The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-03-28


N ESNSS toms of the people, and new
w sk wonders for us to admire in
E(691 history and art and literature.
49, The day before Lent begins is
a special festival among the
O. young people and we had rea-
son TO con .ratulate ourselves
on being here al this time. Going through
the gardens OF the Luxembourg Palace, we
soon reached the Boulevard ST. Michel, and
Joined the thousands OF people who were bent
on the same mission rs ourselves, that OF enjoy
ing the Mardi Gras Everyone was armed with
bag OF confetti" tiny disks of paper, of
every shade and color The first thing we
noticed was the mild and rlacd expression on
the faces OF the men. They had conc here
expecting 10 be peited with confetti" and
this accounted for their martyred looks. Small
brooms, made OF strips Of colored tissue paper.
were 6Ourished everywhere often as not right
in ones very face: sometimes the assailant was
polite enough to go farther. and brush from
your coat the acCumulatlOns OF paper scraps.
A few OF the girls were glorious in festoohs OF
paper ribbon, twined around and around till
you wondered how they ever could get un-
twisted.
This same paper ribbon, of many hues was
hung in garlands over the trees, giving them
the gay appearsnce of Christmas trees. The
ribbon comes on a sort of spool; ii You catch
hold of the end of il you can throw it quite
distance and ii will be sure 10 catch on some
object around which il can Irvine itself A
few fancy costumes appeared at intervals, gen.
orally groteseue, though few little children
were most picturesquely attired.
The street down which we went, the Boule-
ward ST. Michel, is the avenue par excellence
of the Latin quarter; here the students Of
Paris assemble in thousands, as the principal
colleges are in this vicinity.
First, we provided ourselves with the paper
brooms. They were like the fly. brushes we
see in country stores at home, the only differ
ence being in the length of the handles. Those
we used had very short ones. A broom did
not last very long, as anyone, man, woman, or
child, had the right to try to snatch it away.
There were no great struggles over them; if
you let yours slip from your hands al the first
trial. you were not molested a second time by
the same person. And tben-did i tell your
il is a great compliment for anyone to pay
you so much attention. As for the confetti, if
you received handful right in the face, and
did not turn and thank the sender, you were
considered rude and unapprecatiye ] have
always had much respect and kindly feeling to-
ward the Paris policemen, as on many oCcS-
siOns they have set rs right in our wander
ings over the great Capital. Now was my
chance to show them my gratitude. Full IN
the face of these guardians Of the peace would
j shower my confetti, with no fear Of retslia-
tion from them, as they were there to main
tain order, and not to join in the fun. Instead
OF q scowl or rough word for trespsssing
their dignity, q respectful raising of the cap.
compliment expressed in a low tone and a
smile of appreciation. These French people,
from the highest class to the lowest know how
TO turn everything into graceful cOmpli-
ment. Anything sarcastic, or what in slang
phrase we call "guying," is entirely foreign
TO their understanding. OF course, / am not
referring to confetti. the throwing OF them is all
quite playful, and is always taken in good part;
but on other occasions they show the same
courtesy ] have seen Americans poking fun "
at the French, and either they would have to
80 to the awkward trouble OF explaining their
bumor or else the French would take the Joke
IN literal sense, aud turn the slur into CON-
pliment.
Keeping down the Boulevard we crossed the
bridge and turned into the Boulevard Sebasta-
pol, and At this corner our party was recognized
IS American, and then there was salute on
all sides ii must have been complimentary
because Americans in Paris stand very high in
point of honor, especially about paying their
debts. When America America" was
echoed around u.s. we responded by singing out
George Washington"
We were not surprised TO find ourselves with
q noisy crowd, because we had been thoroughly
warned before we started that we would be in
mixed company. There was not the slightest
disorder more than laughter and singing aud
in every direction much fun and froiic. 1t was
sll perfectly harmless, each one seeming bent
on having good time himself aud helping his
neighbor 10 do the same ] would not have
missed it for worlds We enjoyed it SO much
that ii was after midnight before we returned
home.
There was almost no music on the streets /
think we met two men playing comets. but
that was all. The usual poanut-stands we
would find az every corner during procession
at home were quite absent here-one woman
L. dr.
The people had not time TO eat How could
they, when they were talking, laughing blow
ing horns and making as much noise as they
couid2 Once in a while a shrill scream told
the rest OF the throng that some girl had be-
slowed too much attention or confetti on one
particular man, and taking il as a challenge
he had tired 70 kiss her, we were careful
after that not to single out anyone especially.
Sometimes 80 passing q street crossing we
would End il entirely blocked up by a line of
students who would keen the crowd back for a
while, or else by barrier Of carriages which
bad been held Up by the students When the
coachmen Lad made bow and thanked the
students Tor the trouble they had taken 10 stop
them, then they were allowed to drive on.
These same students in Paris form a mighty
band Of thousands Of young men. vino arc the
terror Of the police aud all law. abid ing cit liens
i is easy 10 understand why there are so many
sfUdying the professions when we reject that
TIC hnOle i've years course IN law medicine
is entirely free Of charge, excepting for the
diploma and few minor expenses. The Cell
loge OF France has the same laws and regua-
tions all over the country, and receiving a d.
Dloma IN tie south Of France, from tins same
college, entities graduate TO the same privi-
leges az receiving the diploma in Paris The
professors are paid by the Government and
are sent from city TO city, receiving orders from
the Government in the same way as our Army
~ Naval officers are ordered from one post to
BlOtber.
Another privilege enjoyed by the students is
that 10 all theaters and concerts they are ad-
mitted half price Each man carries his card
Of the Students Association" and as his
photograph is in one corner Of this card there
is no fear that any but the right man will re-
ceive the reduction.
These are but few of the inducements held
out 70 the young men Of France TO study pro-
fesslon.
When in America we read Of Students
riot in Paris" we can understand that when
such an army Of young people start out TO have
q fr0iic they always succeed, and generally put
the police to flight.
The day after Mardi Gras we went TO church
% begin the season Of Lent. ] am sure that
most Of the young people praying devoutly
had been the gayest in the throng Of the light
before.
There was a slight fall of snow on the morn
ing OF Ash Wednesday, and heard bright
American girl ask If the snow was the son fetti
Of the angels"
HENRIETTA DU HAMEL.
Beiitting His Rank.