Evening star., 1902-02-26
All France Celebrating Cen
tenary of Famous Author.
GRAND FETE IN PARIS
MOST IMPOSING FUNCTION IN
THE PANTHEON.
Gorgeous Decorations-Noted Men Of
the Country Pay Tribute
to His Genius.

PARIS, February 26.-The series of fes-
tivities to celebrate the one hundredth
birthday anniversary of Victor Hugo.
which will last until Sunday next opened
this morning with a grand ceremony with
in the Pantheon, under the auspices of the
government.
President Loubet. NJ Waldeck- Rousseau.
the premier, and other members of the cab
met the members of the senate and the
chamber Of deputies representative dele
cations from the institute and other state
bodies including the leading lights of art.
science and literature i'm France. and depu-
tations from the various lycees and edu-
cational institutions were present. Presi-
dent Loubet was warmly cheered along the
route as he drove to the Pantheon escorted
by a squadron of cuirassiers
The President and the cabinet ministers
took their seats in the official tribune erect
ed in the choir. while in the transept be-
meath the dome, were two other tribunes.
one to the right reserved for Madame
Loubet and the wives of the ministers, and
the other to the left, on which the members
of Victor HugO's family were seated. The
United States ambassador, Gen. Horace
Porter, sat in the front row of the seats
set apart for the diplomatic corps.
Bust of the Author On View.
Exactly beneath the dome rose. from out
of a cluster of palms and flowers. the bust
of Victor Hugo by the celebrated sculptor.
David dangers, and this was the symbol
to which the eyes Of the thousands Of spec
tators assembled within the vast hall were
directed A few steps behind the bust was
a little platform, from which the artists Of
the Comedie Franchise recited verses from
the poets works. Tribunes for the sena-
tors, deputies, academicans and the other
principal guests were ranged around the
nave. about 1900 persons being present;
A privileged position between the bust and
the front of the presidents tribune was re-
served for about ninety young men ana
girls selected from various schools TO t!pi-
fly the youth of France.
The decoration of the interior of the Pan-
theon for which parliament voted q 900
francs, was very simple but impressive,
blue being the dominant color. Inc slaes
were draped with blue velvet. oTnamenteu
with the initials w. H., and beneath the
dome was suspended an enormous gilt lau-
rel wreath attached to the surrounding
walls by light garlands OF foliage
Elaborate Decorations.
The walls Of the apse were completely
hidden by blue velvet hangings, embroi-
dered in gold, in the center of which stood
out a large wreath inclosing within II
Tyre and the initials ~. H. beneath being
the dates 1902 1902" The principal facade
was also hung with blue velvet bearing the
name OF the poet, Wnlle CLUSTERS ol pdihiS
and flags heightened the external color ell
feet.
The ceremony began shortly after 10 in
the morning and was concluded at 1l:!0
am The program included eulogistic ora
tions byM Leigues, minister of public In
structions and NJ. HanOteauX, president OF
the institute; recitals of several of Victor
Hugo'S poems by members of the Comedie
Francaise and the rendering of hymns
based on Hugo's works by NJ Delmas of the
opera and a choir of 1870 men and women.
The band of the Republican Guards and an
orchestra numbering 1OJ persons performed
the instrumental part Of the exercises
The scene within the Pantheon was most
imposing and full of color, owing to the
brilliant toilets of the ladies and the uni
forms of the officials.
In all the public schools of France the
day will be celebrated by lectures on the
life of Frances national poet and readings
from his works by the professors