Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-05-22

to believe some industry exists which occu-
pies itself specially with such matters, as
is the case with advertisements carried
around by blind persons. There is place
IN Paris where these cards are printed with
all sorts of designs and Inscriptions. The
cause of blindness is explained often by
colored engravings representing man fall
ing from building, or saving child from
the flames, or other equally disastrous cir
cumstances. The blind person on pur-
chasing one of these cards, has the
inscription read to him, and he
chooses that which he thinks will be most
apt to excite sympathy, disregardless as to
the truth whether or not he lost his sight in
the manner described, and as to whether
he really is widower with seven children.
ALL THESE SHOWS
And baraques are covered with painted
canvases, whose life-size figures, placed in
peculiar and often unaccountable circum-
stances, have no connection whatever with
the subjects treated within. L'enter seems
to be the favorite theme, and the little
devils dancing around the fire are calcu-
lated to inspire a recklessness of conduct
which must have a serious effect on the
purse Death is the next important sub
ject treated by these artists who reyel so
freely in paint. This parsonage is seen
dancing familiarly with the doctor, appears
everywhere he is not wanted, and disguised
as garcon de restaurant, carries cham
payne to reckless youths in search of pleas
ure. The consequence is that the ears and
eyes are bewildered, and one is apt to
wander round and round this labyrinth of
shows and shops before he is able to find an
exit. 1t would be impossible to enumerate
all the different amusements to which all
take to with the keen delight of children.
One OF the fayorite games is the massacre
des innocents Some hundred dolls with
comic pasteboard faces are fastened at the
waist along a cord they are dressed in all
the different costumes of fancy dress
ball The game consists in striking these
creatures on the head with ball and turn
ing them over from q perpendicular to
horizontal position. One pays five sous
for so many shots, but if certain num-
Der of the innocents are massacred the
massacrer is entitled to piece of ginger
bread, or a glass sugar bowl, just as
it may happen. Another favorite amuse-
ment is the hberatiDg of Guignon. Gnig
non is a very ugly little old man, impris-
oned in box high up in the air, and in
order to liberate him the would-be liber-
ator is obliged to strike spring on box
below with great wooden hammer, when
weight which runs up scales marks the
force used. When Guignon jumps out of
his box the crowd applauds, and his lib
orator is decorated with an immense
rosette composed of the national colors,
and during the day young men may
be seen covered with these prizes, which
they exhibit with unconcealed pride. But
that which meets with the greatest success
are the cheUaur de bois. This is assuredly
the most popular amusement throughout
France, not only for children, but grown-up
people, even to grandmothers and grand
fathers The delight these good people
experience seated ON wooden horses and
whirled round and round is astonishing,
and to me incomprehensible 1t would be
impossible to state the number of these
machines, varying more or less in price and
decorations. Some are turned by hand
power, others by one, two or three horses,
and for the FIST time there is this year one
TURNED BY STEAM.
This is perhaps the largest ever construct
ed The center is composed of solid mir
rors the horses, instead of docile steeds,
are magnificent chargers, with feet in the
air in an attitude of impotence, and are of
life size. A very good band plays during
the while it is in motion, and when stopped
an organ begins. The price is two sous
for two minutes, and an immense crowd is
constantly waiting its turn. According to
calculation the owner of this machine dur
ing fete days must clear about fifty
dollars day, indeed it is very lucrative
business. In fact, all the shows prosper.
There is Corvi, known to every one of three
generations, who exhibits trained animals,
and particularly monkeys, and who is i'm
mensely rich in spite of his seventy odd
years he does not retire from business, but
continues to exhibit his trained dogs and
goats His exhibition is the dearest, for
first places cost 80 cents. The other
shows do not exceed II or Is cents as price
of entrance, and the fee of the majority
is four sous. As may be seen, one
can go the rounds wi hout being ruined,
but it may be imagined the extended pop
ularity of such entertainments for the di-
rectors to grow rich at that price. When
this fete is over there follows the fete of
Neuiily, and after comes that of st. Cloud,
which finishes the fetes of the year, and at
which are found the same amusements and
the same crowd.
There was sold yesterday at the Hotel
Drouot, or Hotel de Vente, the correspond
ence of the famous actresses Dejazet and
Rachel. 1t seems they both loved the
same man, and as their early education,
that of Rachel, was not cal
culated to develop much refinement, the
language of these celebrated women on
that occasion must be, as the French say,
/" Q,ieique chose de propre." VAL