Omaha daily bee., 1890-05-26
MUSIC AMONG The TREES.
Formal Opening Of the American Students
Association in Paris,
PROMINENT AMERICANS PRESENT
An Eloquent Speech by Minister
Whitclaw Reid aud DcClama-
tious 10y Mrs. Frank Leslie
and Miss Hooper.
[copwtgnt 1890 by James Gordon Bcnuca.1

tCopwigt 1890 by James Gordon Bcnuc,t.1
PARIS MAY 25.-i New York Herald Cable
Special to THE BEE. The comfortable
rooms of the American Students association,
l3l Boulevard Mont Parnasse, were formally
opened last evening, Mr. Whtelaw Reid,
American minister, and "a Number of prom
incnt members of the American colony being
present. The students themselves turned out
in crowds and enjoyed to the utmost the fcte
prepared for them, as well as the prospect of
many pleasant evenings ahead. The garden
was brilliant with Chinese lanterns, while an
orchestra discourscd appropriate music from
among the trees. a platform draped with the
stars and stripes had been arranged near the
house for the speakers, and the important per-
sonages of the evening were seated in front.
There were several hundred gentlemen and
ladies, among them being Rev. DR.. Thurber,
Rev. Mr. Newell and Mrs. Newell, DIR. and
Mrs. Lowrie, Mr.. Alexander Harrison
Vicomtesse de Sibourg, Mrs Aver, Mrs.
Frank Leslie Judge Johnston, Mrs. G.
A. StOddard, Mrs. Lucy Hooper and
Miss Hooper, Mrs. Captain MacGowan,
Mr. c. w. Stone Mr.. p. Snyder Miss Law
renee, Miss Foss, Mr.. and Mrs. Clinton
Peters, Miss Jennie DeLong. Mr.. Douglas j.
Concah, Mr.. Rob Rand Walter and Miss
Walter, Mrs. Fordham and the Misses Ford
ham, Mr.. Potter, Miss Mellen, Miss Stephen
son, the Misses Hill, Mrs Osgood, Mr.. Pope,
Mr. Tounsley, Mr.. Sheiwn, Mr.. Dcland, MIR.
Peterson, Mr.. Thomas Reynolds, Miss Keller,
Mr. and Mrs. Lazar, Mr.. H. A. Nevins, Mr..
George Hanshalter, Mr. G.. w. Picknell, Mr..
Drake, Mr.. L. Harvey, Mr.. l.. Davis, Mr.. l..
5. G.. Parker, Mr.. Leslie, Mr.. G.. Cauldwell,
Mr. Madbcrry, Mr.. j. NJ. Ncill and Mr.. w. X.
Gillett Mr., A. a. Anderson, the president
of the association, introduced various speakers
and artists, first of whom was Mr.. Whitelaw
Reid, who spoke as follows: THE request to
say few words at the opening of this Ameri-
can Students association was one that could
not be refused-it imposed duty and it con-
ferred an honor. l respond to one cheer
fully and make my best acknowledge
ment for the other enterprise inaugu-
rated here. 1t has in it no element
of charity or propagandism. 1t is move
mcnt originating among Americans for Amer
lean artists in Paris, and is intended for
American artists and is likely to be of some
service in developing Americans 1t presents
plan for enabling u large number of young
art students in a strange city to help them
selves and increase both their strength and
their comfort by associating their efforts,
and offers agreeable headquarters and COM
mon meeting ground for such of these young
men as have not forgotten their Americansm
OF lost GlIriI desire for American news,
American faces and some features of life
they left at home. We are here in the heart
of the Latin quarter. There is not much in it
at first sight to save young men fresh from
the new world from great sense of isolation
and loneliness, yet nowhere else in Europe is
there such Il concentration of young Ameri-
cans studying for any profession in all Eu-
rope. There are probably not one-third as
many students of art anywhere else-a few
go to Munich and a few to Rome, Italy, or
elsewhere, but aside from these almost all
students from a nation that numbers Co.
100000 people, who seek instructions in
art anywhere in the old world,
are gathered within mile or two of this
spot. The organizers of this association as
sure me that there are in this movement 800
American art students in Paris. Americans
will regard with satisfaction the marked ten
dency to artistic pursuits. In the interest
shown by their young cOuntrymen, both at
home and in this recognized art centre of the
world, no one can fail to see what genera
ations of study and the enjoyment of art have
done for the French people. Who else the
world over could have made last years brill
liant display and achieved with it marvellous
financial success on Champ de Mars.
Our own people have been busy
developing the continent, and have
led the world in subduing the forces of
nature, yet art has an honorable past in the
United States and boasts many worthy
names. 1t has made metropolitan museum
not unworthy great city which is the gate
way to the continent, and | congratulate you,
gentlemen on entering this field at moment
so auspicous, and rejoice with every Amer-
can, at the prospect that widens before you.n
Having spoken thus, when the clapping of
hands had ceased, Mr., Reid turned to white
haired gentleman at his side, and speaking
in French introduced to the gathering him
famous artist, NJ. j. l.. Gerome, amid storms
of applause NJ. Gerome arose and delivered
short speech, after which came music and
declamations-t latter by Mrs Frank Les
lie and Miss Hooper, the former by Mrs
Smith, NJ. Blanwelt Mr.. Stats, Master
Jules Boncherit, Il, Humphrey Allen and
Miss Lucie Lion. These selections were all
warmly applauded. The concluding address
was made by the Marquis dc Rochambeau, u
staunch friend of America. The marquis
expressed the deep sympathy he felt for
American students and for anything
calculated to increase their happiness and
wcl-being during their years of study in
Paris The formal part of the evening o. ,ted
with MY Country 'Tis of Thee" V. nich was
sung with will by all PIE ,ent, standing
with uncovered heads.