The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-05-27
SWALLOWS ON EIFFEL TOWER.

From 'he London Telegraph
A pair OF swallows have built their nest
on the very summit of the Eiiiel Tower,
right under the vast and Tapping folds OF
the great tricolor. There the little birds
fit and work and perch, bringing material
for their lodging "a Ia belle etelle" all the
way from the mud and mortar heaps be-
low TO the uppermost inter of the stupen-
dous obelisk OF lattice work. The report
says they have made their abode on the
tiptop OF the Eilel Tower and have taken
possession as II the structure had been
built expressly for them. There is some
thing veiy charming in this calm appro-
priaiion, SO characteristic OF the light and
lively bird. Like other tourists, they had
made up their minds, doubtless, TO sec
the Exhibition, but also, like other
tourists, they were much troubled about
lodgings. Moreover the cares Of family
must occupy swallows in May, and yet it
would. seem stupidity to be at Paris and
not see the show. Arriving from the
South, they take few turns in the air,
and spy the Eiilel Tower. "rhe very
thing for u.s." the male bird must have
exclaimed; there is house 1000 feet
hight, above the smoke and away from the
gaminsl We can settle splendidly here au
yingticme, and pass the best OF all possible
times" The hen bird agreeing in his
view that the tower was raised by NJ.
Eiilel on purpose for swallows, the couple
Of small tourists, in black satin and silver,
proceeded ut once 10 discover nice snug
angle in the ironwork, and there they are
now installed as comfortably rs any dis
tinguished arrivals at the Grand Hotel
or the Louvre, with the additional
advantage of having nothing 10 pay.
Surely these must DO the very swallows
sung OF so gracefully by Theophie Gautier,
who had the discussion about the best
place TO spend the winter, on which occa.
sion the hen remarked: "By the Second
Cataract there's q statue OF Old Rameses.
And his neck Is nicely cracked" where
upon they repaired 10 Syene, and roasted
in the iissure OF a monarch's throat Moth
ing evidently Is sacred 10 swallows, any
more than TO sappers; or shall II not rather
DO said that they make everything sacred
by their pretty confidence aud friendliness
for man2 These traits ought 10 be met in
the same spirit, and We doubt not
that the curators OF the new Tow
or OF Babel will give strict or
ders that the occupants Of the little
lodge on the top are 10 be solemnly re-
| spcc,cd. Who does not remember the
story OF the swallow in Flanders 80
charmingly related by the poet Long
fellow? one Of these birds built nest In
the apex OF the tent Of the Emperor
Charles OF Spain. "Docs this audacious
swallow think his Majesty n maoho or
muledriver7" an old llidalgo mutiered
fiercely; but Charles, hearing II, said:
''Nay, she is Golondrina, she is a de-
sertor's wife, come TO stay with me, aud
The joke put all the camp into good spirits,
for Golondrino means In Castilian both
swallow" and runaway" so that
the bon.mot was considered very happy.
Moreover, the birds remained in their
nest NIL through the cannonading
Of asiege, and as the eggs were not haichod
when the town was taken, the Emperor
commanded that the tent should be left
standing. Aud there the imperial tent
actually remained for weeks after the
Spanish army bad marched away, Tapping
! lis royal cloths In the sunshine and the
rain. fer the sake OF the bold, trusiiul little
guests who had not feared 10 claim COM
radoship With the grim Emperor Of Spain.
Then the army, elsewhere bent Struck
lis tents ~ II disbanding; Only not the
Emperors tent, for he ordered, ere he
went Very CURLY. Leave IL standingl'"
We should be inclined TO take the nest.
ing Of these swallows on the top OF the
| Ellicl Tower ~ good omen for France.
Who would not wish her well2 Who does
not dcsire that she would lay aside the
~ oil
| less, ruinous days, and, making friends
with Germany aud the world, be content
TO dominate mankind, rs she can well do,
by grace and wit by taste aud artistic gift,
by her countless high qualities, and those
OF bounlies which nature layishcd on her
soil and pcoplc7 A peaceful and prosperous
/ France would mean rcposc and progress for
al Europe. A France which, after having
dictated all modes aud fashions 10 man
kind, should take Il into her beautiful
head 10 make peace and good will fashion
/ able, roconciliaiiona and submissions FASH
! ionable, friendships between nations and
the closing OF old blood-icuds fashionable,
and glory" revolution" and political
and military demonstration" generally
questionable should We not owe
to such turn In her idcasY DO the swal.
| lows on the topo Eiilcl Tower twittcr and
| talk about these n,attersl DO they, who
| have seen all the countries, aud flown over
/ tho green battle fields, and the graves COW
cred with corn and flowers, wonder why
man Is 10 mad2 How Is Il that they trust
| him who docs not trust his kind, nor
ever cease TO be selfish. violent, proud and
bloodyg In the old classic legend Proonc,
the swallow, died Of grief In Consequence,
| OF the evil behavior OF TcrcuA, King OF
/ Thracc; and she was sister 70 Philomeia,
the Nightingale, whoN ltylas at Daulis, q
story quite Iolacsque In It's tragedy and
horror. Is Il Procno and Tcrcus who have
| come back 10 life, and 10 Paris, TO see
whether republics behave rs ioolishly as
monarchios2 They cannot be ordinary
swallows because these little birds
arc exceedingly sagacious ana would
never as rulo lay their eggs 10
city where they cannot be sure
the government will not change De-
fore they can hatch them. Are lney,
thon, the ro-incarnatod spirits oil some OF
the characters OF tho Revolution, returned
TO the Seine In unsupported shape 70 sec
Paris and her Republican gnyctyI IN INA,
case are they "reyenants' from inc o'u
nobility barbarously gulllotined, OF rcylM-
fed members OF tho Committee oil fupne
Safety DO they come TO twis.er revongc,
or TO chirp congratulations or must W.