New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-08-07
AN ENGLISHMAN IN PARIS.
INTERESTING NOTES OF A BUSY LIFETIME

uOnSO In two volumes. VOL !, Reign OF LOUIS
Philippe. Vol. >. The Empire limo, PIP.
33o-35o D. Appleton Is Co.
Thes. volumes, published anonymously, contain
the "reminiscences of an Enelishman resident In
Paris from the time of Louis Philippe 10 the down.
fall Of the Commune. The author is man
of sufficient distinction TO know every body and 10
live in the best society lie occupied very I'M
usual position for foreigner, and especially for
an Englishman, in France, for it is quite clear
that he was generally trusted by public men,
diplomatists, ministers and every crowned head.
lie went everywhere. everything, was fire.
quently admitted behind the scenes and has an as
tonishiDg number Of piquant, revelatory, llustra-
tive and quite new anecdotes OF highly interest
ing kind. lie was on familiar terms with all the
great artists and authors of his time, also with
the government officials, cOurticrs. men Of the law,
etc. At home, in the Clubs and the salons, il is
evident tlat he always heard the freshest gossip.
Bat he was not content with secondhand news
and his acquaintance was so extensive that he
could always so TO headquarters for exact inior-
nation. caution however must be given in re-
gard TO his statements. lie says frankly that he
never took notes or kept a diary, and that he has
had to trust TO his memory for everything in writ
ing these volumes No doubt his memory Is sur
prisingly tenacious, but the events of so full lie
extending over two reigns must ovcrtaN the
strongest mnemonic faculty, and when attempts
are made by sheer recollection to produce CONVEX
sations and remarks there must always be room
for some doubt as 10 the success OF the erdcaNor
The Englishman in Paris, however is really
admirable "racontcur.' and his stories are gem
orally most artistically finished. Perhaps he doth
protest too much. for he is perpctualy Offering
assurance Of the authenticity of his anecdotes,
though it is obvious that in the circumstances no
guarantees can he given. II must also be said
that he is much addicted to long digressions.
Mention of this that celebrity whom he has
known tempts him off 10 a fresh line of pleasant
"reminiscences aud sometimes he fails 10 return TO
the original subject This habit, moreover, tends
to confuse the chronology of the notes but this is
of minor consequence inasnuch nothing like
methodical arrangement enters into the composition
of the work. it must not be thought that it is
O mere collection of gossip. On the contrary, the
author writes often both seriously and scnsiby on
many topics and, though announcing that he has
forsworn political discussion. he cannot keep 70
the rule he has set himself, but writes most
shrewdly and Interestingly upon the ostcnsihly
taboocd subject
That he is an unusually well-informci man is
evident throughout, and also that he is man
who has always been very near the best sources
Of information. Some extracts from his book Will
afford the best means of Judging it's quality ard
style. His first volume opens with some account
of the Latin Quarter. in the late thirties. and
special description of amazing lodging house
called LA Childcbcrf" This building was
bought before the Revolution by woman named
Legcndrc. "who bought 1t for aSsignats amount
ing in real value 10 about one pound sterling"
and who had never spent cent upon it for repairs
cave once or twice when some bold tenant forced
L., a. NJ ,,,;,,
habitable, the roof being in such state Of
dilapidation, hut mpecunious students wouli
take these and never pay rent. Once,
however a young man took one of these
ruinous apartments and actually paid the rent.
to evcrybodys amazcmcrt. But waking
night in heavy rainstorn to find himself
flooded he sent for the concierge aud demanded
immediate repairs He was told that Nine.
Lcgendre never made repairs. His response was
70 make hole in the floor of his room, and
tuu. nire watercarricrs 70 empty their barrels
down il. OF course the whole house was quickly
inundated, and for once the parslmonious land
lady was compelled to mend the roo. Of La
Chidebert.'
Here many Of the future great artists of France
were won't 10 congregatc and hold festivities 30
uproa nous that the neighbors were scandalized,
besides being deprived OF TIER sleep. Here the
suthor made the acquaintance of Of
geniuses in embryo. In the Latin Quarter, in
spite of its Bohemianism, there was plenty Of
hard work DONE though it WAS certainly done
under no ordinary difficulties The authors
Bohemia was that of Muerger and has long since
vanished; but not the quaint interest which
ATTACHES to that fantastic period Incidentally
the Engishman In Paris drops into delightful
dissertation on restaurants an extract from which
will shotu his "fThe off
DE- Paris in those days was probably not only the
best in Paris, but the best in Europe Compared
TO the 'Freres Provenceaux,' Velour and Very,
the Cafe de Paris young; it was only opened
on July Is, 1922, in the vast suite of apartments
ct the corner of the Rue Tailbout and Boulevard
es ltaliens, formerly occupied by Prince DemidoT,
those grandson was prominent figure in the
ociety OF the Second Empire, and whom | knew
personally. The grandfather died before | was
born, at any rate when was very young; but his
descendant often told me about him and his two
,ns, Paul and Anatoe, both of whom, in addition
his vast wealth, inherited a good many Of his
( ,centIiciiies. Tho old man, like so many
RUSSIAN grand seisneurs; was never so happy as
when he could turn his back upon his own
country. lie inha bied Paris and Florence in turns
In the latter place he kept in his pay a company
Of French actors, who were lodged in a magnif-
cent mansion near to his own, and who enacted
comedies, vaudevilles and comic operas. The
London play-goer may remember piece in which
the celebrated. Ravel made great sensation; it
was entitled Les Folies Dramatiques, and was
founded upon the mania OF the old man. For he
was old before his time, and rackcd with govt,
scarce able 70 set his feet to the ground lie had
to be wheeled in chair to his entertainments
and theatre and often fell in dead faint in the
middle Of the performance or during the dinner.
1t made no difference TO his guests said his
grandson; they wheeled him out as they had
wheeled him in and the play repast went
as if nothing had happened. In fact it would
seem that the Prince would have been very angry
II they had acted otherwise. for his motto was
that next 10 enioying himself there was nothing