Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-24

all the artists In Paris had come to watch the
tncursion OF the pictures-the exodus OF the
studios might be filter term. The young art
lists betrayed themselves by the conscious look
and the anxious care with which they bore their
precious works from the cab or van through the
crowd The poor pictures must have expert
enced something akin to the famous 'ev1l quar-
ter Of an hour" GOT Raoeiais, Is it:)
down on nude nymph, blushing maiden, fierce
soldier or dreamy landscape IL was indeed for
them naanudts pas from the conveyance to
the sidewalk, up the steps and into the long
hall. Each had to run the gauntlet, too, OF the
remarks OF the spectators, who spared neither
witticism nor criticism as one after the other
passed by. Occasionally, as some holder effort,
some more startling subject appeared there
arose prolonged chorus of Abs! and O-o-o-hs,
OF feigned and unbOunded admiration and de-
Ight,-the worse the picture the more eXtrava-
CANT the applause. AS the last hour dwindled
to its last minutes the arrivals were more nu-
merous and hurried, until finally four O'Clock
struck and the doors closed. All the pictures
competing for a place In the salon were in:
there to be seen and judged by the illustrious
art jury and receive their acceptance or retec-
ton. 1t is now the last week OF the three allot-
ted for this important decision, and most of the
works
The delightful promptness with which our
spring mas reappeared Is new departure for
that coyest and most uncertain maiden. l be-
ileve IL Is the result OF vigorous determination
10 CUT the ground from under the feet quo pun is
lHteh0edl OF lachrymOSe newSpaper-cOrner
poets and sentimental song5tresseS who beWail
The lingering of the ETHEREAL mildneSS and con-
hde lamentingly to tortured ears how their
hearts are weary-weary waiting for the spring
10 De sure she had an unusually sound nap
while our fierce northern winter held sway
with icy thralls and gloomy skies. and so awoke
to lustter strength and fuller life. sit is my
turn now" she said. stepping on February's
heels, and giving him a brisk shove with her
rosy elbow-"begone, old greybeard!"-and In
moment she touched tree and bush, fl over and
grass with her eternal youth. her imm )rtal
smile. Nay, am not poet, and have no inter
est In corners" so that vein is not mine. But
t1uly 10 see the coming OF the green in the gar
dens. the sort grey, Sun-warmed Clouds the
happy children crOwding to play in the
paths OF the lovely Luxembourg or Tuilie-
prose and give it touch of poeSy. And the
season Is undeniably exceptional During the
whole OF March there was not one disagreeable
day, which the faithful hold to be invariably
somber and cloudy, the weather was beautiful
Ihen, Just when the need of it was perceived.
we had rain in MISUNDERSTANDING, since
the 1st OF April with light showers. but in.
creaS1ng TO a liberal drenching and most be-
ne1lcent doWn-pour Now one sees the first
tiny pann1ers OF red strawberries, crisp heads
OF lettuce and little radiSheS, made to look as
pretty as punches of flowers
On the Place st. Michel and the Place st. Sui
plce the Hover markets resume their important
business. We have grown wise In our flower
Duy1ng and leave our purchases till late in the
udJ -tutu Tie ''ldul6S' OF Ule mower market are
tired and willing to negotiate sales. GLOW
much madame?"-we indicate bunch each of
white lilacs narcissus wall-f1owers and the
more precious ranunculus. "Oh, well, mad.
ame," she answers, IA franc"-or half or
twice as much.
Promptly we offer a third less or even half.
'Oh, mon Dieu! No; impossible"
But come now, let suS be reasonable What
Is your price, madame?"
See. | desire nothing better in life than to
accommodate you!"
lnf1exibil1ty on the buyers part continues
ana the fragrant spring blossoms are soon eX-
changed for the few sous. All this time coming
I'LL late In the autumn the most modest menace
need never be without its sweet posy The eli
mate and the immense culture of flowers all
round about Paris keep the large markets sup
pied with the old-fashiOned hoInely flowers, of
which one never tires. Mignonette and wall
flowers (9roHteS) roses, pansies, pinks daffodils.
Jonqu1ls, and a dozen more may be had fresh
every day In the week. But during winter
although few of the very grand shops exhibit
rare flowers, there is nothing to compare with
the abundance Of flowers and hot-house plants
TO which the jewellers In our American cities are
accustomed. Even at Easter, with the eXcep-
ton of few plants In some of the churches.
there was no display or decoration such as we
see at home. D.