The herald., 1898-11-20

harmless idea to have piqueur, a sort of
master of the horse, who had to keep his
stable under supervision, and who on state
occasions had to precede on horseback the
carriage of the president. When Montjarret,
this is the mans name, exercised his tunc-
tion first in public there was great ado
about monarchical customs which were only
the preliminaries to the monarchy itself.
Felix Faure retained Montjarret, whose
name had become famous at a jump, and on
every occasion Montjarret, in gorgeous liv-
cry and wearing the huptsman's knife at his
side, preceded the presidents state carriage,
a magnificent four-horse brougham, driven
by two jockeys from the saddles-and no
body takes any umbrage at this display.
On the contrary, Montjarret has become ia
nous; his name figures in stage dittes; he
has been interviewed; his picture has ap-
peared innumerable times in public prints
and he is almost as popular as his master.
The president, who in his external appear
ance observes the utmost 'chic'-he changes
his apparel three or four times every day
shows in his personal habits that he is a
well-seasoned sportsman: The chase is his
greatest passion. For this reason he prefers
| The cute little hunting box Rambouillet,
! which affords excellent duck hunting, to all
other summer residences, which, as presi-
dent of the country, he has at his disposal.
| 1t is probably due to his passion for the
chase that he is an early riser, of which
there are very few in Paris. Before
he achieved his present high dignity, while
he was yet a member OF the natlonal assem-
| bly,, under secretary of state and secretary
of the navy, he used to keep the office hours
| for those who had to see him in these ca
pacties from to in the morning, and he
| has driven many a subordinate to despera-
tion. ... -....,,.... :, ...,.,
Even now he rises at an unusually early
hour, takes his morning bath summer and
| winter in tub-even this tub has become
| popular-and takes a long horseback ride
| in the Boulogne woods, accompanied by an
officer of his military household. At 8
o'clock-that is, at time when the fashion
| able Partisan takes his delicious morning
nap, the president returns to the Elysee
palace, changes his dress and dlsposes of
government work.
| As a rule the president breakfasts only in
company of Mrs. and Miss Faure. The af-
| ternoon is devoted to audiences, receptions,
| visits and other affairs of state, After din
i ner he usually goes, to some official ball OF
| to the theater. Though himself man OF
f, pleasant and even vivacious temperament,
! Faure frequents almost exclusively show
J houses of serious character, and it is an ex
| ception if he is seen in the vaudeville or the
Porte st. Martin.
This is dictated by the protocol, Ia
nous and quite unrepublican institution Of
the republic. The protocol is about what
at monarchical courts is understood under
the rules of the court marshal, or master
of cermonies, with the difference that the
protocol does not receive, but gives orders
| If the protocol" speaks the president has
to keep silence and has to obey. 1t de
cides in all questions of etiquette and cere
monial with sovereign authority and suf
fers no opposition.
At the head of this peculiar institution
which, Of course, has been the occasion O.
| thousands of jokes and sarcasms, is NJ. Gro
zier, former diplomat and exceedingly ele
CANT courtier, who, in his gorgeous apparel
can well vie with the master of ceremonies
Of real sovereign.
President Faure pays his household ex
penses from his civil list, which amounts
to 900 francs per month, or about l,24O,
900 francs per annum. This is, even ir
Paris, very appreciable sum of money, and
Jules Grevy, a former president, has shown
that snug fortune may be saved out OF il
during the seven years of the presidential
| term.
If it is considered, however, that there are
| considerable burdens upon this income il