, 1884-04-24
THE FAMOUS FIGARO.
Origin and Rise OF the One Real
Great Journal In France
Established Thirty Years Aeo--.The
Most CosmopoIitan Newspaper In
Existenee---The Solfd ToLsas
OF Its Charity.


"
There are u good many other papers which
might he mentioned, but after all there Is
only one really great journal In this country.
Need | say | refer TO The Figaro. n journal
established thirty years ago OH a capital OF
1900 francs, and which now pays yearly
dividends amounting to more than $500 ,00oi
HippOlyta de Nillemessant came up to Paris
from the little village of Biols in 1889. and
Two years later entered upon journalism MS a
reporter oil The Presse, signing his articles
"Louis de Saint Loup," the name OF his
grandmother. There was then as now an ad-
Vertising agency, DollinRen Il Co, and IL
WINS the head Of this firm who in 1854, in
partnership with de Villenlessant, estab-
lished the journal which has since become a
power throughout the world No new
paper Is holder; no editorial staff comprise
more talent; no paper is oftener quoted
none is more frequently praised or more
often blamed than this arne great daily of
the Rue Drouot. 1t had its early struggles. Its
years OF poverty. before it became rich
and powerful. In 1871 during the
Commune de Villemessant was forced
70 leave Paris. He took refuge
in Switzerland and one day, finding his
finances growing short. paid of his valet de
chambre with four shares of the stock of The
Figaro. The par value of each share was 500
francs, but they we're not then worth the one
nhlt OF tnut sum. ell, those Tour knnreSn are
still in the family of the eI-valet de chambre,
and they are now worth 5000 francs apiece.
and for u good many years past they have
been paying IL per cent. per annum OF that
sum. As soon as things got settled down
once more after the war with Germany and
the Commun the paper began to pay hand
somely.
Very eclectic aud always hospltable, The
Figaro reinforced its regular staff by a whole
army OF occasional contributors, which com
prise many Of the best known names in liter
allure. 1t is always instructive, entertaining
and amusing, and, without exception, II Is
the most cosmopolitan journal In existence.
II IL read md appreciated all over the civil
lied world, on the Pacific coast OF north
America, in the backwoods OF Russia, In the
republics OF South America and in the Euro
pean settlements in Asia and Africa;
in brief, all around the globe. Its epitome
of foreign news may sometimes be
a day or two late, but it is always well chosen
and skilfully arranged, Its reports OF fash,
Ionable events, of the turf, Of new plays and
operas are always well written and often pre-
pared in 50 seductive u way as to set the
whole town talking about them. 1t has d
yood many friends and a great many enemies,
hut even the latter will generally frankly ad-
init that the best journalistic talent in Francv
Is to be found in the employ Of The Figaro.
| don't know II there is another paper in
the worli which pays such princeiy salaries
to the principal members of its staff and
there are very few which equal it in the en-.
%peudituIe of money IN the matter Of foreign
correspondence or in the sending OF its repre-
sentatires long distances to report big events.
The dftor-in-chie including his share in til,
profits, receives ut least SIS, 900 per Al.
mum. Mr.. Perivier and Mr.. de Rodays,
wbo also share in tine profits, receiv
about S2+ 900 each. The salaries Of tn
editorial staff range frum 81, 5OJ to $40, 900,
while special articles are paid for by the line,
the prices varying from j to 20 cents u line,
according to contract an the reputation OF
the writers. While waiting for their pools
the editorial staff have at their disposal u
5 Tile d'Armes,' where they can ANUS
themselves with u bout with Fencing Master
Nrgeant, and II Salon DIES JeuI," where
there are card tables for piquet and ecarte.
One feature in the management OF this
great Partisan journal is its charity. No great
misfortune, no public calamity, 40 private
suffering ever fails to receive from the cash
box of The Figaro solid tokens of its sym.
pathy. 1t is also the greatest alms-gathsrer
in France; IL opens subscription lists for this,
that or the other good work. A few years
ago it collected in this way more than 500,
600 in aid of the Catholic schools, and since
1871 its public subscriptions AVE yielded
more than $500, 900 for benevolent pur-
poses. 1t is also u great organizer OF
benefit performances and charity fetes. The
Figaro's performance ut the grand opera for
the sufferers by the Hoods in Hungary brought
in $4,000 for those stressed people, and
only the other day, thanks to its assistance,
All old and excellent a'.iess, long since re-
tired from the stage, hal a benefit perform-
ance at the Vaudeville theatre, which brought
her in over 5000. Besides making other
give, it also gives itself largely and systemat
ically. Ten years ago it established a charity
fund, from which a large sum is disbursed
daily, aud two men are employed all the time
in investigating the cases OF those who pre-
sent themselves for assistance at The Figaro
office