New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-07-29


Assuming that defeat was attributed to the in
Gu'gence with which the soldiers had be IN
treated under the Second Empire the officers
undertook TO restore discipline by harsh meas
Tres and excessive training The men dis-
ciplined and drilled until military service
! intolerable burden. The officers harassed and
worried the soldiers very much as the hackmen
of Paris punish their horses. and the morale Of
the army suffered from this unnecessary COM
preston and strictness These methods have
been abandoned. The French soldier to-day Is
not only we'll fed and we'll clothed. but he has
contenteG instead of a sullen face Drilling is
managed more sens!blv and barrack-life Is more
comfortable than IT was A French battalion
longer shows signs Of rriability and insubor-
dinaton. Every in the file is contented
with his lot. and seems to take pride in his regi-
nent and to have heart for his work.
The French Army and the Presidential office
are the two republican institutions which COM
mand the respect OF Paris. Premiers. ministries
| and legislators may be lightly esteemed. but the
army Is believed to be in a much higher state.
| Of efficiency than In the time Of Napoleon III.
when Imperial legions were marshalled on the
| field Of Iongchamps by the vainglorious Man OF
! Destiny: and the President. whether compro-
mise candidate or popular leader represents
the dignity and power of the nation. The re-
| view Of the troops by the President at Long
champs in the presence of military attaches OF the
European Governments dignihes the National
holiday and is an Impressive ceremonial as well
splendid spectacle.
II it excited less interest this year than in the
past among the masses. IT was not through any
! decline in Chauvin.sm which has been stimu-
lated by the general enthusiasm over the Rus
sian alliance. With free performances at all the
! theatres. there were potent CONGRATULATIONS
during the afternoon and the evenings illumin-
ations anticipated with eagerness and de-
light by a populace accustomed to the fascina-
lions of night life In the capital. Long before
the twilight faded the patriotic carnival opened,
and the dense throngs in the streets settled down
to the enjoyment Of the merrest and most brill
| liant night Of the year
! THE LAMENTATIONS OF PARIS.
The Nominations and decorations were said To
be less elaborate than any previous national
| fate. and TO be confined mainly 70 public build
ings and places of amusement. Having no basis
of comparieo in personal experience. repeat the
| phrase, with the necessary comment that those
| who frequently witness events Of this Kind are
apt to underrate them through their own famil-
| iarity with them. The effect OF the uminations
was dazzlingly brilliant to eyes unaccustomed TO
the splendors Of a ftte night In Paris The Iroca-
| Louvre the Chamber Of Deputies, the Treasury
Building. the Palace OF Justice the old tower Of
ST. jacques the Palais Royal. the Opera House
the InValidcs. and many other great structures
were transformed into temples and palaces o'
| fairyand. The means employed were the SIM
plest ana consequently the most artistic. very
little bunting was used. and the main effects were
| produced by thousands Of gas Jets and lanterns
| following the lines Of facades and roofs. Towers
were crowned with circles OF sparknng isn,S;
! arches glittering shapes OF majesty ana
| glory in lines Of god: palaces were respondent
from corniCe 10 pavement In gided lattlces OF
countless gas Jets: the broad plain OF Paris. from
the folds Of the surrounding hills to the furthest
reach OF vista. streakcd with the orange ana gray
| OF fading twilight. was aglow with sp!endor' ana
| high above all these carnival scenes was the
great light in the pinnacle Of the Einel rover
| shining like planet in the nearest heaven
II is probably true that the hous"holders neglect
to illuminate their homes and that many sn"p
keepers no longer consider IL necessary 10 al"in
| their windows and roofs with flags ana coloIed
| lanterns on a national holiday. This is because
the Government officials are expected 10 pioNldc
the spectacular effects. even when times are nara
and municipal administrations are forced 10 prac-
| tse economy. The iiluminatons may nave noeh
less general than IN past years, and some oi the
| usual effects may have been lacking IN the race
| de la Concorde; but the holiday throngs couid
| never have been larger merrier. The crowds
| were dcnsest IN front Of the Hotel de Vile and on
| the Place de rOptra or wherever RED lanterns
| were festOOned in the trees ana bands were pay :
| ing and the approaches 10 the Pont Neui anu
| other points where fireworks were set OF were
blocked with carriages and swarns o. slght,
| seers. The opening bar OF waltz was the sigma
| for open-air dancing everywhere. In an instant
| the backset OF the swollen current OF prom"nad-
| ers would become a whirlng eddy. me ohiy III,
vitations 70 the dance required were the strains OF
| the band Men seized partners who stood near
| est To them and women found themselves dane
| ing with strangers Hour after hour the reNe'
| continued the crowds surging from one avenue
and street into another. and men, women ana
| children with one consent making long night
| OF IL.
| THE REVEI.S IN THE sTiEErs
The widest scenes were In the streets where
| the concert rooms and dancing halls advertised
their attractions with flaming wheels ana IAN
| tas,ic nluminatons. and where the merry-s"-
rounds and steam whrlig'es were In rapid nish'
with their screaming and excited riders There
were miles Of this Midway Plaisance. with mobs
| OF shouting jewellers and dancing hgures such as
| were never seen IN the Chicago Worlds faf'
even on the most crowded nights. In an open