The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-07-21

no love for empty splendor. He has made
the Elysee Palace as reasonably democratic
as the White House. Like most hard work
ing men. he gets early 10 his work. In
winter he rises at 6. In summer "a 3 o'clock;
ne drinks a cup Of coffee and reads the
newspapers and the reports prepared by
his secretaries. Every day from : TO 10
he walks abroad. following the avenue of
the Champs Elysees and the bOulevards.
He marches briskly, a cane in hand-for ne
has a peculiar antipatny 10 the umbrella.
I'D rather be rained on than carry such
a ridiculous object over my head he said
once.
So you may see him any day. going
briskly along or pausiHg 10 look in a shop
windOw-a bro"ad-shOuldered, efficient man,
rather short, gray-bearded. with steady
blue eyes ana face at once strong and gen.
ial. From 10 o'clock until nOOn, except when
he presides over the Ouncil of ministers,
be receives those who have secured audi
ence. At Y O'Clock he breakfasts with his
wife and sons and usually a few friends OF
the family. Then until 2 o'clock he works
In his study with his secretaries. IL is a
large and handsome room, this cabinet du
president de Ia republique. looking cut upon
the gardens. The back wall. which forms
a hemicycle, is decorated with an admira-
bic GObelin tapestry of the time of Louis
XIV, representing the four elements. In
front OF it is the Presidents table-a huge
affair covered with papers. pamphlets,
books on political economy-favorite sub
Jects of his study.
1t is 2 O'Clock and the President has
drawn on his driving gloves. His phaeton,
two perfect hackneys in the harness, is at
the door. Monsieur Loubet takes the reins
and drives toward the Bots. He knows
horses and loves them. Indeed unless it be
the tarifD there is nothing outside his fam
lily for which he cares so much. At 1 o o'clock
the President is at his desk again. Work
goes on until Z o'clock. when dinner IS
served in his private apartments. Tn even
Ing, unless some state affair interVeneS, is
his own. He spends it in his little salon,
smoking a meerschaum pipe. reading his
books. or chatting with his family. At half
past 10 he knocks the ashes out of his pipe,
puts away his books and goes TO bed.
Now this is the plain picture of the life of
the President of France-a simple, good.
labOriOus lie. at once French and demo-
cratic. You have not forgotten that in the
early days of his presidency certain Paris
ians. SnObs and nternatiOnalistS. come
from no one knows what sad Polands, spent
their sharpest wit on him. 1t was a war
much like that waged once on Abraham
Lincoln. But he. whom they mistOok for a
timid and modest bourgeois. showed quail
tiles of courage and tenacity against which
their tinsel ridicule was most truly but
"chaff." He went calmly on his republican
way. He was a true son of Dauphiny, pa
tient and firm. F1rmuesS and patience won
the day. Always popular in the calm. sane
country provinces of France, he Is to-day
popular IN Paris. Speak To what good re-
publican you will and ne will say: Mon
sieur Loubet? Tn brav' homme."
That would make a fine epitaph for any
one. and Emile LOubet-that wholesome,
prudent. kindly countryman-wOuid. l am
sure. ask no better; IL is not quite so dig
nifed as "Vive lie President and all that.
but there is in ii "a world of that friendly
affection and widespread respect which are
the just due of the first citizen of France.