Morning journal and courier., 1892-12-12

Tor pure intercourse, under wholesome re-
strsints, with girls of their own nationsli-
ty, and sometimes of their own neighbor-
hood, mean more than words can express.
In regard to young men, 1t is questiona-
BILE If some do not come to Paris who
might better be kept much nearer to ma
ternal spron strings. Indulgent friends
have given them an excessive idea of their
own talent, and they come here-s few do
to find before long that at best they
cannot rise above the mediocre. This is
discouraging and occasionally even ruin
GUS. Besides Paris is dreadful place for
q young man of small viii power and plis-
BILE habits. 1t can surely do no harm to
warn those interested in the moral risks
lying in the pathway or the Paris art stu
dent. We more than suspect that at pres
ent ambitious parents do not always give
sufficient consideration to these things.
S.ill it Is only the few who make ship
wreck on this turbulent sea- The boys as
a rule are well behaved. Most of them
have neither the time nor the money for
great excesses, and many are so well
poised, both morally and Intellectually,
that the indictments to fast life are no
more felt in this city of pleasure than in
the quiet life they might be living at home.
Many of these gifted American boys we
have seen, and csndor compels the admis
sion that they are a noble class, If one
may judge from appearances. Broad,
high foreheads, clean cut lips, and eyes
which beam with intelligence-theses are
their usual characteristics. They have
quite distinguished look as a rule, and
some bear unmistakable marks of genius.
In room full of such young men one
cannot help speculatiug upon their future.
American art is only emerging from its
infancy. Here are the men whose gifts
and accomplishments will help 1t before
long into an honorable manhood. All will
not achieve greatness, but some will, and
thsir names and works will command ma
tional and even international applause.
Some of them, however, ara having hard
times just now. We have heard of those
who are eking out a subsistence upon as
little as twenty cents a day. including 0
bed to sleep in, such as il is These, of
course, are exceptions, but there are many
who get along upon yesrly expenditure
of three or four hundred dollars. This in
Paris means a room under the roof,
probably in the fifth or sixth story, and
the most frugal table, not to speak of
other necessary economies. Rather a
hard life, but borne cheerfuIy by those
who cannot do better; and some of the
girls fare just as poorly as the most i'm
pecunious of the boys.
Upon eight or nine hundred a year the
student will get along very well. The
Chanler scholarships, recently instituted,
are on the nine hundred dollar basic,
and they are hailed by the students as
the beginning of better times for at least
a few of them. Among the girl students
1t is not uncommon for several to live
together and keep house. This is pleas
ant, but somewhat dangerous; for the
girls, it is said, are liable, under such
an arrangement as this, not to eat at
regular times nor in sufficient quantity,
the result being that health gives way.
At recent reception given at the girls
club rooms an address was made by the
American minister, Mr.. Coolidge. To an
outsider it seemed strange to hear him
advising these high-spirited American
damsels upon SO commonplace a matter
as their eating. But when he insisted
upon their not putting themselves off with
less than three meals day, every day, and
all the girls Uttered at the remark, eve
~ one turning to look knowingly at her
neighbor, one could well understand the
need for such advice.
AS to the way in which the boys live, it
may be said generally, allowing for excep
tfons. that they room in an attic and take
their meals at twenty ave cent restaurants.
We make this statement upon the testi mo-
ny or the students themselves. But In re
gard to eating they are better off than
they used to be, because of the good, cheap
fare provided at a restaurant which Is
practically under their own control. This
is attached to the American Art Stu
dents club, an institution founded about
year ago by Mr.. A a. Anderson, q
distinguished American artist resident in
Paris. The location of this club Is right
in the center of the students quarter, at
13l Boulevard Montpsrnssse, and 1t Af-
fords to the young msn similar facilities,
barring the religious element, to those
which the young women enjoy in locsli-
ty few squares away. Here, as at the
other place, there are occasional entertain
ments-s stag party one fortnight and the
next a party in which the ladies share.
Thus, while student life in Paris has it's
dangers and hsrdships, it has also it's
brighter aspects, and 1t will be gratifying
to Americans to bs assured that the city
which has so long held out TO their gifted
sons and daughters 60 many artistic in
dncemenis, is offering now, In connection
with these, a few social and moral safe
guards. h T.