The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-04-11

published and distributed: Argon, a
new constituent of the atmosphere, by
Lerd Rayleigh ana Professor Ramsay;
atmospheric Actinometry. by Professor
Duclaux; The Atmosphere in Relation
to Human Life and Health, by Fl. de
Varigny. The first essay just received
the great Hodgkins prize of $4,000.
All the authors are Europeans.
Novel readers whose recollections
travel back twenty years or more will
vividly recall the warm reception which
1.-THE Circuit Rider of Edward Eggles-
ton received when it first came from
the press. 1t had a host Of admirers
then and still finds readers. However,
its authors first success as a novelist
was purely accidental. Giving up the
life of a Western circuit rider, he set
tied in New York and became the edi-
tor Of Hearth and Home" A regular
contributor having failed on one occa-
sion to forward manuscript, a certain
amount of space was left to be filled
With original fiction. At the last mo-
ment the editor himself filled the breach
with story based upon his experiences
as wandering Methodist preacher in
the West. A week or two later he was
surprised to find that it had struck a
popular chord and that his readers were
anxious for more. The Circuit Rider. -
The HoOsier SchooImaster," and other
tales were his response to this demand
Bret Harte first achieved success as a
writer of fiction in much the same way
as did Eggleston. lie was the editor Of
the Overland Monthly" when it was
founded, and none of his contributors
sending in a story dealing with pioneer
life in California, he wrote one himself
This story was THE Luck of Roaring
Camp" and the storm Of abuse with
which it was received on the Pacific
Coast was fully compensated for by
the prompt requests for similar contri-
buttons which the author received from
Eastern editors.
New York Times: When spending a
winter Of study in the French art
schools, a comfortable abiding place
forms a larger factor for successful
work than one is at first inclined to
suppose. The true bohemian spirit in
spires many students, and it is not un-
til g long course of hastily consumed
meals or insufficient fare has reduced
one for a good for-nothfng" physical
state, that one descends to practicali-
ties.
Here is a leaf from the experience
diary Of a party of young ladies who
have passed the winter most comfort
ably and, so far as finances are con-
cerned, most Successful in Paris, which
may be useful to others with like pro-
jects
First. as to "appartements." Perhaps
nowhere in the world is the bird of
passage more comfortably cared for
than in this gay metropolis. If one
has money to spare. it can, indeed. be
most freely spent here, but even short
purses provide enough for ease in the
less expensive quarters The true
Quarter Latin is much smaller in ex-
tent than is generally supposed but
the name has gained a wider applica-
ton anu is bestowed on the large dis
trict about the Sorbonne. and stretch
ing along the BOulevards St Michael
St. German, and Mont Parnasse The
number Of students Of all sorts is i'm
mense, and no nation is without it's
representatives. English and Ameri-
cans abound, and one hears ones moth
er tongue almost more often along the
streets than the idiom of the country.
Apartments there are everywhere
to rent; scarcely a house without it's
little afIiche. Petit appartement a
louer." "Grands apartments louer,"
BEL appartement fraichement de-
core "Orne de glaces." greet the eye
at every turn. In choosing ones zap
parchment" it is well to be willing to
a -+a;,
The upper floors are lighter. more airy,
and consequently more healthful than
the reg de chaussee." or "entresol, "
as the first two stories are called. Thus,
though living EAU premier" one may
have several flights to ascend ere
reaching ones domicile
Most compact and convenient are
many of these little flats. One which
I have specially in mind. was delight
fully comfortable, even in the bitter
cold Of the past winter 4 good broad
passageway upon entering prevented
any feeling of STIFFNESS. and into this
opened the doors Of the various rooms.
a salon, with rich Pompeiian walls a
pretty decorative frieze, and the omni-
present mirror over the chimney. looked
almost habitabie before the simple. fur
stalled made 1t very homelke.
a small dining-room. or sale a
manger. with a convenient pantry and
heater. adjoined 1t. Across the hall
were two chambers, one with an i'm
naense closet, which served as a dress
ing-room, the other smaller. but pref
tily finished and containing also a mir
ror. Shut off from these rooms, but on
the same floor. was a little kitchen.
with one of the most tractabe of
ranges and other conveniences. The
drainage was very good.
For this the charge was s. francs a
month (about SD. and though taken
for the year. by giving notice In time,
Il could be practically secured for nine
months a Government tax of 60 francs
for the whole time was added and on
entering and at Christmas-time a pres
ent to the concierge was given. making
a very moderate sum each for the lit
tie party who occupied 1t.
Having secured the "appartement." the
next thing was to furnish it. This can
be done by renting the things. but this
party having weakness for clean bu-
reaus and beds. purchased inexpensive
articles and had peace of mind in con-
sequence. For the dining room a large
second hand table at u francs was OBJ
tanned. and six chairs. which the seller
agreed to buy back at the end of the
time at a reduction. Simple, inexpen-
sive china, supplemented by few
rarer pieces, picked up as bargains, fill