The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1883-12-06
AT \ PARIS PENSION.
GlimpSeS Of Life in a French Board
ing School.
Special Correspondents NATrOSAr TErnusr:


ers the boarding school in question is not OF
the conventional kind, and il is possible that
they may even be amused in imagining 1t for
themselves
Our English travels came naturally TO an end
when the summer closed, and, Of the two cur
rents Of floating Americans, we drifted into
that slighter one which was setting towards
Paris and a winter upon the Continent the
stronger current flowing suddenly with
great rush towards Liverpool aud America. In
October hotels and pensions in Paris are filled
TO repetition, aud happy is he who is recon-
mended Go the admirable heads OF the lnstltu-
ton whence ] write. When the little boy and
girl haye-onae To the awkward age and must
be tucked ont Of sight for a time, the anxious
mamma inquiries as 10 the location OF suita-
bic boarding school, its curriculum, aud,
whether she he a wise or a worldly mamma,
she asks also concerning the probable assocl-
ates OF Jack and Jill. AS to the location OF my
boarding school: il is on high ground, not so
far from tae Champs Elysces IS 10 shut out the
rumble of carr ages and the sight OF gaily-
dress d groups OF Sunday holdsy-malers But
the chief peculiarly OF its position is Its height
above ground. Ninety marble steps remove US
from terra fiTIna every time that we come home
tired from a sightseeing morning or shop
ming afternoon Ia other words, our pens on
is on the fourth floor OF large hotel. But
this is the French method of stating the truth
and does not convey a correct idea. The
French fourth is the American fifth floor,
and French hotel is an apartment building.
On our ground floor dwells Russian noble,
whose luxurious portiere reieiess oar eyes, and
whose beautiful carpet, spread from the gen
eraI doorway across the general hall to his pri-
yate door, gives suggestion ofsPlendor within.
Who live en- the two G0orS next above, the in
habi;ants of the top know not. The floor i'm
meGiateiy below is anoccupied, as / learned by
ringing Tic door bell seven times Yainly, when
/ nliscounted the steps ia my FIRST search for
the pension. Ninety steps seemed at first TO
constitute a long journey from the sidewalk TO
o dweling-place, but there are, happily, COM
Portable divans on every landing. and the hall
is beautiful one, which invites TO rest and
conversation on the way. Ninety steps more
over constitute an admirable tonic for the
memory. for no one is likely TO forget hand
kercllef card-case, umbrella or guide-bo
second time who has once been obliged 10 make
these pilgrimages.
But In our boardinc-school it is not so much
our position upon which we rely as our eurric-
alum and our discipline. Unlike the popular
school Of the day, we do not teach twenty
subjects. On the contrary. we teach only one
the French language, and this IN the most
admirable and thorough manner, at whatever
cost of time and labor TO master and pupil.
Oniy French is spoken, and this rule is en-
forced so strictly that the newly arrived CON-
pany at the end Of the table VIII probably
remain speeches. three months hence. More
over. six hoaTs' special instruction-the best
that can be devised-is bestowed upon every
pensionnaire In the course of the week, and
the rigidity with which these lessons are con-
Quoted is proved by the cocile manner in
which elderly ladies', whose speech viii never
improve retire TO their rooms after dinner TO
commit long tables Of la Eontaine TO memory
and write long manuscripts Of OllenGorf.
Monsieur is eE-professor OF literature of the
University Of France. Madame is a stately
woman Of the best type OF French Eniddle-ciass
women, accurately informed, able to talk
charminglv aud maintain with dignity her
place AZ the head Of her table, but primarily
good housekeeper who has no embarrassment
in appearing on demand from the kitchen,
where she delights in instrrcting ner cook and
compromising wonderful dishes.
At the Fable, Monsieur and Madame direct
the conversation, and that portion Of the corl-
pany which, having been first both desf aud
dumb, then dumb only, is now emerging into
the society Of French speakers, assists in the
discussion Of current French politics. Thus is
d fund OF current Information incidentally
scquired chiefly through the skillfui manage
ment of I1ischiey0us American youth who
early discovered that a difference Of opinion
exists between Monsieur and Madame. Mon
eieur j. a Chauginist Of the most extreme sort,
who believes that France viii shortly vanqnish
Germany, and offered me the pleasure OF see
Ing Prince Bismarck Gagged and exhibited after
the fashion Of penny peep-sho4s. Madame, on
the contrary, having an Inheritance Of phleg-
matte German raas0iabieaess, reveres the
power Of the German chancellor, and remem-
bers with modification that il was character,
not chance, which decided the result of
the late war Three times daily does
discussion ran high well bred enter
tanning discussion which leaves no bitter after
feeling-and i very improving to the minds
and pronunciation Of the istenergl When
the young King Of Spain vas made TO serve
Prince Bismarck as the butt Of practical joke,
the other day, he gave fine opportunity for
the mischievous American. Did Monsieur
really think that an iBsGlt was meantf" The
question was earnestly asked, and the mani
festatiOns which followed were slight, blt yari-
Gus and significant The American speaks
slowly aud distinctly, and the dumb end Of the
table always understands him. A fatigaed ex-
preston appeared throughout the region OF
new c9ners-tatiEle ia advance OF the oration
acrtain 10 follow II Nadameis eyes lurled a
fnbdued twinkle, a look OF amused certainty
that she should differ, and that she should he
right instantly came the expected torrent
An insult laeaat--lbut yes. how else? No one
eonld Object to the Kings accepting the honor
AIRY cglonelcy Of a regiment Of the German I'm.
pire. In that he does but follow the example
Of older, better men, wiser kings. But the
Dhlans2 No, no. There comes another cues
ton France hates the Uhlans. loathes thS
Uhlans, regards the Uhl@ns with horror. Why
make him colonel Of the ChsRsg Especially
why make the King Of Spain colonel Of thai
particular regiment Of Uhians which is q
present IN possession Of Grrasbourg2 No, no
Poor Little boy, poor Lad, poor young king, IN
happy Toy Of az evil monster, duh creature o
the Odi0us Bismarck 4 king who lets hiznsel
be made colonel Of that regiment Of Uhlan
which i in actual possession of Strasbourg, anS
then cones 20 Paris 10 be received as III,
friendly king Of friendly nationl But no
Row is be receiredf As he deseryes. but rs 4
IA unworthy OF FEance-of Parls--to receiT,
him, with street cries and boogings.n
Does Monsieur think that Spain VIII max
war upon France because the French govern
nent did not prevent these insults to the Kin
OF 6painf Or perhaps Prince Bismarck foresaS
this aud sent his new colonel Of the German i'm
Perial army to France to be insulte5 90 to secur
npretaxt for renewed Ear2S At this, despai
settled finally down upon the silent end Of ia
table. IL had been gathering like cloud an
became evident Ia the moment Of this cues
lion- Esda1le WAS waiting her turn. Tn
HubdGed twinkle had become brilliant fash
ing Of her dark eyes. Monsieur's wrat
mounted higher. 81 But yes, Of course, Gel
MANY longs for war in the very moment i
which she breads il. Germany fears us henc
her alliance with 90 many other nations; BIZ
nhe longs 10 fall upon Us Yes yes, German
longs for war. bismarck means war. And we
An yes, when was France unwilling to 20
war; But ii we 20 70 WARP All then wi