Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1900-07-08
Paris Letter.

Longchamps, about four miles from
the city. Why Is it that in all Catho-
lie countries, Sunday is selected for
soprts and amusements? In Spain
bull fights; in Italy. picnics and ex-
cursions; in France; automobile, BIZ
cycle and horse races. l did not go to
the Grand Prix. l saw it twenty-five
years ago, with the President of
France, Marshal Mcmahon, on the
grand stand with the Shah of Persia
and the ex-King of Spain Amodeus as
guests of honor. Once is often enough
to see Grand Prix or to go Summing.
It may be necessary to know and un-
derstand some things, but it is not nee
esary to wallow in them. / remember
just how 1t looked: with its immense
throng OF people in carriages, drags,
four-inhands and cabs; thousands on
foot; gamblers and dem-mondeines,
the fast set from France, England and
America. The demimonde is always
conspicuous in fine carriages or on tai
ly-ho coaches, wearing for the first
time the Partisan gowns and hats of
the season, which will in an incredibly
short time be initiated in every nook
OF our own country; yes, much sooner
than in any other country on the
planet 'Tis pity it's true. Renan was
perhaps right in his hatred of exposi-
tions and in blaming women for them.
There are many kinds Of expositions.
Yesterday, President Loubet and his
guest of honor, King Oscar (Berna-
dotte) of Sweden, went to the races in
separate drags, each drawn by four
horses and each left horse ridden by
jockey or postillion. The drags were
accompanied by platoons of dragons.
Republican simplicity has not pene-
trated France. The manners, the
forms, the state etiquette are all Of the
empire or previous monarchy, which
has passed only in name. Names are
more easily changed than conditions
rooted in centuries. But France is no
doubt more PROSPEROUS and freer from
war and from the Catholic church than
during the days of the last empire.
The exposition buildings during the
week, when there is an average OF 150,-
900 visitors, are quite well filled, and
on Sundays, when there are nearly a
half million, it is uncomfortably
crowded. But now 5000 cabmen have
struck and thousands who depend on
cabs will not be able to reach the
grounds. The omnibuses, cabs, street
cars and Seine river boats were, even
before the strike, uotoriously made
quate. After waiting for twenty min
utes on several occasions to get cab
or a seat in an omnibus, have chang
ed my lodgings and now have a room
within half a square of one of the en-
frances, and am independent of all
kinds OF transportation.
In spite Of military reverses, the
South African Republic day before
yesterday inaugurated its building in
the Trocadero ardens. The exposition
is composed of three parts; the official
pavilion, he Boer House, and mining
plant. The official pavilion is of the
Dutch or Flemish st:le or architecture,
with columns in white and gold and
bright interior decor ations. At the en-
trance is seen bust of President
Kruger, upon which a large tri-color
bouquet has been placed with card
bearing the words Homage of band
of patriotic Partisan workmen." The
pavilion contains number of objects
of sinister suggestion and memory.
One is a bug clumsy cannon, now very
rusty, which a Boer foundry made in
1880 and which contributed to the
Boer victory at Majuba Hill. Then
there is library with text books, etc.,
showing the public school system;
plan of the johannesburg mines, pho
tographs of the country and a model
of the old-time Boer wagon. The house
10 OH cAdSt lCPiobuStiohN Vi hoIiNc
with its four rooms: two bed
rooms, a kitchen and kind Of parlor !
or sitting room The floors are of
earth, the bedsteads of iron. A bible |
and an old organ are part of the scant |
and simple furniture. In the mining |
section are shown complete models of |
the machinery used for the reduction |
of gold ore. There is estimated to be
SO 500, 100000 unmined gold in the |
The guests among whom |
the officers of the Exposition, the for
eign commissioners and the members |
Of the press, were received by Mr..
the Boer commissioner gen.
eral.
From register placed near the door
where many signatures were written,
quote: THE Representatives of the
Russian press assembled at Paris en-
.ertain the most fervent wishes for the
triumph of the South African
Republic in her glorious struggle for
liberty and independence. This in
'cription set me wondering what these
journalistic subjects of the Autocrat
If all the Russias know about liberty
md independence. and where they
would be sent if they should suggest a
truggle for liberty and independence
O their fellow subjects at home ]
Wonder il those Russian journalists
hink they are free, or want freedom,
n are they phrase -befuddled, mouth
ng "liberty and independence" as a