Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-11-03
Buffalo Bill Gives His Opinion Of the
Gay French Metropolis.
PEOPLE WHO ENJOY THEMSELVES
Value of an American Acquaintance in
Foreign Country.
A NEW LIGHT ON FRENCH CHARACTER
,covDv.poNnENcE OF THE pIspArcH, ]

who have done me the honor to call has been |
great, and it sometimes seems as if I had be-
come acquainted with more OF my country
men in Paris that in all the time have
spent at home. This impression is probably
accounted for by the eagerness with which
man in foreign country recognizes another
man who 'ttalks United States;" so that
every acquaintance made here weighs more
than q dozen ordinary introductiOns at
home.
I have referred to the number Of American
visitors in order properly to explain why
venture to write anything concerning my
views of France and the French people; for
probably not one In twenty Of my American
visitors has failed to ask:
"Well, Colonel, what do you think OF
Parish"
The question has been so general and evil
IDENTIFY SO genuine that am led to believe
that the readers Of American newspapers
would be interested in the observations OF
countryman who is American from skin 70
bone, who has played his little part in the
development of our bOundless resources,
and who, perhaps, is more distinctly Anne
rican than the majority, because he has
passed a great part of his life on the plains
and amid scenes that can be reproduced,
believe, in no other country on the face OF
the globe.
WHAT he THINKS OF PARIS.
What do think of Paris? It is a ques-
ton that strikes mans funny bone at the
same time that it perpleJes him; for it can
not be supposed that an answer can be given
in one word, or a dozen, and while in
chance conversation it may be passed over
quickly, it becomes very delicate affair to
reply fully and freely in print 1t is easy
enough to say, "Paris is pleasant and
beautiful" Every visitor knows that, and
every American who reads, believes it.
take it that something more than mere
complimentary verdict is wanted, and yet, at
the same time, should be the last to put
nv wits together in order to pick flaws; for
the French have been very kind to me in
every particular. If there have been slight
diSagreements, or Misunderstanding between
myself and contractors once IN while, they
are matters of no consequence whatever.
They do not reflect discredit of any sort on
the French people, for such misunderstand-
ings are to be found everywhere. Business
is business the world over, and the methods
| OF making LuOuSg ASiO oAO AuSA Oh0 o1AAAS
as in America,
When it comes, however, to French char
scter, think that the attitude Of the gen.
ersl public should be taken into account,
and, if the reader will pardon me for refer
ring somewhat to the business In which L
have been interested here, will try to give
a candid view of the French as they have
come to my notice. must refer to the busi-
ness which brought me here hecarse it has
been in the light of business principally
That I have seen the people. That is, can
not speak as an ordinary tourist. / have
seen the French under especial circum.
stances, and in the light of those circum-
stances shall speak as well as can.
The first thing, then, is this: Paris is, as
has been reported again and again, q most
beautiful city. The streets are clean, the
atmosphere is pure, and the buildings are
we'll cared for. AT first glance the build
have expected, for they do not tower up to
12 or 10 stories; but they are all substantial
and we'll kept. The main streets are broad,
more or less straight, and everything seems
to be done to keep good order and health
well in view.
FRENCH GENEROSITY.
/ When we came here for the summer season
, of 1889 there was naturally considerable
, difficulty in finding suitable location. W.
: were in great measure unknown, for thu
? French, it seems, do not take things fol
) granted. They wish to see for themselves
t I cannot help therefore expressing my pro
5 found gratitude to such people as the Mayor
: of Neuilly, who did everything possible fo
our comfort, who evidently could not d.
enough. He was only one of several wh'
put themselves to much trouble in orde
that we should get we'll established.
Through his and other similar acts cam
to realize what was meant by French polite
ness. It is genuine courtesy, and while tn
forms of conduct may appear extravagant t
some Americans, it seems to me that the.
are genuine expressions of regard. I canno
helm feeling that the French are extremel,
hospltable and generous. That is, they d
not condemn man before he is prove
guilty. They willingly take his word 70
what he is and do what they can to promot
his interests.
A great deal has been written in the pas
about the Frenchman's dckleness, his loy
of display, etc. have not found this Judg
ment justified by my experience. hav
been concerned here in giving an entertain
ment characteristic of certain features {
American life, We do not parade i
spaugled clothing, we have no gran
scenery. no spectacle of the ordinary kinC
in fact, nothing has been done to give an
artificial effect to our performance. W
sppear in exactly the same costume in whlc
Q we rode about the plains, and every featul
i of our properties, to use theatrical tern
II is of the plainest description. Do tt
5. Frenchmen dislike it, accustomed as the
are to seeing a wealth of splendor in the
| Nnk . oil
d are deeply impressed with the plain genuin
sr ness of the exhibition that we give. In a
" our experience have not known peop
v who came more repeatedly than the FrenC
n to see our representation. They take pail
lr to inform me and my associates of their a
,e probation of the homely features which v
ye bring into the foreground.
re All this would seem to show that Il
( French are anything but superficial in the
,e observations. They care more for the plai
IN rough representation of the pioneers ii
7e than for the gaudy glitter of the circus al
the modern shows generally. Further thi
W that, they correctly appreciate the indlVl
ne nal features OF the Wild West. They u
as derstaud what we are about when we e
re deayor to illustrate life on the plains
of wears ago, a manner of life indeed, that b
of not vet entirely gone out of existence.
IS, PLEASED WITH HIS EXPERIENCE.
" " 1. is easy to see that have been il
N ~ mensely pleased with my experience hel
n 4 It could not be otherwise where people a
- so uniformly kind as the French have bee
y It has not been merely the kindness
=. =, patronage; the matter touches much deep
u than that Their appreciation of the emit
Al tainment they have received has led them
" express themselves in more ways than
tendance at the performance. Various
?S the distinguished men have sent me tes
~ ~ monials in the shape of curious weapon
oas fine pictures, etc., and an association OF
o. % tired army officers, all members of t
L. Legion of Honor, elected me an honora
in member. Add to this, that more hospii
ce BILE invitations are sent to me than I o
possibly. accent, and you have Q fair i'd