New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-16
TOPICS IN PARIS.
GREAT PROTESTANT BANKERS - LESS
OFFICIHI. POLITENESS-THE EN-
PRESS EUGENIES VISIT.

fred Andre, has served 10 call atteh'ioi " '
remarkable position that has been quietly anu
unobtrusively won In nearly every walk OF
French life by the once bitterly prosecuted
Protestants. 1t is doubtful whether King LOUIS
when he repealed the Edict of Nantes and drove
thousands upon thousands of Huguenots ih'o
exile, ever dreamed that day would come when
the outcasts would not only enjoy civil rights
and social status in every way equal to those OF
Catholics, but would even be Permitted 10 ENJOY
commanding influence in politics. in finance, in
art literature. and last, but not least. in society,"
For the Comtesse de Pourtales whose leadership
of the great world here is recognized to such
an exten: that she is universally known as Ia
Comtesse" Just as IL there no other wom-
en- in Paris possessed Of a right 10 that title, Is
O Protestant and has remained so throughout
her long and glorious social reign which began
In the days when her friend the Empress Eu-
genie, who did her best to convert her to Cath
ocism, occupied the Tuileries, and has con-
tinued unimpared ever since.
Another prominent member of society who
processes the same faith is NJ Boissy dan
glas. formerly Envoy Of France to Mexico. and
among his Protestant fellow deputies in the Ma
tional Legislature are NJ de Witt, NJ. Camille
Peletan. and the former Minister Of Commerce,
NJ Lebon. NJ. Floquet, who died within few
days Of NJ. Andre, and who occupied a
prominent position in political life as Cabinet
Minister. Premier and President Of the Chamber
OF Deputies. belonged. like his wife, to the Re-
formed Church. did the late Jules Ferry,
frequently Prime Minister. while the present
Premier, the Minister Of Justice. the Minister
of Foreign Affairs and the Minister of the In
terror. every one Of them Protestants.
Among the other followers of Calvin who have
made their mark in contemporary French his
tory are the ex-Prme Ministers de Freycinet
and Rbot NJ. Andrieux, SO long at the head of
the police of this city; NJ. Barley, former Min
lister Of Marine; MN. lie Roger and Leon Say,
former Presidents Of the Senate; NJ. Loubet,
the actual occupant of that lofty office, which
is second only in dignity that of the President
OF the Republic NJ. Poubelle Project Of the
Seine and consequently chief magistrate Of the
metropolis: the new Governor Of Madagascar
and the Governor-General of Frances posses
Academy one finds nearly dozen of the Forty
Immortals who are either Cavinists or Lu-
therans. Pierre Lott, Victor Cherbuliez and
Lt1ovic Halevy being, perhaps the best known
of the number
CALVINISTS IN FINANCE.
But it is especially in the financial world that
Il
they constitute the only rival worthy of serious
consideration on the part of the Jewish "Haute
Finance" Thus, when the last Russian loan
was issued in Paris two or three years ago
and the Rothschilds and others OF their CO.
religionists declined to have anything to do
with the affair in consequence of the persecu-
lions to which the Jews We're being subjected
In the dominions Of the Gar the Protestant
bankers here, comprising the Vernes the NAL
let's the Andres. the Hottinguers, the Fillet-
Willes. as also the Foulds, and the Heines both
OF which latter families are converted to
Calvinism. took the loan up. and in spite of all
Hebrew opposition carried it through to Sue
cessful issue
Pre-eminent among all these princes Of fnance
was NJ. Alfred Andre who has lust died and
Notwithstanding his austerty and the severity
of his ways Of life. which antagonized many. he
has left behind him a record as the most public
spirited citizen and philanthropist of his day.
lie was the principal support OF the Young
Mems Christian Association. and innumerable
charitable institutions owe their origin and
their maintenance to his generosity. Curiously
enough. the Protestant element is arrayed on
the side of those who are anxious for the re-
tention Of the Concordat. For the latter not
alone governs the relations between the French
Government and the Papacy in connection with
the control Of the Catholic Church in this coun-
try. but likewise provides large annual sub
vention, amounting to several millions of francs
for the stipends of the Protestant clergy Were
the Concordat to be annulled there is every
prospect Of Its being If the present admins
tration (Which includes an unfrocked able in
its ranks Minister Of Public Worship re-
mains in power, not merely the Catholic Church
would lose its ANNUAL grant of 100000. but
the Protestant Church would likewise be
mulcted. a prospect which 1t by no means
relishes
CONSERVATION reigns in clubland here owing
to the action Of the Government in enforcing
the new tax Of two and a half francs on
each pack OF cards. This has the effect Of
rendering a game Of baccarat, for instance
where large number of packs Of cards are
used during the course of a game exceedingly
costly. and the Jockey. the Cercle de la Rue
Royale and other leading clubs where the play
is high are seriously considering the advisa-
bilty OF abandoning the custom, consecrated
by tradition. of using new packs for each
"taille." In that event 1t is difficult to where
the financial benefit to the Government will
come in, since ii would involve decrease in
the sale of cards to the extent of almost 80
per cent this, too. in spite Of the watchfu care
exercised by the Government with regard to the
sale OF already used and cleaned cards. Two
years ago the revenue officers discovered some
where III HelSHDOTHOOu OF bordeaux a fac-
tory which made a speciality of cleaning and
furnishing up old playing cards, which were
then sold. of course. at a greatly reduced price
by the small cafes and liquor shops In the
suburbs here to the customers. The owners Of
the factory in question were not only fined, Blu.
also imprisoned on the charge of defraudng
the State, the punishment inflicted being made
especially severe. with the object Of discourage
ing any other people who might endeavor 10
turn dishones; penny by embarking in that
particular branch of industry.
T>->-Oy- ALTON IN tr,rIOr-r-r,,r,
Every foreigner who has lived for any time in
France will rejoice to learn that the present Gov
eminent have determined to simplify the stted
and cumbersome modes Of closing letter which
have prevailed until now not only in official cor
rcspondence. but also in private intercourse. Thus
II has been customary hitherto to terminate ones
epistolary communications by an almost abject