Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1882-08-18
ALEXANDRIA, VA, FRIDAY EVENING" AUGUST

OF the Bois Ge Doicgnc. Ti.c iir.r Il YES
that line Champs ElysceS presented u striH
ing scene, thousands of people filling the
chalrs to watch the procession Of vehicles
that are moving along OH the broad drive,
whilst still other thousands were promenad-
ing, and throngs of children were romping
and playing further back or viewing the
shows and flying horses The carriage-wa
was filled with vehicles, including many ele-
CANT private carriages, and brighter scene
OF Individual enjoyment could scarcely be
found anywhere else in the world.
Our untravcled companions were startled
by the stirring hriliancy of the scene pre-
senled, and after passing the gateway of the
iorllllcatlons, when we enctred the Bois de
BoloSne, the famous park Of Paris, their en-
thuslasm WAS increased teniold This park
contains over two thousand acres, and as far
as the eye could reach through the groves
that line The main drive, family parties and
pr"mrlIadrrsWerccr everywhere visible Once
IL was Il forest reserved for the kings to hunt
loI game, thenlt became haunt for robbers
and Il retreat for duclists, and subsequently
was converted into i pleasure resort, and is
now the great pride of Paris. as was evident
to-day by the picnic parties and family
gatherings that thronged its groves and the
numerous crriages that moved through its
broad avenues. The artificial lake, which is
ahont nall mile long, with u beautiful is
land III its centre, about one-third the length
OF the lake, presents scene Of enchanting
beauty, whilst the cascade at its head, and
the numerous swans moving about on its
surface, add TO the attraction of the scene,
The Jardin d'Aclimation is also one of the
attractions OF the park II contains fine
collection Of animals useful to man, includ.
ing elephants, camcls. ostriches and other
strange species No fcrociors animals are
maintained here, that honor being reserved
for the Jardn des Plantes, in far distant
section of the city. Adjoining the Bois de
Bologne is the race course Of Longchamps,
and beyond the gardens of st. Cloud
Whilst strolling along Boulevard Male
ShcrbcS this mornsng we found most of the
stores closed, but the restaurants, confec-
TONERS and all who sell refreshments or food
OF any kind, rs well as some fancy goods
stores. presented extraordinary attractions
to customers. The street cleaners were
about finishing their work, and the thor
oughfares presented their usual cleanly ap-
pearance. Wagons laden with iron castings
and building materials, hand-carts piled up
with casks, and mechanics at work on new
buildings or repairs were to be seen, and
the chilloniers were moving off with their
bags and hand-carts, containing their find
ings from the morning sweepings of the
streets. Men with their wives and children
and lunch baskets were moving towards the
:.epots in their best Sunday attire.
The scenes on the Champs Elysccs on Sun
day evening are startling to strangers unac-
customcd to Partisan life. The concert gar
dens and amuscmcnts Of all kinds We're in
progress, the miles ofchairs lining the drives
were filled with tired promenaders, the chill
dren were crowding around the Punch and
judy shows, all the way from the Arc de
Triomph to Place &c Ia Concorde and the
broad carria3e-way was so filled with yehi.
ces that slow driving was necessity AT
ter dusk the brilliant lights of the gardens
and cafes, and the double lights to all the
passing carriages, gave brillancy to the
scenc.--C g. +. IN Baltimore american.