Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1883-08-08
From Our Regular Correspondent
Paris Letter.
PARIS, June %, 1883.


rs are the Parisians the chief attraction o.
to-day conferred in the review on the long
champs race course. Thither half Paris
ourneyed, each using the means hes
suited to his wish or his purse-by car
rage, train. boat, and, if not by these, OF
foot. Certainly those who faced a four OF
five mile tramp might have done more
unwisely, seeing that their way lee
through the gaity of the Champs Elysees
and the trimly-kept beauties of the Boi
de Bologna. For some hours before the
appointed time of the review a continuous
stream of sightseers poured into Suresnes
and the open spaces around, lunchinf
under the trees, staring at the handsome
cavaliers of the Garde dc Pars, quarreling
with the dictatorial policemen, and rush
ing from point to point to witness thu
successive arrivals of troops. BY all the
many tree shaded roads which lead up to
the race course advanced long columns Of
blue coated and red trousered soldier J
looking very picturesque, despite thei
monotonous uniform. as they defiled under
the dense green of the foliage above
Horse, foot and cannon debouched fol
nearly three hours from under these
wooded highways, and advanced to take
up their position in the wide, open plain
of the race course, forming dense moses
as they drew up in close column OF
companies facing the grand stand. AT
last there was a hutter of excitement a,
the staff and the group of foreign officers
cantered down the road. and drew up at
the point where the president was expected
The French generals, were, of course,
gorgeous in their gold laced blue coats,
heavy gold epaulettes, white breeches and
high boots, with the becoming cooked hat
over all, but even amongst these and the
crowd of Prussian, Russian, and Austrian
officers, there was no object. save the
robes and turban of an Algerian officer,
more conspicuous than the familiar and
soldierly red coat of an English general,
who was the eynosure of all eyes. Standing
out from the sombre habiliments around
il, the scarlet could be seen all over the
field, fact pleasing enough at parade,
but from strictly military point of view
Il disadva ntage. After some ten minutes
delay and a short time after two o'clock
had struck, the cortege of President Grevy
began 10 arrive. First came some half
dozen carriages, escorted by squadron
of dragons, but in few minutes more
the carriage of the chief of the republic,
surrounded by ponderous and shining
cuirassiers, came along the road at a
quick trot, crossed over to the grass, and
went straight towards The grand stand
without halt or delay, followed closely by
the staff. AS the carriage rolled quickly
over the vast enclosure the tt oops presen-
ted arms, salute of twenty one guns was
fired, and the drums and trumpets of all
the bands sounded fanfare. Amidst this
almost royal state the president took his
seat in his box, while the bands changed
to the stirring notes of the "Marseillaise. :"
1t was to be remarked, however, that
hardly cheer was heard during the whole
time of thu progress from the immense
crowds assembled, and throughout the
review none of that enthusiasm was
displayed which like occasions elicit from
an American gathering, and which was
,fin fn ha l;uoJx, n
people rs the French. There was no lack
however, of reason for excitement, since
General Thibaudin and his staf, having
lrawn up opposite the president, the ma rch
,ast began with but little delay. General
Thomas led past the gendarmes, republic
AN guards, and engineers, while Generals
Milot and Iaca did the like
ervice for the three infantry columns.
The artillery, clumsily dressed as the men
re, made an excellent show as regards
discipline and drill under General Grevy,
While the cavalry, under General de
1rcssot, brought up the array with the
clat that cavalry always impatts. For
What must have seemed long time to the
of the crowded grand stand
md the weary people wedged round the
course, the troops continued their defile,
being marched off TO their various destin a
ions as soon as they had completed their
'ound. Even this came to an end at last.
md the people having seen and stared
heir fill, wendell homewards as best they
could. There is something peculiar to
'oreign eyes in the low averge stature of
he men, their ungainly dress, and their
high stepping tramp and irregular swing
ing of arms. But as an attraction and
to the pleasure loving
Parisians it was decided success.