New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-06-12
TORTONrS"
THE FAMOUS PARIS RESTAURANT TO BE
SOLD

Paris. June l.
After Brebant Toftonis. Tie former, famous
old resaurantkeepcr is scarcely still in his grave
when the latter, one OF the most famous ree'au-
rants comes under the hammer of the auctoneer'
June 90 is the date announced for the sale, ana
great is the speculation as 10 who will get 1t ana
what he will do with it. The general idea Is
that it will be turned into common brasSerc.
or beer-shop. In any event, it is not likely 70
retain the name under which it has hourshed LOT
three generations, so that "TOrtoni's' Will soon
become thing Of the past.
Only q few years ago, however it was the
centre of Paris. An artist. journalist, PROBES
sional man Of any kind in seeking to rent nat
or other apartments first of all inquired, How
far is it from Tortoni's ?" It's dcsirablty de-
creased as the distance from Tortonis increased.
Such was the case even fifteen twenty years
ago. in the carly days Of the Republic. But OF
late Paris has moved westward, leaving Tortonis
behind and the number of beer saloons and other
drinking places. apd gambling clubs has increased,
10 the ruin of the cafe restaurants OF the OLD
type.
Torton,'s. as the world knows. is al tie corner
of the boulevard des Italiens and the Rue Tatbout
twas opened at tho commencement OF tins century
by an Italian confectioner and caterer named
venom. Cnucr DIS manaceic'l, II vi" ho' Pi"'PS''
ard he presently sold In TO-. trihe to fellow
Ncapolitan named ToIton; The latter quickly
made il the favorite rendezvous for all the
fashionable young men Of the First Empire Even
Bonapart himself was now and then among its
habitues Its billiard parlor was the best in
Europe, and matches were played between the
most famous experts. II is told that Talcyrand
was an enthusiast over this game. and never failed
TO be at Tortonis when any good playing was - he
seem On one occasion Talleyrand brought thithci
notable player named Spolar, and introduced him
70 one of his friends, Government officer, who
boosted OF being the champion player of France.
match was quickly arranged between them,
and Spoar won easily Whereupon Talleyrand
gathered mp all the stakes and put every son into
his own pocket.
When Tortoni died, the house passed into other
hands, buo retained the name under which It had
| achieved It's great popularity. Some years ago
| il was purchased by VI Perclpron, who did his
| Best to check the drca1ence which ALREADY
| setting in Many potable folk still went thithcr
| Henri Rochefort was an almost nightly visitor
until he left France. NJ Aurcen Scholl and the
Prince de Dion also frequcned il, and it was there
| that they had the quarrel which led to their
| famous duel Indeed the leading personages in
| literature. art and finance, even down 10 the
present day, have seemed 10 feel it duty "a
visit Tortonis perhaps for the sake Of identifying
| themselves with tie place and its glorious past
But few days ago NJ Perchcron died, and his
son. who inherited his estate, has decided TO dis
| pose Of the restaurant, which, despite lis dis
| tinguished patronage, is no longer profitable.