The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1895-03-20
on THE GREAT RIVIERA
Democracy of Distinguished People
at a Famous Resort.
LETTER FROM BALLARD SMITH.
Politicians From All Countries, Serene
Highnesses From Every Monarchy
in the World and Great Artists
Are Met There Every Day.
An Ex-Empress There.

Ballard Smith writes to the New
York World from Beaplieu: This mar.
POW little strip of Frnnce-40 miles or
80 from Cannes ito Mentone and not
above four or five miles wide anywhero
between the blue sea and the practically
ampassable mountain chain beyond
might be called during any winter zen.
son the Republic of the Great From All
LANDS.
Tho democratic fashion Of it is lit.
pie startling to the newcomer. You 1nny
sit at the Eext table in restaurant TO
AN ex.president of the republic. You
may como suddenly in public pathway
npon an emperor, and empress walking
arm in arm together; you sit in tho next
chair in hotel meeting room to tho
greatex- premier Of England Politicians
IRON oil countries, serene highnesses
from every monarchy in the world,
great nrtists--their faces become as ia
nnifiar, to you as those OF tho convention
al people whom most OF Us have the for
tune only to- be brought in daily contact
with
j, 1t has happened to me, very plain
American Citizen, to havo had the three
Experiences mentioned above within the
space of % hours, together with some
Others as, interesting, and tho fortune OF
at all. tlrereader being tho judge of what
uneasnre of fortune it is may come to
any other plain citizen of any land who
forms part of this little republic with
in n republic.
In former letter described how alb
solntely Democratic is the daily walk
hero of Casimir- Perier, until only tho
sother day president OF France.
In therotunda of the Hotel Cape Mar.
Pm We are to SEQ greater mon than
sny hereditary king or emperor or 20
,tentato of today, of yesterday, of the
century. Luncheon is just over when
MIR. and Mrs. Gladstone come down
from their rooms and take seats among
the other guests before the fire, await
ing their carriage. The venerable states
man looks much older and moro worn
than when l saw him in London MS he
started for tho Riviera.
The arduous journey III the bitter cold
weather which met him in Franco and
ITS extraordinary continuance hero in
tho Riviera have evidently been most
prejudicial to him. Ho walked very
feebly to his carriage, escorted on tho
one side by his faithful wife and on tho
other by tho hardly less faithful Mr..
George Armlstead--many times mil
lionaire, who seems to have no object
in life beyond this friendship and almost
constant northumberland now for tho
first time il his adult,life looks all his
age.
! had come to the hotel hoping that
MR. Gladstone might wish to say some
thing more to the American public on
the prospects Of home rule in Ireland,
but Dir. .Armistead pleads that tho
statesman is in too feeble condition to
talk upon politics, and that hisrestora-
ition to health demands absolute rest
from all political concerns for the pres.
ent.
!, The ex1Empress Eugenie is another
guest at the hotel, except that she oc-
cupies cottage in tho grounds, and she,
too, takes ther daily walk abroad with
% slngleattendant, or moro often alone.
she also seems verysfeehlo and looks
very old, supporting herself with q
strong crutoh stick. She has lost every
trace Of her former beauty and graceful
earriage.
..sL GMn OE AM OIn TLEhrEo