The Forrest City times., 1902-02-28
VICTOR HUGO CENTENARY.
France Honors the Memory of He, Foremost Poet and Liter
 ary Light.
FESTIVITIES BEGUN IN SAY PARIS.
The Pantheon Thronged With Rep rcsentatives of Science. Art and Literature. Headed by President Louhet. to Inaugurate the Postal Season.

Paris. Feb. e7.-The series of festiv. iiies to celebrate the centenary of the birth of Victor Hugo. which will last until Sunday next, opened Wednesday morning with a grand ceremony. within the Pantheon. un- der the auspices of the government President Loubet, M Waldeek- Rous- seau, the premier. and the other members of the cabinet. the members of the senate and the chamber oi deputies. representative delegations from the institute and other state bodies. including the leading lights of art, science and literature ID France, and deputatious from the various lyeees and educational insfi. futions were present. President Lou bet was warmly cheered along the route as he drove to the Pantheon escorted by squadron of cuirasSicrs
 The president and the cabinet min. isters took their seats in the official tribune erected in the choir. while m the transept. beneath the dome were two other trihHnes. one to the right, reserved for Mime Loubet and the wives of the ministers. and The other to the left. on which the mem hers of Victor Hueo'S family were seated. The United States ambaSsa. dor, Gen. Horace Porter sat in the front row of the seats set apart for fhe diplomatic corps.
 Exactly beneath the center of the dome rose. from out of cluster of palms and flowers. the bust of Vie. tor Hugo by the celebrated sculptor. David D'Angers. and this was the symbol to which the eyes of the thou sands of spectators assembled within the vast hall were directed.
 \ few steps behind the -hust was little platform. from which the art ists of the Comedie Franchise recited verses from the poets works. Fri. hunes for the senators. deputies aeademicians and the other principal guests were ranged around the nave. about 5.oeo persons in all being pres ent. \ privileged position between the bust and the front of the preSi. dents tribune was reserved for about ninety young men and girls se- iected from various schools to typify the youth of France
 The decoration of the interior of the Pantheon. for which parliament voted S0.oo0 francs. was very simple but impressive. blue being the domI- nant color. The sides were drapea with blue velvet ornamented with the initials 'N II" and beneath the dome was suspended an enormous gilt lau- rel wreath attached To the surround ing walls by light garlands of foliage. The walls cf the apse were complete ly hidden by blue velvet hangings, embroidered in gold. in the center of which stood cut a large wreath in- closing within ii Tyre and the ini- tials ". II. beneath being the dates -Is02-l902"
 The principal facade was also hung with blue velvet. bearing the name of the poet. while clusters of palms and flags heightened the external color effect.
 The ceremony began shortly after ten in the morning and was conclud- ed al ll:45 a. m. The programme in eluded eulogistie orations hv VI. Leygues. minister of public instruc- ton. and NJ. Hanotaux. president of the institute: reci1als of several of Victor HGgo's poems by members of the Comedie Franchise. and the rem dering of hymns based on Hugo's works by NJ. Delmas. of the opera. and choir of ls0 men and women. The band of the republican guards and an orchestra numbering 100 per sons performed the instrumental part of the exercises.
 The scene within the Pantheon was most imposing and full of color. ow- ing to the brilliant toilettes of the ladies and the uniforms of the off eials.
 In all the public schools ef France the day was celebrated by lectures on the life of France national poet and by readings from his works by tha DrGfeSsarS