New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-08
SOCIETY IN PARIS.
THE EVOLUTION OF CHRISTMAS-RETRO-
SPECT IN ARIA WEDDING VOYAGE
IN A YACHT.

alteration Of Russia and everything Russian came
70 take its place, has had the result OF render
ing Christmas much more important IN the eyes
Of Parisians than il used to he ten years ago.
Before that time, tho Jour dc Fan. or New
Years Day. was the occasion on which
presents were exchanged tips given and when
,umptuous receptions took place. In Inter years,
however. Christmas ha. 20 to speak, been rising
In value, and yesterday the entire city wore
festive appearance reminding one more OF
London. Ncw-Yorl, or Vienna than Of the French
capital Holly and mi.tletoc were universally
adopted. and Their Majcstics, the trutcd turkeys
ard flaming plum-puddings. filed almost every
home with their puneent and appctizing fumes
Until midnight Christmas eve tie gntterihg
shops on the Boulcvards, the avenues and the
Rue de la Paiy remained open, displaying 10 thc
passcrsbv marvels OF elegance and taste such as
are TO he found only in Paris. The florists
windows wcre especially admired and were sur
rounded during the whole evening by dense
crowds OF people lost in admiration before the
fragrant mountains OF sOftly-tinted blossoms
disposed with exquisite Grt in baskets. )ardih-
ieres or pricccss china vases. II was like
glimpse of fairyland, these briantly-lighted
arbors Of spring. and it difficult to tear
ones self away from pleasing spectacle In order
TO face once moro the searching blasts of the
thoroughfarcs I must add that with true fin de
steele taste for everything baroquc the majority
of purchasers selected in preference pink lilac,
green pnks white violcts and purple roses as
being the re plus ultra Of our advanced state OF
civilization. These strange flowers, which 90
here by the name Of creations nouvelies. were
in such demand that the horticuturists VINO
have with much pairs succeeded In producing
them must be now on the HIGH road TO pros
perity. rot to say absolute wealth.
The annual hall given by the officers OF the
Reserve and Territorial forces which took place
u few evenings ago ut the Grand Opera, n
great success. Tho house supcrby decorated
with military trophies, fags, hammers and allie
gorical motifs" and the fcte was concluded by
q monster battle Of flowers, which was carried on
with great spirit until the small hours
The Exposition des Arts Rrtrospoctifs is the
rage OF the moment and the Rue Boissy dan
glais, where il is located. is daily throngcd with
dashing cquipagcs which GARY to No. IS tho
elite of Pa,isian socictr. On tie opening day II
was visited ly r. Il H., the Infanta Eulalic AMI
The Infsn, Don Antonio, the Duke and Duchess
de Hiiar Duke ard Duchess dc Mandas. Countess
de Pourtalcs rullc anl Duchess de MorHy. Prin-
cess YouTcvski. c:c, etc. The galleries arc adj
mirably arranged. and filed with all kinds
OF matches specimens OF byGone arts. Four
pictures ly Boucher deserve special mention for
their perfection and beauty 80 too. DO the
Larcillic.r. Vcrcncsc a~d Dackuyscns. all being
PAINTINGS Of great merit and enormous value
The gothic tapestries. which drarc the walls. and
which date frou the introduction Of the FIRST
tapestry looms into France. ere among the most
intcrcstirc and remarkable things eXhib-
tied. Tlicv form fitting background
al
laid with ivory. pearl AMI silver. which is TO
be seen there The whole scene is gorgeous in
the extreme and like some rcminisccncc Of feudal
times: old oak old silver, old ivory, treasures
due 20 the mastcrlv art Of Bull ard Of Pachcr, OF
Ricsencr end of Angelic. make MP tout ensemble
which reflects great credit on the Orga"izcrs and
which contains liberal education for the eye
of the visitor The dreamy melodies played by
an orchostrl Of Zi,aLs from 10 , o'clock In
the affcrn on greatly enhance the enjoyment OF
those preset and lead additional charm - this
"hrcath OF NE past," which seems TO pervade
the whole atmosphere Of this choice and refined
exposition.
The voting Duke an. Duchess dAycn have
realized tie dream If all lUvcrs-tO spend 4
honeymoon in perfect tctc-a-'cte, without being
disturb ly the unwccouc spectators vii"
generally torment sp oning. newly married couples
by their indisrrcct and iilc curiosity for they
are now on board their yacht Heating about on
the calm blue waters o. the Mediterranean. lhis
Yacht is u lsIgc ana stately craft, and the Duke
caused il - lc completely furnished anew ipr
the occ. gion Nothing can give idea of the
luxurious daiatncss with which his has been
done. The saloon and rooms are OF unusual
dimensions, and are provided with every modern
comfort The sleeping apartment OF the Duchess
IA entirely drapcd. walls, ceiling and all, WIN
heavy old-rosc Turkish silk, or which are en-
broidercd fights Of seahirds in silver, and sprays
of notwithstanding flowers in gold and crystal
Tho saloon is Decorated similarly, but mere inc
drapcres are Of light sca-green, and are covered
with clusters OF hand-paintcd aquatic MOVERS
such as gadi0lus, rises lilies ana lea'hery rccus
q1,ese PAINTINGS are the work Of an artist OF
great talent, and produce marvellous ehecV on
the faint. dull background. The corners are
6Ilcd ly groups of Towering plants, and
.ha divans and armchaTs are covered
with male green velvet The dining-room Is
an aecls and so is the Dukes study, furnished III
carved pear wood and unique fIcnlSh tapes
tries Surely it would h difficult to lmasf''
8, more delightful retreat for two young ana
handsome people very much i'll love with c'c'
. otbe, and who intend TO wander about Iof
tow weeks at tlcir own sweet VIII uhucr w,
Southern skies, away from oil tho noise aho
turmoil Of this world
II Wow of oil the skeletons which are bcina
,,roorthed IN France just now, and OF all Tue
wave, Of mud which have been stirred up by the
psnsma scandal It is quite refreshing to lot one
thoughts rest on the personality of NJ Ribof. the
new Prime Minister, and of his American VINE
xho are amona the few who have remained un
.,Ilied N Ribot is a man of imposing stature
tall with long gray beard, and possessing
striking and sclfreiant countcnance. he ha'
the rather rare distinction among French poll
ticians of being above suspicion in money matters
lis wife. though brought up at fontainebeau
bctrays her nationality by her accent and viva
cious manners, which, together with her Drigh