Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1881-09-14


white buildings make it bri ght and
cheerful at all times.
On the night of the 18th, it was ap.
parent that something was abont to oc-
cur, for the streets, the broad, brilliant
ly lighted bouleyards, were crowded
with people, all of them full of life and
animation The great stores with their
glass fronts were literally ablaze with
lig hts the gaily decorated cafes with
their inviting tables on the broad SIDE
walks were filed with people slipping
wine, or coffee, and discussing with all
the animation and. zyivaeity that a
Frenchman only possesses, the attrac-
tions of the morrow. All along the
principal boulevards electric lights
were suspended high in the air, while
in the Place de, Concorde, and out the
Champs Elysees were thousands of
brilliant clusters of gas jets, making
the night seem day. The crowds
swayed hither and thither with one
impulse. to see everything, yet there
was no departure from decorum
Everybody was happy. But it was
the happiness that comes of sense of
pleasure, from bright and beautiful
surroundings, and the knowledge that
every one else is happy. There is no
sign of drunkenness There was no
rowdyism. There was nothing sug-
gestive even of ofensiveness. Every
body was gay and merry. There were
songs and hearty peals of laughter,
but it was pure and wholesome, some
thing that one could participate in with
all his heart.
The morning of the 14th dawned
with a bright, clear sky, and the sun
came up with serenity that augured
well for the fete. During the night,
while. all Paris slept, busy workmen
put the finishing touches on the decora-
tions, and when, all business suspend
ed, Paris turned out to see itself, there
was general murmur of approval at
the beautiful sights displayed every
where The houses along the streets
were almost hidden by flags and BAN
ners and streamers; the statues were
decorated; high stats that were not
visible the day before now Hoated long
streamers the parks and gardens were
in holiday attire. Paris was arrayed
in gorgeous dress, and every one went
in for day of rare pleasure.
At all the theaters, including the
Grand Opera, free performances were
given during the afternoon, and there
were all sorts Entertainments provid-
ed by the Government for the amuse-
ment of the populace. In various
quarters of the city platforms were
erected, and all during that warm after
noon the working classes danced to the
music of superb orchestras which were
furnished to them without money and
without cost
But when evening came the fete was
seen to its best advantage. AS it
grew dark the W hole city blazed with
light. There were millions of lanterns
of every possible color, hanging from
every point that could hold support.
Electric lights flashed from every
corner, and gas jets blazed every where.
The Boulevard des Italiens, from the
Madelaine to the Bastile, was as light
as-though MONDAY sun were pouring
down upon it. And so with the other
large thoroughfares, while the different
quarters had illuminationsz of their
own, each of which was wonderfully
brilliant
The one particular place that eclips-
ed oil others was the two mile stretch
from the Tuileries to the Arch of
Triumph, and then on to the Bois de
Boulogna. The straight promenade
through the Tuileries garden was lined
on either side with a high trestle
work, literally covered with fanciful
designs wrought in gas, while high
arches of brilliant fame intersected it
at regular intervals.
The Place de Concorde was a marvel
of beauty. All around the immense
square were hung festoons of gas jets,
while all the statues of the different
cities of France that ornament each
corner, were thrown into bold relief by
brilliant lights on the limpid water of
the fountain in the center; different
colored lights were thrown during the
evening, the effect being wondously
beautiful
Stanolng In the center of the Place,
and looking towards the arch the sight
was simply marvellous Nowhere in
the world but in Paris could such a
thing be seen. The broad avenue,
Champs Elysees, rising with gentle
slope, was lined its whole distance on
both sides with q stream of light, that
dropped gracefully from cluster to
cluster, all the way out, as far as the
eye could reach. Then the concert
cafes which abound on either side,
made unusual displays, swinging lines
Of light from tree to tree and cafe to
cafe, till the effect was dazzling and
one really had to stop to realized that
he was here on earth and not in some
fairy land.
The Bois de Boulogne, always beau
tiful, with its charming lakes. long
winding drives, its parks, tiny brooks
and picturesque cafe, was unusually
brilliant tina. night One the shores
of the lake large set pieces of fire works
were displayed, while bands of music
in odd looking gondolas blazing with
colored fires, furnished exquisite music.
The paths and carriage-ways were lined
with small set pieces which together
with the constantly burning colored
fires produced an effect that was grand
ly weird
All Paris was one blaze of light.
And all night long the people of Paris
and all France were on the streets en-
joying the rare sight. After O'Clock
carriages were compelled to keep of
the principal boulevards and streets,
SO densely were they packed with peo
pie. The Champs Elysees from 10
O'Clock was one surging mass of people
men, women and children-return.