The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-17
AN AMERICAN EXHIBIT.
Scenes In Paris That Amazed the
French Police.
(From the London Truth. }


(From the London TRUTH
We had great field for the study of
| American characteristics at the Inaugural
ton Of the United States paviIion-a cere-
! mony that was combined with the handing
| over OF the building to the French Gov
| eminent. The visible sign Of transfer was
/ golden key with a spread eagle serving
| for the handle. This symbol of ownership
| was given to the French President Of the
Exhibition Commission. NJ. Picard. He
| was asked by Mr. Peck, the head CT the
United States Commission. to wear It with
| his other decorations. The ladies' were
| endless There was not plain face among
the younger ones. All were pleasing who
were not strikingly pretty. Each seemed
| in the habit OF governing her own life and
| OF finding admiring companionship in the
i unmarried Of the other sex. The married
people did not mix much with the unmar-
ried. Mr.. Simms, however, as secretary
to branch 1.-THE press branch) Of the
American Commission. was attentive to
the possible wants and wishes Of the lady
journalists. He is at the opposite pole Of
the how-not-to-do-it circumlocution ON
cial. Mr.. Simms always knows how to do
1t and never seems tired Of rendering good
offices. Mrs. Simms Is an American lady
OF whom Uncle Sam may be proud. How
the old mans heart must often swell with
pride and pleasure at his endless nieces.
+ The crowd was sitting. All Americans
in Paris were invited through the papers.
OF course there wasA free lunch" That
is an essential part Of an American after
noon celebration. Sousa's band played. It
is the foremost in the United States. 1t
reminded me Of the bands one hears at the
Tiyoli in Hanover and in front of the Ca
sino at Baden Baden. French police could
not appreciate, like our Ambassador.
American ways. They looked almost with
angry eyes at the free and-easy cheerful
ness of their brethren of 1.-The American
guard"
Two Of the latter stood laughing. back
to back in the middle of the company
to see see who was the taller Another
pair shook hands across the shoulder of
United States Senator. who, l was told. was
a Millionaire. He did not seem TO resent
the freedom of the American guards. but
the French policeman did. The Inaugural
ton was through and through on demo-
cratic lines, and everyone seemed to enjoy
it. Though guards were SO free and hearty,
did not see one who Wis in the least
rough. and all stood back 20 make way for
ladies. How the latter we're idolized. but
in a companiouabIe way. rhe female in
FAINT born in the United States draws a
good ticket in the lottery OF life I thought
melancholy undertons o. George Eliot's
novels: She needs to go and pass a few
years in our hearty. laughing happy coun-
try" or course. Gen. Horace Porter,
United States Ambassador, attended the
inaugural and transferal ceremony. He is
of robust mind and body. and most hearty
ard affable. The general modestiy at
tributes his rapid rise in the United
States Army to mortality. not merit"
He was on General Grants stan during the
civil war. The Polytechnic School here
turns out prigs- But West Point, where
General Porter graduated. does not
could imagine him achieving splendid sue
cesses as political orator curing the can
vass for the Presidency. He has the off,
hand original forms Of speech and the
fine spirits which carry all before them at
a convention out West. And yet no pro-
fessional diplomat could beat General Por-
ter in a close game in which American as
agains. other interests were the stakes.
He is intensely shrewd and could not be
indiscreet.