New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1888-01-22
m CARNOT AT THE ELYSEE.
THE BEST SOCIAL TRADITIONS REVIVED
SOME NOTEWORTHY GUESTS.

.t,ot. :, PARIS utei tC see for himself how the
new bead of the State supported the dignity OF his
high Office That he did it unoommonly well was
tn @ universal verdict and many non-republicans
who came 10 scoff remained long enough to develop
an admirng belief in him. He wore on this occa-
sion the broad crimson ribbon OF the Grand Cross
of the Legion of Honor across his breast. and
his wife prettily dressed in white
satin, yellowsh machne-made lace used
as drapery, and crimson velvet. She
had crimson band round her neck from which
were suspended pendants of brilhants. The receP-
ton. which was preceded by a dinner, was what is
called an open one Theoretically, anybody in the
world has a right on such an occasion to walk up
the carpeted steps of the Presidents palace ana
snake the Presidents hand, whether an Algerian
pedler or Guadalupe niger. or uis-
tinguished Frenohman, or common oay
laborer Else what wouId DC .n0
meaning OF q Republicf But somehow this
generous hospitality is not abused. The french
are a people endowed with wonderful tact ana no.
body would think of going to one OF these open re-
centions who felt that he was likely for one reason
or another TO be false note the general harmony
On approaching the Elysee by the Faubourg St
Honore. with its tall prosac houses the attention
was called from long off by the blaze or llght
which illuminated II. The main entrance is not,
like Buckng ham Palace. across an open space OF
its own. but runs directly from the street
pavement and faces a row OF reIal
shops opposite. In fact 1t very closely
resembles Burlington House in PiccadllIy ana mas
the same sort of courtyard and flight of steps IN
the background After entering and making my
bow to the President, who extended his hand very
amiably and spoke few pleasant words passed
athwart a throng of military and naval officers to
the rooms beyond where found such a crowd of
of Sna0eS
as | can never RENE mber seeing in the same place
since Theirs was there in 1873 How well Mon
sIeur le President looks was on all SIDES the re-
mark 4" How afiable = How dignihed; YES
although slight of figure" " Have you seen
Grevy here r. Or Wilson !"
The latter quest1ons were asked faceiiously. Who
expects ever to see the setting showing himself
next TO the rising one' l noticed Lord Lytton.
who was making good use of his time in picking up
new and important acquaint1nces as last as ne
could The Impression he produced was favorable.
at least as regards hs social qualities. For the
rest no one can venture opinion, until he has
been in Paris little longer. At present the painters
and plastererS are still in possession of his En-
bassv residence. He appeared very deaf during
the evening constantly applying his hand like
sounding board to his ear.
The arrangement OF the suite of apartments was
almost identically the under the Grevy
regime and could recognize the same oil servants
engaged in handbag coffee. and rum punch
across the sideboard in the refreshment room
This room is always favorite lounge with the
guests, beng large cool and airy, and with plenty
of sitting accommodation for the ladies, who last
night made very pretty pictures as they re-
cliaed under canoples Of natural PALMS and ferns.
The place is not much room as
greenhouse, being made of glass and
Gfv 10 ha
through tho glass into the outer darkness and could
inst distinguish two soldiers of the National Guard
keeping silent watch. The part where they were
standing was the private garden OF tho Elysee INTO
which the public not admitted so that they could
not have been set there for ornament only, letting
alone the other consideration that was pitch dark
Mt tho time. suppose 1t is thought pos
sibe that some Aubertin might scale the
outer wall and guiding himself to the glass drawing
room BY the hight might take aim through the
panes ut another Ferry. Last night, had he come,
he could have shot the same Ferry, for lie Ton
KNOBS" was there, with Madame Ferry, receiving
congratulations on his recent escape. 50 was MS
great enemy NJ. Clemenceau who overthrow him
in the historic debate the Tonkin credits look
ing WELL and full of energy and ready if need be
to perform the same feat again
Lady Lvtton is decidedly nice-ookiDg and she is
wholly free from the Lady Clara We're de We're sort
OF haughtiness stupid stiffness. There Is an
agreea BILE play of Intelligence in her physlognomy.
Her husband introduced to her number OF politi-
cal men. and they returned the compliment by pre-
sentlng him TO their The belle of the even
ing was Jeanne Hugo, granddaughter OF the poet.
She was born in Belgium, and there is IN her some
thing of Belgian sonsiness and repose of manner.
She has superb complexion and beautiful, full
blue-gtaY eyes, ingenious and kindly as they
can be.
President and Madame Carnot stuck the right
note last night in regulating the tone OF Their
initial solree. They showed, without setting up
magulfcence, that they were at trouble and eX-
pense in making festal arrangements, and they
sacrificed with good grace TO the obligation OF
their position, amiabv Transforming their
quiet habits to bring them into accord with
their ne W functions Before the fierce light of the
topmost position which they fill beat upon
them they had a very quiet life, closed in between
their parents and children, unless when they went
into official society But yesterday they shook OIL
narrow dOmesticality and did the h0nors
of the Elysee with the smiling faces of persons
happy to see those who come to see them. One felt
in an atmosphere OF good breeding and social de-
cencv. The trouble the host and hostess were at
be to the greatest possible number es-
tablshed we'll the idea that nobody was to act as If
at home In short, there was return to the old
French tradition of urbanity and elegance. The
ladies came in charming tolettes and, indeed,
crowded in that respect, all sail As to the mate
rial arrangements, they charming and showed
the intelligent spirit Of the mistress OF
the house. Apart from the buffet there were
numerous little tables which refreshments were
laid out. The servants wore the blue. red and
silver livery of the President We were at court
minus its starched stiffness and fIgd etiquette.
court ruled by good sense aud honesty President
and Mme. Carnot are already great social success
General Bouanger has returned to Paris to be pres
ent at the sittngs Of the Promotions Committee at
the War Office He not last night at the
Elysee. functionary Of the War Office told me