The Montgomery advertiser. [volume] (Montgomery, Ala.) 1885-1982, 1902-02-27
IMPOSING CEREMONIES
President Loubet and Cabinet
Ministers Participate.
Eulogistic Remarks Upon the aSsas
Poet by Observation-Disclosures
Ambassador Sat with the
Diplomatic Corps.

| Paris, Feb. 26.-!The series Of festivl-
ties to celebrate the centenary birthday of
Victor Hugo to last until Saturday next.
opened this morning with grand cere-
mony within the panthaeon under the
auspices Of the government.
President Loubet. NJ. waideck-Ro
seau. members of the Cabinet. members
Of the Senate and the Chamber Of
Deputies. representative delesationn
from the institute and other State bodies.
including the leading lights OF arts.
scieice and literature in France and depu.
tations from the various lyces and edu-
cational institutions were present.
President Loubet was warmly chesred
along the route. as he drove to the PAM
thaeon, escorted by squadron Of cuxas-
siers.
The President and Cabinet ministers
took their seats in the official tribuno
erected in the choir. while in the transept
beneath the dome, were two other
tribunals. one to the right reserved for
Nine. Loubet and the wives of the MINI
listers and the other to the left on whiclI
the members of Victor Hugo's family
were seated. The United States AM
bassador. General Horance Porter, sat In
the front row Of the seats set apart for
the diplomatic corps.
Exactly beneath the center Of the dome
rose from out of cluster OF palms ana
flowers the bust Of Victor Hugo by the
celebrated sculptor. David Dangers. and
this was the symbol to which the eyes
of thousands Of spectators, assembled In
the vest hall, were directed. A few
steps behind the bust was little plat
| form from which the artists Of the
Coincide Franchise recited verses from
| the poets works. Tributes for the Sena-
tors. Deputies, Academies and the othex
principal guests were arranged about the
| Naive, about 5000 persons In all being
present. A privileged position between
the breast and front tribunes Were re-
served for about twenty young men and
girls selected from various schools to
typify the youth of France.
The ceremony began shortly after 10
o'clock in the morning and was conclud-
ed at Has a. m. The program included
eulogistic orations by M. Leagues. Min
lister of Public Instructions, and NJ. Hon
otaux, President Of the institute: recitals
of several of Victor Hugo's poems by
members of the Coincide Franchise. and
the rendition of hymns based on Hugo's
works by M. Delmas, of the opera, ard
choir of $50 men and women.
The band of the Guarde Republique and
an orchestra numbering one hundred
pieces performed the instrumental part
Of the exercises.
The scene within the pantheon was
most imposing and full Of color owing to
the brilliant toilettes of the ladies and
the uniforms of the officiais. In all the
public schools of France the day was
celebrated by lectures on the life OF
Frances national poet and by readings
from his works by the professors.
There was an immense concourse this
afternoon to witness the Inauguration OF
the monument to Victor Hugo, erected
on the Place Hugo. in the Passy quarter,
In stones throw of the house No. 124
Avenue Victor Hugo, in which the poet
died.
The Theatre Franchise had gala APP
pearance tonight upon the revival. in
honor of the centenary Of Huso's drama
Les Burgraves." which was played for
the first time since 1913. The leading
notable personages in Paris were present
at the performance, which was reserved
to invited guests.
There was an interesting ceremony after
the third act. when the curtain rose and
revealed a bust Of Victor Hugo in the
center of the stage, upon which
Mesdames Barte and Segondweber, as
the Muses. of Poetry and Drama, placed
laurel wreaths. The actress also recited
verses by Victor Hugo amid much en-
thusiasm
Dispatches received here today say that
the centenary was suitably celebrated I'm
most of the towns of France as well In
the capitals Of Europe.