The Washington critic., 1888-02-25

Antoinette, the daughter, wifeyand
mother of Kings, was bound TO the
fatal plank, and amid the maddening
shouts OF "yive Ia Republique," her
head was raised on high, welcome
sight TO the multitude. Among those
who ended their life upon this spot
were Charlotte Corday, Madame Ro-
land, the tyrant Robespierre, and hun
dreds Of his associates in crime. The
statue of Louis Nv, which stood at
one time in the centre of the square,
was melted and coined into pennies.
At the four corners Of this place are
very large allegorical monuments OF
snowy whiteness, representing some Of
the most important cities in France.
Ever since 1871 the statue represent
ing Strasbourg has been draped in
mourning.
SKATING.
The Parisians are very fond Of
skating, probably because it is such a
transient pleasure with them. The
weather changes 80 rapidly that the
ice on the lakes seldom freezes to any
depth. Those in the Bois de Bou-
logne and at Vincennes are we'll
adapted for this exhilarating pastime.
Sledges for ladies and skates for hire
abound on the banks II is amusing
to see how every small piece of ice is
priced by the Parisians. Men are
employed to cut ice in the basins Of
fountains, even when the layers are
extremely thin. They, however,
abhor ice water and call IL an Ameri-
can poison.
THE CREAMERfEs.
The Creameries in Paris are gem
orally models Of order and,neatness.
Young girls or womenin whiteiaprons
and caps serve the customers, while q
| responsible looking matron sits
at the desk supervising the
business and keeping the books. In
| Paris women seem to have
monopolized the occupation Of book
keeping One of the butter stores Of
Paris which we visited was near the
| Grand Market 'I4a Halle" The
| large window contained large bou-
| quet of fresh flowers, a glass-coyered
stand containing London cheese and
the double creme suisse. inside there
was a long horseshoe counter or table,
| VIII ere eggs and cheese were sold, and
on either side marble tables, each
containing about four huge masses of
butter, shaped like an inverted firkin.
| Over each mass was hung q delicate
silver wire about two feet long, both
ends terminating in piece of cork.
With this wire the saleswoman would
cut, almost always exactly, any
amount ordered, from half quarter to
pound. 1t being costly product,
| and ol r,ttrohouaJ 1atIu opa IL
quantities are the rule.
THE Bow-KNoT TRADE.
What American would think it
possible to, earn livelihood. by tying
bow knots. It's a fact that men dc
earn good income in Paris by this
many balls and parties are given, and
the trade Of "knot maker" or "tier Of
cravats' fourishes. The good "knot
maker goes from house to house in
his cab or brougham, making short
visits, much resembling a physician,
or cafe singer, who is hired by several
restaurants the same evening. In
many instances the cravat is arranged
in the space. of two minutes, and the
fee varies from forty cents to dollar
in our money. One might think
that winter would be the only har
vest-time of this unique trade, but
even in summer the services of these
men are employed for weddings
baptisms and funerals.
THE MAGNIFICENT CHURCHES
of Paris are interesting on account o.
the rich paintings, sculptures ant
frescoes, with which their interior
walls are ornamented. On the south
side. of the Seine, in the fashionable
Faubourg Saint German, is the
| Church Of Sainte-C Clotilde. Here the
first organ, worked by electricity, has
:. recently been erected. The acoumu,
lators' are placed behind the high
altar, whence the wires are connected
with the keyboards and the organ
pipes. The church is one Of the
handsomest pointed monuments oi
the modern school of architecture
The principal facade has three doors
and there are two elegant towers
The interior is of fine proportion
little decorated, but well relieved by
the beautiful modern stained-glas;
windows.
THE AMERICAN CHAPEL
4 in Rue de Berri is built of stone, il
the Gothic style. The interior il
plain,. and in good taste. The pulpit
pews and choir are of solid oak. Th,
church is supported by pew rents
contributions, and collections from
residents and strangers. There are ;
great many Americans sojourning il
Paris at this season, judging from thu
good attendance at this church. b.