New-York tribune., 1900-12-30
MAYORALTY CAMPAIGN. Tribune Offes, NsW-fork.

to be always with the Opposition he will make
things lively for the multi-colored party in
power He was once asked whether he ap-
proved Of the French Revolution in every par
ticular of the Terror equally with the declara-
ton OF the rights of man; whether, in a word
he accepted the Revolution en- bloc He replleo
that he did, and in choosing the title OF his
pamphlet he has been inspired by this incident.
The Bloc will be written by NJ. Clemenceau
himself who will be not only its founder. but
the sole member of it's staff.
Politics, finance, all cares and troubles are
banshed from thought; the frantic efforts
Of the Nationalists well as the attempts OF
NJ. Zola, Colonel Picquart and the extreme Rad
icals to revive the Dreyfus agitation, have been
neutralized by the all-pervading confectioners'
truce. The holiday has reached its cli-
max; not for many year has such spontaneous
gayety prevailed Parisians all seem to-day as
merry crickets. The great feature which at
every step forces itself upon the attention is the
extraordinary development of the automatic
toy which has entirely replaced the traditional
doll. NJ. Leo Claretie, president of the toy Sec
tion of the Exposition, in elaborate officia4
report, states that the popular demand for auto
matte toys accurately reflects the psychological
tions which I had yesterday with the president
of the Chamber of Toy Manufacturers. and with
the leading toy manufacturers of Paris, fully
confirm N. Claretie's view. The president of the
syndicate said that there was spontaneous
outcry from. all .the.ehildren Of France for toys
illUSTrstiee ef real life; they will have Others
The restiit is that 100000 Such toys are now
exposed for sale Not since the fall of the En-
pire has the French toy trade been in so -four
ishing a condition. the workmen engaged in it
earning an average of seven francs a day.
Among specimens hat have taken the popular
fancy the tipsy Mayor, wobbling about un-
der the influence of the memorable banquet; the
Boer, in high boots. slouched hat and cartridge
pouch, mechanically dischargng his rife at
imaginary Englishmen; the automatic automo-
bile, the moving sidewalk the American trotter
hitched to a sulky with pneumatic wheels, driven
by an individual in silk; the stubborn mule,
managed by a clown by means of clockwork;
the Chinese Boxers. represented by an armed
Chinaman standing ready to kill any invading
foreigner who may show his head. He marches
with short, spasmodic steps, brandishing in one
hand a long lance. in the other a murderous
looking knife. His dress is faithful to the Chi
nese fashion, his features chdike and bland
The punishment of the Boxer is a toy of more
complex mechanism, a distinct novelty in idea
and construction Four representatives of the
European Powers hold the corners of blanket.
in the middle of which is a Boxer. By means of
special mechanism the four representatives of
the Powers Jerk the corners of the ''allied"
blanket. tand the Boxer goes into the air held
iE place by his queue. The victim continually
falls back on the blanket, only to be thrown into
the air again. This toy is an exact reproduc
tion of the trick of tossing man in a blanket
known in the French army as the brigade"
The toys rapidity of movement is regulated at
the will Of the operator, according to the degree
OF punishment merited by the Boxer. 1t is with
out doubt the most popular toy of the year.
The opening of the new Theatre Francais this
iemnity that appeals to all lovers Of the theatri
cal art, and was carried out in a manner worthy
of the traditions of the house of Moliere Most
impressive was the prologue in verse written hy
M Jean Richepin. and pronounced by NJ Mounet
Sully, dean of the comedians by Nine Worms
Baretta as Comedy and Nine Bartel as Trag-
edy- The opening stanzas, recited by NJ Mou-
net-Sully, were follows:
Muses. la demeure ancienne
Reste aVec sa couronne au front
Et la nouvelle aura la sienne
Toutes les deux resplendiront
Mais. Tune rautre ertrelacees.
Ces deux couronnes de pensees
Sloires futures ct passees
Men verront qu une lhorizon
Car Tame de gIoire qui yeille
Dams la demeure jeune gu vieille
En- fait toujours une ct parellle
La meme immortelle maison.
An enthusiastic reception was also rendered
10 Coouelin cadet. who. the curtain rose ad-
Vanced and pronounced appropriate and
touching speech on behalf of the Secretaries
alluding TO the presence on the stage of the ven
cradle retired comedians Got, Delauney. Nine
Broisat and others. connecting the present with
past generations Of actors. The evening bAsa,
with the ceremony Of the reception OF President
Loubet. by NJ jules Ciaretie adnninistrs +or CO.,
eral OF the conedie Francaise who aeeornna,,iaa
by the senainier. the comedian who for tba ,a61
is intrusted with the functions Of the stask mar.
ager' and attended by eight huissiers N krA.
oreeches' with superb silver chains ana hes~,n
ishted torches. awaited the Presidents arr,,sI
at the foot OF the grand staircase in 4ro~+ !.
Houdon's statue Of Voitaire The theatre 49,
brilliantly Illuminated by electricity tns,aa -
outside and the two memorable dates 1eeo
ISOo-stood forth like constellation. rrrooro.-
OF the Garde Rspublicaine, in white ie.+ha-
breeches. and with drawn sabres l,,ad -
Vestibules. corridors and staircases. The -
played the ''Aiarseillaise" as M c1arat,o 'ai,u
vanced toward the President the ca-a,,o.,-
being as nearly as possible reprodueto, !, -
receptions Of Louis XIV on State occas,o,.u
the comedie Francaise at
The aspect OF ths house itgelf is a.....,.,,
the same ss of that burned On March r4s