The Republican journal., 1886-11-18
European Sketches.
PARTISAN PUBLIC BALLS.

III Is Salu ana uouDlesS Win mlcn truth,
that there are greater attractions to the average
American tourist in the study of habits and
characteristics in the public bathrooms of the
| gay city, than in any other of the sights within
| her boundaries, either of instructive or scduc-
tive tendency. If this he so it goes to show not
so much the depravty of our countryman, as a
desire to see life in the French capital where it
can best legitimately cast aside all common re-
straintS, and assume the free and easy manners
natural to that race TO say that these public
| dances are not lowering to morals would be alb
surdly untrue. 70 brand them as the greatest
| of the many evils and the foundation-StOne Of
| the larger part of the misery and unhappincss
in the metropolis. il unjust Would Paris be
more moral and wholesome without them? We
| doubt it, Let us give them credit for giving all
| people of moderate station means for relaNa-
ton: what comes of evil through their brilliant
halls and avenues would hardly be less wicked
| elsewhere. Americans wish to see all sides.
Our countrymen are 10th to make haStv decs-
| ions, or to criticize and condemn on hearsay
! only. Then isn't there excuse sufficient for an
occasional visit to the Mabiile? or, cyen if acttl-
ally necessary for thorough study, Il quadrille
now and then:
The writer's first visit to the MabiI!e was he
wdering. Several years ago Say about
Eighty. many true-bluc Pari>ans who had
danced, and snuntercd, and flirtcd and made
| merry within its brilliant avenues We're dumb
founded to learn that their favoritc resort was
to be sacrificed to The growth of the great city.
In place of the ballroom floor, the shady walks,
the bubbling fountains and cosy retreats, We're
to grow up majestic buildings and palaces
Such was its fate. To-day little is heard in
| Paris of the JarCiin Mabic. The merry dane
| er> who thron@ other and lesser bathrooms
will oft-ime> speak of the ilirtation> carried on
at the MabIe OF Of the brilliant asscmblages
seen there of yore, but that is all. This is as
we saw it ten years ago; after short promo
| made up the Champs Elvsces at a spot where
six little fountains are placed in the centre of
the roadway, branches oil a wide street, the
| Avenue Montague. Down this avenue a little
distance and we reach a great entrance gate !;
| over it is spelled in brilliant gas lets Ma
| B-I-I-I-E There is no miStakrg it. We have
reached the centre of the earth at last. Paris
Is the centre of the whole universe and the Ma
| billie is Cor WaS) the grand centre of Paris. 1t
| would hardly be polite for any American to
| question the truth of this assertion in the pres
| enre OF native IarlSlinS, even II OF different
mlnd- 1t is so easy. where people are sens-
tive. to humor them in their whimS; we did,
and IN this ease with little effort.
At the time Of our visit this garden was open
| every evening; the night i'll question was a gala
! nlgh1, Of which there We're three each week,
ednesdaN, Saturday and Sunday. On such
| occasions the price OF admission was raised TO
i've francs, ana fireworks and extra attractions
| '''
Ip"hN' ti''i''S are aNhl'teu lfce. However,
| '"!it were JNttP'iols TO tn'S fttiG' ne ad-
I!ilNSio" :" ,"'E' ~ iShN II even hf;|"h'N al
| urea, seemed never 10 DE questioned; they were
"'dN ~ Cards nose WIN niue StNie ana less
| S'u''N "fcSS' ana partlculafY any win the
I'aS' aPprod'h 10 >happHitSs, We're %eieraiy
l"'" titic was no room. tiEhaclcr' Or 1uc
| N'n' ol II; seemed not 10 ihatter' 50 tlit 'here
| We're Jewels to sparkle and silks to rustic. But
| the lark OF such properties was not above cure.
| AlieHuthtcfoi tllt Mahllle tod the writer that
Wiliiou' doHhl, more IMAM nail thc women
| Nl'iin ii!e wan, OF Inc Establishment We're
| .p"tt"i3 III ilre't hlefN. lhcfe are creatures
| III iafl> ANA many OF them, WHO make a living
| rhllfey hN purchasing the ra>-oti clothing OF
ifle cofotte III l'lil leather ana re-Vehdlng to the
| leSS fortunate one; 10 those who are not able
| TO purchase, tins obhgng dealer will teHd what
| IS required, by the day, be IT understood
| ana woe to the unhappy woman who fails in
| payment! She Is often followed in the street
/ hH lhlS iheNorabe wretch and compelled TO re-
| turn the borrowed articles on the spot, unless
| she can llhd means promptly to satisfy the de
| maild. Nhen the corotte is, however. fairly
| started and likely to prove fortunate in her
| calling. the Wardrobc-'lcaler will take her in
| hand, furnish apartments for her. and pre>id-
| lh@, herself, as the ruling goddess Of the c>tab-
| llShnent. issue invitations. All the cocotcS of
| her acquaintance and the fast men of their ac-
| quaintance attend these little Soirees Of Made
| moi>cIlc Luphra>ie who thus in short time
| becomes notorious. From that time She is seen
1 4l.,. 4, Il l.. Al