New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-15
PARIS TOPICS.
FUN AND rANCIES OF THE NEW YEAR
Paris, January :

iantly than might have been expected when one
takes into consideration not only the bitterly cold
weather which has suddenly put In an IN
welcome appearance. but also the distressing
crisis brought about by the Panama revelations
One should have thought that Parsians would
hardly be in a mood % take part In the manlioid
measures of the season with their usual ertrain,
but French temperaments have Il buoyGncy which
nothing seems able TO crush: and regardless OF
anything but the amusemcnts of the hour. tine
CAV city appeared 10 its very best advantage
both on New Years Eve and New Years Day. In
the night resorts that cluster near the Madeleine.
AZ well as in those Of dncler aspect round the
Place Dc Ia Republique vast heaps OF oysters
Icrayfsh, black pudding, uuhed turkey, cola
fowl Frankfort sausages and sauerkraut were
generously disposed of between / O'Clock ana
3 a. IN. German beer flowed in unlimited guam
titles in the eastern tavcrns. while In tllose oil
the more fashionable West End ample justice
was done to champagne and chablis, cold pheasant
and roast quail and in spite of the icy wind that
swept the streets joyous bands OF serehaoers III
vaded the Boucvards.
One of the hes. attempts at keeping zip Watch
Night, Customs was made by the danes de la
halle All the porty markctwomcn recently
clubbcd together for the purpose OF organizing
q fete for the poor. Under ore of the paNiliohS
of the central markets there was raised Si2an'lc
Christmas tree, from the branches OF when "ere
suspended not Orly toys for children nut SUD-
etantial pieces of meat, fresh and salt; game ana
bottles of wine. Rarely have the poor OF faris
been convoked TO such feast, at when inc
creature comforts were not only numerous and
good but absolutely free of charge Hound the
markets. too nocturnal banquets were impro-
yised and hot sausages, fried potatoes anu eggs
and bacon simmered and spluttered in the icy
nv n general dancing entertainment, and right
nerrily did the last night of the old year pass
away.
The gamelots, or hawkers who sell toys in the
streets did brisk trade and II must he
acknowledged that the ingenuity of some OF these
ALTERING baubes is remarkable. Last year the
fayorite toy of this kind was cardboard figure
representing the President of the Republic IN the
act of making of lis best Official bows ms
year the hawkers were selling curously con-
trivcd trihe known az the Question du Panama
This consists Of head covered by raha"a
hat. on card A string being pulled. the hat
is replaced by convicts cap marked with
letters and figures. Among the special toys of
This nouvel-an are marvellous and almost life
like clowns one figure clad in yellow and black
which is called the dormcur," and in wakeful
moments thrums a guitar. Then there are dolls
which assume pigs faces before the cameras OF
photographers who endcavor TO fix their features
peacocks that spread out their tails and strut
about when wound up TO the proper pitch; dogs
and sheep that walk and utter sounds in an aoso-
lutely natural manner. and " frog trainer WIN
the most wonderful eyes ever seen in puppet
Very characteristic is the manner In which WHY
French toy makers contiive TO produce wares that
are full of actuality, and much amusement was
caused by the dusky rubber doll meant to repre-
If nah
when held up before light, throws a shadow
which exactly looks like IA Prussian lhan officer
Il is called THE Dahomean Question, and what
ia concealed behind it," Another extremely funny
TOW is a little SPITE deg confronted by a police
man. who carefully inspects the fastenings of the
woody little fellows muZzle The officer then
turns his back and prepares to walk off, when the
epitz cooly removes his muzzle and hangs IL 10
his arch-enemy's cOat-tails This IS OF course an
innocent sarcasm addressed ~ NJ. Loze, the Chief
of Police, who has so strictly enforced the law
about muzzling dogs.
The great Magasin du Bon-Marche attracted
troops Of deli GIFTED children anxious to see the
remarkable and original display which allied the
entire row of show-windows the Rue de Sevres,
and which represented a dolls battle of flowers.
the porgeonsly arrayed "poupecs" rolling along IN
superb charlotte bedecked with roses. lilac cycia-
MEMS mimosa and violets. The effect was en-
tremely pretty, and many child went home with
an impression of having peeped into Fairyiand
The death of Talazac, the celebrated singer,
which took place few days ago at Ch1tou, Is
an irreparable loss to French art for his Voice
was a perfectly beautiful one, pure as lark's
and deep as the notes of organ. When he
first appeared at the Opera ComiGuc in 1878, his
debut created a great sensation. his singing held
muftitudes enthralled every night. and the en-
fire city went into ecstasies about this new and
brilliant star who had arisen on the horizon lie
soon became the spot child Of the grand-mon'ie
During the last two years, however, the great
singer has been mute 10 the world, for he was
stricken down suddenly in the midst OF all his
triumphs with the paralysis which has now car
ried him of at the age Of thirty-nine
Unlike the famous nightingale in Hans Anler-
sen's story. he was not forgotten and many of his
sormcr admirers used to come and sit with him
IN his home at Chatou, which, although simple
and unostentatous, contained many precious
treasures Of art the gifts Of kings and princes who
ouce delighted in hearing his matchlcss voice
He was one Of the creators Of VI. Sanf-Narnss
aSamson ct DELLA which first produced IN
Paris at the Eden Iyrique. bat his best roles were
in ".Ican de Nivellc," LalSmc,' Romeo "t
.Jnlicttc,r and ale Roi dYs." II is in this opera
that he made his last appearance, and many stlli
remember the frantic cheers of the crowd as ne
stepped upon the stage. Roses and violets We're
thrown at his feet, and he felt himself ut the
height of fame and influence then. Iaazac was
married to Mile. Fauvee, who was also line
singer and frst-prize winner at the ConServa-
,oire. He leaves three beautiful children, ana
the poor young widow is absolutely broken
hearted.
The exhibition OF NJ Jan van Becrs's works at
the Durand- Rrcl galleries is successful ana hNcy
to be Of great advantage 10 the popular painter,
for IL shows that his powers are not only restricted
4. a.. oxou;sitev finished genre pictures for which