The evening times., 1898-05-17
Some French Cu.tom..

The French people are great philoso-
piers and have evolved simple system
of living that is not easily understood by
other nations. II is there. If at any spot
on the face of the globe, that the quintes-
sence of domestic economy is practiced.
The French say among themselves that
they are only extravagant in one thing
peanuts. These sell in Paris for penny
piece and are considered great luxury.
In fact no elaborate dinner would he COM
plete without small dish of them TO
decorate the table A source of economy
in Paris is pos age stamps and stationery
1t is thought cheaper to send message
by a servant than to write note. In fact
notes are only sent out for the most for
NAL functions when they indeed assume
formidable proportions.
No lady in Paris would ever be allowed
to do her own marketing. for the shop
keepers and domestics have an agreeable
little arrangement by which she would
have to pay the most eNorbitant prices if
she attempted such a thing. The SER
wants do the marketing and the shop
keepers give them commissions. AT the
same time they sell to them cheaper than
to anyone else. Mrs Mckay is known
to have fought this system of commits
SiOlS WHtil sue iiiSt Wcfit " iNt III al IL,
preferring. she said,to pay higher rates
to her servants. But although her efforts
were all for the benefit of the domestics.
they combined with the shopkeepers to
inform her that in Paris one must follow
the customs of the French.
The French are not fond of moving
about and are very cautious. Ii Is Gus
tomary to take a lease of an apartment
for at least fifteen years. An ins'france
policy is obligatory and one muse insure
his neighbor that lives above him As well
as his neighbor that lives below. For in
case of the apartment taking fire these
neighbors might easily have their belong
ings ruined by the fire or the water used
to quench the fire. In their turn, how
ever. the neighbors are obliged to insure
him, so that everyone is protected by a
triple insurance.
Another ruling characters .ic in Paris is
the idea of proprity. In la haute societe.
that of the Faubourg Saint Germaine. il
is thought proper for a debutante to ap-
pear at ball in one of three colors:
white. pink or blue. She is also allowed
to say three little phrases. Oui. Monsieur.
Non, Monsieur! and Oh. Monsieur, The
variety lies in the different intonations of
the voice. During the season last Spring,
a young American girl. with excellent in
productions. had most unfortunately not
acquainted herSaN with this law OF color
in French ballroom. She therefore ap-
peared at aNdance given by La Duchesse
de la Rochefoucault in an exquisite yell
low creation of Worth. This breach of
etiquette was never forgiven and her so
cial career in Paris was at an end.
Saturday is the day of the Jardin
d d'Acclimatation to see the brides of the
poorer classes. Naturally they cannot af-
ford wedding journey. so It is customary
for them ON leaving the church to go out
to the Garden. surrounded by their at
and in all their bridal splendor.
Then with much coaxing and showing
great embarrassment the bride is prevailed
upon to ride upon the elephant. after
which she and the groom quietly leave
the Garden. On some Saturdays one can
see as many as ten or twelve brides all
being sure that they are properly married
by riding on the elephant