Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-02-27
VICTOR HUGO
IS HONORED
IN PARIS
CENTENARY or BIRTH rs cELE-
sRATED BY WEEK OF FEsTIVI-
TY OPENED IN PANTHEON
BY LoU5ET.

PARIS. Feb. 2s.-The series OF festivi-
ties TO celebrate the centenary OF the birth
OF Victor Hugo. which will last until sun
day next. opened this morning with
grand ceremony. within the Pantheon
under the auspices OF the government.
President Loubet. NJ. Waldeck Rousseau.
the premier and the other members OF the
cabinet the members OF the senate and
OF the chamber OF deputies. representative
delegations from the institute and other
state bodies including the leading lights
OF Art. Science and Literature In France,
and Populations from the various Lyeees
land Regulations from the various lycees
President Loubet was warmly cheered
along the route as he drove TO the Pan
theon. escorted by a squadron OF
cuirasziers-
The president and the cabinet minis
tiers took their seats In the Official tribune
erected IN the choir. while in the
transcept beneath the dome were two
other tribunes one to the right. reserved
for Nine. LOubet and the wives OF the
ministers and the other. 10 the left. on
which the members OF Victor HugO's fam
ny were seated The United States am
bassador. General Horace 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 a cluster OF palms and
flowers the bust Of Victor Hugo, by the
celebrated sculptor Dangers. and this
was the symbol 20 which the eyes OF thou
sands OF spectators gathered In the hall
were centered- A few steps behind the
bust was little platform from which the
artists OF the Coincide Franchise recited
verses from the poets works Tribunes
for the senator's. deputies. academicians
and other principal guests were ranged
around the nave. about $500 persons in al
being present A privileged position be.
tween the breast and front or the presi-
young men and girls. selected from the
various schools, 70 typify the youth Of
France
The decoration OF the interior OF the
Pantheon. for which parliament voted
Soo0o francs. was very simple. but i'm
pressive. blue being the dominant color.
The sides were decorated with blue. orna-
mented with the initials ~. H." and be-
meath the dome was suspended an enOT-
nous gilt laurel wreath TO the surround
ing walls BY light garIands Of foliage
The walls OF the Apse were completely
hidden BY blue velvet hangings. embroid-
cred In gold. in the center Of which stood
out a large wreath inclosing within il a
Tyre and the initials ~. H, beneath be-
ing the dates ''lS0z-lso1"
The principal facade was also hung with
blue velvet. bearing the name OF the poet
while clusters OF palms and flags height
ened- the external color effect The cere-
mony began shortly after 10 O'Clock in
the morning and was concluded at LAS
q m The program included eulogistic
oratious BY n. Leygues. minister OF pub
lie instruction and N. Hanotaux. president
OF the institute; recitations OF sew
eral OF Victor Hugo's poem by the mem
hers of the Coincide Franchise and the
rendition OF hymns. based on Hugos
works by II. Telmas, of the opera and
80 voices.
The band Of the guards republique and
an orchestra numbering 100 pieces per-
formed the Instrumental part OF the exer-
clses.
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 officials. In all the pub
lie schools u France the day viii be cele-
brated BY lectures on the life OF Frances
national poet and by readings from his
works by the professors.