The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1889-03-20
For the Central Presbyterian,
Two Festal Days in Paris.

Everything in France to-day undoubt-
eddy revolves about the name and person
of General Boulanger. am thus wildly
reminded of two visits to Paris, on both of
which occasions 1 found "the man on
horseback" Che poses best on high-met-
tied black steed, for which he is noted,
who is now so conspicuous in the eye of
the world, in some sort the hero of the
hour. The first of these occasions was
during the summer of 1885. A letter of
introduction from former minister to
France, and now the Vice-President of
the United States, had put me on excel
lent terms with Minister McLane, who
even went 80 far as to give me the use of
his official ticket to the diplomatic gal
lery. 1t was raining In torrents when I
arrived, according to appointment, at the
outer gates of the House of Deputies,
which is an impressive Grecian structure,
fronting upon the Seine, Immediately
across the river from the obeisk in the
Place de la Concorde The first person
I saw Except hsck-drivers) was Mr..
McLane himself, standing on the muddy
side-path waiting for me. So, through
the special kindness of this admirable
Southern gentleman (who, by the way,
was a brother of the late Mrs. General
Joseph E. Johnston), | was enabled to
secure what was nearly the best seat in
the crowded building. A brilliant and
excited debate had been anticipated.
There was debate, but mostly on the
budget and on Italian matters. There
was sensation" more than once, and
several votes were taken, but there was
nothing, l suppose, beyond the usual
frenzy of the Gallo parliament. Now
and then the door conducting into the
little stall-like gallery was opened and
an usher or somebody exclaimed, Make
way for Monsieur lAmbaesad- eur r.
At one such announcement the American
envoy came In, exchanged salutations,
and presently retired again. Just in
front Of me, but at the opposite end of
the short diameter Of the Chamber, was
a stout, energetic, striking-looking man,
with a head surmounted by a white
shock of hair, somewhat like that of DR..
Samuel Johnson, but still more resem.
bling that of Thackeray. The reader
must bear in mind that TIE present scribe
had once heard lecture from the lips
which uttered the criticisms on 1.-The
English Humorists," but that he never
enjoyed the privilege of gazing into the
countenance Of the author Of Rasselas.
The man whom / was regarding Cas- the
French say was on an elevated platform,
hard by "the tribune Cor speaking en-.
closure, ike pulpit, and behind baize.
covered table On the table. and near
the man, was large silvery bell, which
be was continually ringing, in the vain
attempt to preserve something like order
This was Floquet, then las recently
AGAIN. President Of the Chamber, and 30
lately Premier Of France. Boulanper
may have been there, but if 30 did not
see his face / saw one man there With
fierce black name and lustrous
eyes, who looked like the pictures
Ny last communication to you was begun
at Allrincham, near Manchester In England. in
q spacious old mansion With extensive grounds
begirt by a massive stone wall In front was q
green lawn shaded by considerable trees and
frngsd with a broad bed Of blooming flowers
in the rear was a rich, loamy, kitchen. garden.
By the way, I did not mean to say in that
letter that sarasah the great Spanish vrtuoso
was the most incompatible" Of living vioin-
ists, but only with due recollection Of Joachim
the Acknowledged king Of that instrument, and
Wilhemi) that he was almost Incompatible"