old comrade,
whose talent he analysed with fidelity and
delicacy. Everybody was much touched
by this recital of Corot, complete as a
painter and man, the grand paysagiste
and the excellent friend, that many were
melted to tears. 1t was then stated that
the statue of Corot would be placed on d
| colo of the Hotel de Vile now in con-