The daily gazette., 1881-01-17
On KISTMAS SINPARIS
PARIS, New Years Day, 1881.

CaDlegramS from nome, yester-
day, told OF snow storms, Of heavy
freezing and of the range of the
thermometer on the verge of zero,
whilst here we have scarcely q hoar
frost to check the growth of the
green grass and the hardy flowers.
The soft, bright sunshine would
almost cheat US into the belief that
it is already early summer.
Less than a dozen years since,
Paris and France knew no Christmas
as it is with us-a festive occasion.
and religious and social holiday.
The Germans have, for centuries,
celebrated Christmas, have planted
their Christmas trees, played their
games, enjoyed their feasts and at
tended their Church services on that
day. They kept up the old habits
while their armies occupied French
territory in the late war of 1901,
and everywhere invited the conquer
ed hosts to join them and take part
in all their festivities. There was
something in all this that was ex-
ceedingly attractive to the French
people, and with almost one accord
they hastily adopted the idea and
improved apon it, SO that they
already surpass all nations In the
splendor and Importance Of their
Christmas festivities. The season
lasts from the Oath Of December to
the End day of January, and during
the ten days Paris is ablaze with all
that is bright, striking and beautiful.
ller boulevards are bordered by two
rows of temporary booths in which
are sold toys, confectionery, pictures
and all such tinsel, calculated to
catch the eye Of the eountryman
who comes to see the wonders and
spend his long horded sous and
francs. Magasins and Bazars are all
the time crowded with buyers; cafes
and wine shops are brilliantly light
ed and always filed with customers.
AS we walk the streets and see the |
crowds of men, women and children
eating and drinking in the cafes, we
wonder what domestic life 10 like in |
France
But we remember that the French do |
not like Englishmen and Americans,
make home sanctuary Of the best and |
holiest Of affections, q place around |
which cluster the tenderest memories -
They live IN the streets or In other peo- |
ple's houses, and know nothing OF home
comforts and the exclusiveness cherised
by our people. Every day In the week
We see whole families dining at the
cafrs, out OF doors II the weather permits,
and indoors If the weather is wet or
COLD, and on Sundays IL is the almost
universal custom to eat at the cafes.
I his Is the practice with oil conditions
OF the people. There are cafes for the
Workmen, cafes tor the trades people ana
elegantly furnished, brilliantly lighted
cafes where the rich and fashionable are
served with the most sumptuous repasts.
You can pay your money and take your
choice, you can dino for six pence or
half a franc on crust and wash II
down with uin ordindre, or you may
dine on the best the world affords, If
Jou chose to pay for 1t all.
For q week preceding Christmas the
,ood things from the country and from
III countries pour into the city, and by
christmas there is such profusion of
meats and poultry, Of game OF all kinds,
II nuts, fruits and confectionery, that |
he stranger would anticipate break In
,rices. Not SO, however, for prices go
ID to almost double. We saw capons
marked at five and six dollars each,
erse at the same tyures and turkeys at l
en- and fifteen dollars. But these were I
huice specimens, the like of which we
eldom see in our markets. The French q
POSSESS the art Of fattening in degree a
In. qualled by any ether nation than :
he Chinese. Their ordinary beef and = =
nui ton are like our show stalls on tie
I'd Of February, their poultry are fatted Z
Intll they lose the shapes of ducks, Z
hicKsns and turkeys; purk Is rarely seen a
or sale, aad most OF the hams, shoul-
ers and bacon bears the Chicago stamp.
To most people the watch, jewelry 1
md diamond stores are the most at :
judging ON the crowds al
Ways to be seen at the windows.
The picture and flower shops, how
yer, have their fair share Of curious
Ookers on, and tho Moorish bazars.
where all kinds of bric-a-brac is for
ale, have their visitors if not pur-
hasers. All Frenchmen are fond of
,ictures, and the windows filed with
he common daubs are almost as much
,eseiged as those of the fine art repos-
tories on the Rue des Italiens, whore
re exposed the finest pictures by such
r lists o, Messonnier, Doie, Chaplain =
sonat and many others. II
For u the shops have such )