New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-02-27
FRANCE HONORS HUGO.
CELEBRATING THE CENTENARY OF THE
POETS BIRTH.
IMPOSING EXERCISES IN THE PANTHEON
PARIS. AND THE MONUMENT BY
BARRIAS DEDICATED.

|
BARRIAs DEDICATED
Paris. Feb. 26.-The series of festivities to cee-
| brate the centenary of the birth of Victor Hugo
| which will last until Sunday next. opened this
morning with grand ceremony within the Pan
theon under the auspices of the government Presi-
| dent Loubet, NJ. Waldeck- Rousseau, the Premier,
| and the other members Of the Cabinet. the mem
| bers of the Senate and 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 deputa-
| tons from the various lycees and educational in
! situations present. President Loubet was
warmly checred along the route he drove TO the
Pantheon escorted by a squadron OF cuirassiers
The President and the Cabinet Ministers took
| their seats in the official tribune erected in the
choir, while in the transept beneath the DOME were
two other tribunes, one TO the right reserved for
| Nine. Loubet and the wives OF the Ministers, and
! the other, to the left. which the members OF
Victor Hugos family seated The United
States Ambassador, General Horace Porter, sat in
the front row OF the seats set apart for the dipo
| matte CORPS Exactly beneath the centre of the
dome rose. from out Of cluster OF palms and flow
| ers, the bust Of Victor Hugo by the celebrated
sculptor, David dangers. and this the symbol
| to which the eyes of the thousands of spectators
assembled within the vast hail directed. A
| few steps behind the bust a little platform,
from which the artists Of the Coincide Francaise
recited verses from the poets works. Tribunes for
the Senators. Deputies, Academcians and the other
| principal guests were ranged around the nave.
about five thousand persons in all being present
privileged position between the bust and the front
OF the Presidents tribune was reserved for about
ninety young and girls selected from various
schools to typify the youth OF France.
DECORATIONS OF THE PANTHEON.
The decoration OF the interior OF tho Pantheon,
for which Parliament voted $1,000 francs sim
pie. but impressive. blue being the dominant color.
The sides draped with blue velvet, orna-
mented with the initials 'V. H." and beneath the
dome suspended enormous gilt laurel
wreath attached TO the surrounding walls by light
garands Of foliage. The walls Of the apse
completely hidden by blue velvet hangings.
brodered in gold in the centre Of which stood out
a large wreath inclosing within it a Tyre and the
initials ''V. H beneath being the dates 1902
1902" The principal facade 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 10 o'clock in
the morning and concluded at Las a. m The
programme included euogistic orations by NJ
Leygues Minister OF Public Instruction. and NJ.
Hanotaux, president of the institute; rectals of
several of Victor Hugo's poems by members OF the
Coincide FRANCHISE. and the rendering of hymns
Opera. and a choir of one hundred and eighty men
and orchestra numbering one hundred persons
The scene within the Pantheon was most i'm
posing and fun OF color. owing 10 the brilliant
toilettes Of the women and the uniforms of the
officials.
Defeating THE BARRIAS MONUMENT
There was an immense concourse this afternoon
TO witness the dedication OF the monument to
Victor Hugo erected the Place Victor Hugo In
the Passy quarter. within a stones throw of the
house No. 124 Avenue Victor Hugo in which the
poet died. The ceremony began at r. m and
lasted exactly one hour The weather was
threatening. but rain fell until the conclusion
Of the exercises.
The square, the surrounding buildings and the
trbunes erected for the spectators were gavly
municipal fete which the monument was of
hcially handed over to the city Of Paris. and Il
was. consequently, presided by the president
of the Municipal Council. who had beside him as
bers of the Cabinet. Addresses were delivered by
the president of the municipality and the chair
man of the monument committee. clarifying the
memory of Victor Hugo.
The monument which is the work Of Louis BAR
rias, finely conceived and executed in bronze
and stone. IT represents Victor Hugo pensive
seated on a rock, with Drama and Poetry his
feet offering him a Tyre.
The square and the adjacent thoroughfares and
also the Place de lHotel de Vile Illuminated
this evening.
cert and reception in the Hail Festivities and the
other salons of the Hotel de Vile, and the building
and place will again be illuminated. on Friday the
delegates will entertained
leading public edhces and monuments will he
visited and luncheon will be given in honor of the
delegates in the Palmarium of the Geological Car
dens. A grand ball is 10 be given by the munich
pality in the Hotel de Vile Saturday night The
festivities will eliminate Sunday with a mag
nicent celebration, under the auspices of the rni-
nicipality. the Place des NosgeS.
In all the public schools of France the day will
be celebrated by lectures the life of Frances
national poet and by readings from his works nv
the professors.