The Washington critic., 1888-02-25
1.-THE CRITIC" ABROAD.
Weddings and Wedding Customs in
the French Capital.
THE oBELIsK OF LUXOR
Skating on the LaiecsAThe Cream
rics-Diagnifioent Churches
of Paris.

and festivals have in no way dimin-
ished since the change in government
from the Empire to the Republic.
There are numerous days observed by
the church besides legal holidays,
and every Frenchman and woman
celebrates their own fete, the day
dedicated to his or her patron saint.
For instance, st. Johns Day is a
festival for all men of that name,
while the countless Marys join in the
celebration Of the day dedicated to the
Virgin. On these occasions flowers
are presented to the person feted, and
so many are used that IL is almost inn
possible. 10, get a bouquet without
ordering II in advance should the day
be a popular one.
WEDDING FETEs.
Saturday is the great day for we'd
dings. II is q pretty sight to see the
brides with their friends on their way
to the Bois de Boulogne, where we'd
ding breakfasts are served. On Sat
urday last the restaurant adjoining
the Cascade was made gay and at
tractiye by fresh flowers and music,
while not less than twenty-one
couples, with their friends, assembled,
there to enjoy their nuptial feast.
The brides wore their wedding APP.
parel, with the exception of their
wells. Many had wreaths of natural.
flowers and carried large bouquets.
After the. wedding breakfast was
.served the music changed toa lively
waltz and all joined ina dance. This
custom is only observed by the mid
die classes, and dark, gloomy weather
idoes not interfere with their smerri-
4 ment, as the restaurants are provided
with everything that Partisan taste
'Oan suggest to make them attractive.
ANY one dining at these cafes can
- witness these pleasure parties. In
visiting the Luxembourg Galleryswe
saw a novel sight. A bride, with her
husband and, friends, came walking
in, and seemed to be much interested
in the paintings. The bride was
dressed in white silk, long train,
which hung in graceful folds, and
flowers ornamented heraha The
groom looked rather uncomfortable.
They attracted general attention.
A FAsHIoNABLE WEDDING.
A Wedding in the fashionable circle
of Paris, such as we attended to-day
in the French Protestant Church, was
in many, respects different from what
one sees in America. The handsome
dress of white, satin, with the bridal
veil and wreath of orange blossoms,
resembled much the costume worn
by American brides, but there was q
marked contrast in the ceremony.
The Xerger, with "a large bow of red
ribbon fringed with gold upon one
shoulder and holding a closed Bible,
met the bridal party at the door and
led them to the altar. Thermembers
of the family and intimate friends
formed. q long procession, and when
the bride and groom were seated in
large arm chairs placed for them in
the aisle. facing the chancel. full
choir sang the Lohengrin Wedding
March," The minister, from the pull
pit, read prayers not differing widely
from those used in The Church of
England. He then preached long
sermon,. at first addressing his re-
marks to the groom, then to the bride,
and at last pronounced a blessing.
This ended, two bridesmaids, dressed
exactly alike and wearing hats,
stepped to the bride, followed by
two groomsmen. We noticed that
each of the bridesmaids had small
bag made Of the silk of her costume,
and with these they proceeded to take
up collection for the poor of the
church. The young men, with silk
hats in hand, followed them from
pew to pew, while the choir rem
dered q fine selection. At last
the time approached for the marriage,
the ministers descended the. pulpit
steps, the bride and groom arose and
were married with ring. They then
knelt to receive the blessing and re-
j mained in this position while the
choir sang long prayer. The minis
ter then handed a bible to the groom,
which looked as though ithad already
served many generations, advising
him to take 1t as his guide through
life, to study and reverence it. The
ceremony, which lasted an hour, was
now completed. Music again filled
the great church, as the bridal party
passed into the yestry, where they re
ceived the congratulations of friends
before proceeding to their wedding
breakfast. ef
PLACE DE LA coNcoRDE.
The places of historic interest are
almost without number, but l will
write first of the Square or Place dt
la Concorde, the forum of Paris. Ir
the centre of this square stands th,
red. granite obelisk of Luxor, twin
monument with Cleopatra's Needle
erected on the Thames embankment
London. This obelisk stood befor,
the palace of the kings of Egypt a
Thebes, about 1850 years before tn,
Christian era, and was gift Of th'
Pasha of Egypt TO Louis Phillippi. l
is single block of granite, seventy
two feet high and weighs 1875 tons
Its removal was considered q miracle
of engineering skill and perseverance
requiring 800 men three months t.
remove 1t from Luxor TO the Nile an,
the expenses amounted TO $400, ,000
The pedestal on which it stands is
single block of gray granite. Upol
the northern side Of this pedestal
represented the apparatus employe,
in the removal and embarkation o
this beautiful Egyptian relic, and o
the southern side, that used in rails
ing it in position in the Place de
Concorde. The obelisk is lnscrihe
with three rows Of deeply cut an
well-preserved hieroglyphics on eac
side. On either side Of the 0belis
stands fountain, from whose circr
lar basin, fifty feet in diameter, Do
phins and winged children seem t
be clapping their hands in glee as th
water Is thrown up into vases, owe
the edges of which ii returns /