New-York tribune., 1900-12-01
PARIS.
ITS MODERN LIFE DESCRIBED AND
PICTURED.

PARIS OF. TO-DAY. BY Richard whiteing. With
Pictures by Andre Castaigne. Octave. pp. 2S
The Century Company.
The Exhibition prompted the publication OF
the chapters OF this book in The Century;
but its appearance between covers as the Ex-
hibition closes is significant that its scope IT,
much wider than the immediate occasion OF its
being The Exhibition cuts no figure in II. The
book IS a study and q criticism of the salient
qualities OF modern Paris its people and us life
II is the real Paris that is described, by one
who clearly knows IL we'll and as IL is; ana SO
the description departs widely from conventional
lines The book is trenchant, yet sympathetic
The author is not without affection for the capi-
tai, and If he discusses it sometimes with the
superior air OF the Anglo-Saxon who sees
through much Of the Gallo quality at once
he Is indulgent, sometimes humorous. some
times gently sarcastic. a neighbor VINO mas
long since found out its fobles his attitude Is
yet kindly and appreciatiye. and what he says
IS really Illuminating,
Mr. Whiteing's theory OF the French people
Is that, while imagining themselves ever YOUTH
ful the most modern Of the moderns' they are
really the most aged race in Europe, with All
that that implies. 1t flashes on you without
preoccupation he says, and without warning
in modern Paris as well as in the remote prov
laws OF their bureaucracy. in a thousand me-
oiavali5ms OF their ways of thought" The idea
possessed by Paris that il is the newest Of the
new is merely its fun. In many OF the anti
ouated Paris workshops. that elsewhere would
be considered only less objectionable than a
Kafir kraal: in the smooth running Govern
ment machine. its clerks with their dossieTs'
the connecting links of all the little systems.
nonarchcal or republican; in the Middle Age
method OF criminal procedure; in the close cor
poration OF the bar. a survival Of pre-Revolu-
tionary France; in the red mass" during the
progress Of which ii seems TO the beholder as il
nothing much had happened for centuries Mr..
whiteing continually finds the wrinkle. You
cannot have been power and polity as far
back as Charlemagne for nothing.
Whether in the record Of concrete facts or the
analysis Of a condition, the author seldom fails
20 see below the surface. He has little COM
junction in piercing many cherished legends.
Dancing in the public balls. for instance. is now
q professional matter. Montmartre by night is
some thing to be seen, only 10 make sure that IL
is not worth seeing. The artistic and literary
cafes there were never anything but shows, their
proprietors never anything but showmen the
Bohernians for the decorative part Of the scheme
being hired for the occasion. The legends Of the
Montmartre poets. an poorer lot in spirit
than they are in purse are all moonshine. The
real poets are steady as a mere condition OF
success; one swallow in the shape of Verlaine
does not make q summer. Mr.. Whiteing leaves
us the boulevards. stl the source or distributing
centre Of all the fitting fancies of France. You
come in the daytime for the sensation of the
day and you get it, The midday breakfast at
the restaurant is still institution that has
not its superior. its hours are times of truce;
81 helps life TO advance pleasantly in its most
serious affairs and blessed are the breakfasters
while they breakfast" At night you join the
huge throng that has come out 10 see itself
that is the spectacle, and no matter how often
YOU have seen il, you are sure of your reward.
The chapter on Artistic Paris is one of Mr
whiteng's most readable efforts. His descrip
ton Of the Academy its meaning and it's results
would have charmed Daudet. Its great aim is
the production Of the normal man Of letters, the
equipoised personality OF wisdom wit, gravity
gayety. the harmony Of sometimes conflicting
opposites which old fashioned people look for in
anything, but just exactly enough-"a sort OF
Grandson OF the desk" THAT illustrious body
as IL is represented in French critical liter
ature by some great pedagogic figure is con-
Btanty rapping the whole class Of successful
writers the knuckes and ordering them to
leave of making a noise"
The book is a handsome one worthy Of its
subject. Mr.. Andre Castaigne has supplied
many drawings, abounding in character and
spirit delicately executed and beautifully re-
produced.