Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-02

by, with all the movement and charm of
life. No dullneSs will arise from any OK
cess Of archaeological precision. The ten
ants OF the various shops will be CARRIED in
costumes of the epoch; our professions
Will be faithful reproductions, picturesque
IN the extreme. True gaiety will peryade
our entire city"
On the old bridge, Pont au Change, the
trades of years gone by will be revived
his bridge was famous in the seventeenth
century. 1t was then the rendezvous of
the wealthy classes and had all the ap-
pearance of a street on the water for tall
houses were built on both sides of the
bridge 1t was, perhaps, the most curious
street. IN all Paris. The shops and stores
We're In the hands Of the richest trades
men, They were not all French but COM
prised Lombards, Florentines, orientaIs
and Flemish men who had come from all
parts Of Europe to trade IN gold wares
curios. f1nery and even in furs, which they
imported from Russia The bridge had a
cosmopolitan aspect. for the merchants eX-
hibited their national flags their civic ban
ners and their coat-of-arms their en-
trance doors.
The st. Lawrence Fair was the great
fashion quarter of the city; here were con-
greSated the makers of the modes of the
epoch. coutumieres, florists, vendors of
nne linen, wig -makers perfumers glove
makers. embroiderers, lace-makers and the
manufacturers of the thousand and one
nothtngs which contributed in no small
measure to the success Of the Paris of
teenth century. A grand reproduction of
this pretty quarter. in which feminine
grace and charm play SO important a role
will be attempted by NJ Robida: with his
ahecdota4 history he Will doubtless make
II very attractive and exceedingly anus
The Century of Light
THE twentieth century will be called the
century Of light" So said the famous
~
convinced that the duty of the Paris expo
siuon IS TO display the most extraordinary
scientific and artistic attainments of the
century, he remarked that light glass and
color, the three collaborators that are the
flchest IN decorative effect, had tempted
nun 10 produce something entirely new
commissioner General Picard said in one
or his speeches: The universal exposition
OF 1900 viii be the epitome and the syn
lnesls OF the century. 1t will have gran
ueur, grace ana beauty; 1t will reflect the
luminous genius of France; it will prove
mat the French are In the vanguard of
progress; 1t will be an honor to the coun-
try and to the republic" NJ. Ponsin bore
the words in mind, and set to work to solve
the problem how to convey to the public
an "epitome and synthesis' of the progress
lines OF glass and stained glass-that re-
noWned Vltrarius designed the Luminous
Palace His recent death will not permit
OF ms witnessing the brilliant fashion in
"hich MS plans have been executed.
IN medieval times the name of yitra rims
was given to the artistic designers Of
stained glass. The art was f1ourishing in
the south Of France in the thirteenth 90
fury but 1t was not until the fifteenth CEN
Jury that 1t shone in all its radiance in the
Gatnedrals of Evreux. Bourges and Notre
Dame de Paris where splendid specimens
are still to be seen. Its revival In the Iat.
Ter half OF the nineteenth century, In
France was due in no small measure to
the late ]. A. Ponsin. ~
I IaY
less than glass house. Being erected IN
close proximity to the Eiffel tower com
parsons are sure to be drawn between the
lively tiny palace of crystal The I,umi
nous Palace will be built in the middle Of q
miniature lake, and "wiil have ali the an
pearance," poet has said. "of a grand
stones in case Of somber trees''