New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-11
TOPICS IN PARIS.
PRIZE AWARDs--M DE LAFAYETTE.

PRIZE AWARDS--M. DE LAFAYETTE.
THE ANNUAL DISTRIBUTION OF LAURELs-A TALK
WITH THE GRANDSON OF AMERICAS OLD FRIEND
UNABLE TO BE PRESENT AT THE YORKTOWN
CELEBRATION
fFRoM the REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
PARIS, July 29.-The end of July and the begin
ming of August is the period when scholastic and
academcal laurelS are compc sd for and awarded.
Prize distributions in both public and private
schools take place with much pomp and circum-
stance Great dignitaries Of the State attend at the
former. The halls in which the laurel crowns are
placed upon young blows are decked out with flags
festoons and rich draperes. Military bands are in
attendance, and the parents who come are in holt
day raimcnt. Last week and part of the week
before has been at "LAcademe Rationale dc
Defamation dc MusiQue ct du Chant devoted TO
public recitatOns and singing matches. The
instrumentists have not yet had their turn
Reguier, formerly of the Theatre Francais. heads
the defamation olass in which he prepares young
men and women for the stage. This class is often
the high road to fame and fortune. The composi-
ton and instrumental music classes often turn ont
pupils predestined to both. O1enbach was a pupil
of the COnservatoirc. Where this institution fails
Is In the vocal music class, in which young gIls
are put i'll training for the Opera House Voices at
the Conservative are too much forced. They are
like all prematurey developed things-doomed
TO rapid extinction and what they gain IN tenpo-
rary force they lose in charm This does not apply
to the choral classes which are excellent Very
rarely indeed does great diva issue from the Paris
Conservative, and it is my opinion that MANY
girl richly endowed by nature who has been placed
there hy ambitious mother is there incapacitated
for becoming great.
In speaking of prize examinations I should not
neglect those which came on yesterday at the Sor-
bonnie. They to test the intelligence and
erudition of candidates for the degrees of bocbeIr
es tettres and bachelor science In conformity
with N. Jules Ferrys instructions examiners were
severe Ont of l., 169 candidates for the comnle,e
b. 5. degree, only 385 were admitted to compete
and 357 ultimately received. For the restricted
degree in the same faculty 1872 presented them
selves, and only 76 were admitted TO the oral test
Out of these 81 passed. The girl candi-
dates were not numerous. A single one passed.
Mile. Bignon, but she ahead OF everyone else
mners For the Bacheorshp Of oSata Oh a 1x
Philosophy there were among the 800 candidates
mented by the examination board which was com
posed OF Professors Richard Waddington, Tannery
ana Msze aed Of the Academy One of them
from Congo; She is a pure blooded African and a
hma n,U;. OF Gq1adaloupe Her name is Matthew
obtained the complete b. S. degree. The other
young LADY who sat with her and answered most
engineer. """S
drI had an an interview few day. ago with NJ.
him was to know whether he was or was not GOING
70 America in time to be present the approaeh;ns
yorktown celebration. TO his great regret he win
be unable to quit France this autumn He Thinks
that she requires the patriotic services during the
electoral crisis which the Minstry has precpiiated
pf all her Republican sons. NJ LAFAYETTE retains
an afiectionate remembrance of the American
people whose acquainta Dce he made upon their own
SOIL tie said that it was impossible to realize what
the word hospitality fully meant unless one had
Deen to the United States. He takes very optmist
view OF the country which his grandfather aided i'm
wihhing It's independence. 1t has bemlshes no
no9ot, ne said, and many uefects. but fine heart
anu the ciearest national head perhaps in the
world President Garfield he looks upon AS a true
representative of both. NJ. Lafayette thinks that
whnehevei great and good men are wanting across
tuo A'iahlc they will spring up in sufficient num-
pGn5SS ne thinks that the Presidents martyrdom
NJ nave an eIeyating effect upon the morals OF the
hmnfplo Union The first thing that NJ. Lafayette
lor on opening his paper the morning is the
teissgrams from Washington about Garfel6's health
go ue spoke Ill such warm hearted manner of him
~ p 10 reveal what a vivid interest he takes i'm
AZ iIeSiiuehts progress toward health.
uo lafayette does not reside in the house i'm the
nuo gu bac III which his brother Oscar died lie
INV lVes IN the new QUARTER dc Courcelles nearly
opposite the College Chaptal. He has somewhat
T Seu SINCE tue death of his brother but looks we'll
'Saand heathy interest which he takes in politics
aones nm fresh and in good spirits He does not
Spprgar 10 be within five six years as old as he
eauy Is. Tins descendant of General de Lafayette
S;S Sne only one who bears his name. He Ia
"iuo"er ana upward of sixty.