The gold leaf. [volume] (Henderson, N.C.) 1881-1911, 1900-08-02
LETTER FROM PARIS.
a Henderson Boy in the Gay French
observations and Impressions
Abroad-The People, the Exposition
and Other Things.
PARIS, France. July. 1900.


Abroad-The People, the Exposition
and Other Things.
PARIS, France. July. 1900.
EDITOR GOLD LEAF:-Thinking that
You and your readers might be in
terested enough in a Henderson boy
now sojourning in gay Paree'' to
read what he may write, l herewith
transmit to YOU brief and hastily
written letter Of observation from
this fast and famous city toward
which the eyes and footsteps of hum
dreds OF thousands Of people OF all
civilized nations are now turned on
account of the great exposition
We reached Paris via Liverpool and
London. After spending a day and a
half in Liverpool we attempted to
hasten on to the gayest, most luxu-
rious, and most fashionable CITY of
the world, but found we must wait
four hours in London before starting
for Paris. We thought we had surely
entered death trap in crossin g
the English Channel. Was never so
sick before. The treasury was soon
empty" and for time l thought |
must give up all | had, even life it
self, to satisfy the demands of the
mad waters, or monsters of the deep.
But we finally reached our destina-
ton.
Paris is an ideal city. The houses
are not too high and are made of
white stone and are very clean. All
kinds of carriages, omnibuses, cleo
trio trains, electric carriages go
swiftly along. The people are espec-
tally polite-take off their hat when
spoken to for any information. And
when leaving store always take off
their hat and bow to the women in it.
They bow and greet you when you
meet at lodging houses. What con-
trast between this and our American
customs! When omnibuses are full
no one is allowed to crowd in. But
you may get on top and this is the
best way to see the sights, and a
cheap way also. TO our surprise
every thing in the eating line in Paris
is dirt cheap-and served in the best
style-the French pride themselves
on being good cooks. We rode across
Paris in an open carriage on the first
dag we were here and it cost only two
francs and half, or fifty cents. The
half was drink for the driver, which
must always be given. The custom
of tipping walters, janitors, drivers
and nearly everybody else here is
quite over done, but makes life agree
able-especially for the other fellow.
The custom officials did not trouble
US on our way over, only asked if we
had any tobacco.
The women in Paris are exception
ally pretty, but very careless about
the way they hold up their dresses
They all hold them half way up to
their knees, and some higher. They
all wear slippers and dress much bet
ter than the English. We OCCASION
ally meet with some Americans in res
taurants and other places. We had a
good ride on one of the 'busses yes
terday and it cost only three cents.
The women in London are quite good
looking, but in Liverpool they are
fierce and look like drunkards. They
say it is the climate.
We are enjoying ourselves I'M
When we went to the
famous Louvre for the first time |
could not pull myself away for four
hours. 1t is the priceless art museum
of France. 1t seems useless to say
that the destruction of one of it's
Paintings or
Antiq would be an irrepara BILE
loss not only to the present but to all
generations. One of the
most magnificent apartments of the
Louvre is the Gallery of Apollo. One
could spend hours in this room alone.
The ceiling is in itself picture gal
lery, each painting placed here is in
a gilded frame. Upon the walls are
life size portraits wrought in Gobelin
In the glass cases are
objects so precious that we should ex
pect to see them guarded by file of
soldiers, instead Of by the one attend
ant stationed there. They are sepa-
rated from the visitors fingers by only
a thin screen of glass. We see the
diamond hilted sword of Bonaparte,
valued at 100000, the sword and
spurs of Charlemagne, caskets and
gems which belonged to French
queens, and even the famous Regent
diamond, valued at 100000 and
considered one Of the finest in the
world. There l saw the most famous,
renowned and beautiful Of all its
relics Of antiq uity-the Venus Of
Melos, bust of Caesar and many
Emperors of the Roman Empire,
crowns and robes of Kings, Titian's
Entombment of Christ, Da Vince's
portrait of Mona Lisa, &c.
From this building we went into
the Garden of the Tuleries. These
are adorned with statues, shrubs,
howery lakes and large arch. Pass
ing through there we found ourselves
near Place de la Concorde, Camps
Elvsies and not far from the Arch Of
Triumph, situated on a hill in one OF
the best portions of the city. 1t was
begun by Napoleon | and finished by
Napoleon III. From the top | had a
fine view of the city.
On our exhibit in the exposition we
have displayed an American eagle
holding an American shield. The
American building and exhibits have
been misrepresented. They are fine
and do credit to our country. We get
mixed in trying to speak both French
and English. For instance, French
man asked me if | spoke English and
l replied in French Il do not under
stand French" Recently we had a
grand reception in the American
building. Mr.. Gibbons had issued
cards for it and we had some swell
people there, nearly all the Com
missioners and their wives, reporters
and many others. The women were
dressed to ''beat the band" and the
men all wore beavers, Prince Alberts
and white vests. | am surprised at
the collection of precious stones
here found in the United States.
French boys and girls here up to