The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-02-26
IN HONOR OF HUGO
All France Celebrates the Hum
dreth Anniversary
Of the Birth of Her GreatAuthOr
and Loved Citizen.
RECITE HIS VERSES.
HIS VERSES.
Artists From the Coincide Fran
caise Join in Tribute
OF Regard For His Memory at
the Pantheon.

Paris, Feb. 26-The series of festivi-
| ties to celebrate the centenary of the
birth of Victor Hugo, which will last
until Sunday next, opened this morning
| with grand ceremony within the
Pantheon under the auspices of the
| government.
President Loubet, M. Waldeck-Rous-
seau, the premier, and the other MEM
bers of the cabinet, the members of the
senate and the chamber of dputies, rep
resentative delegations from the insti-
tute and other state bodies, including
the leading lights of art, science and
literature in France, and populations
from the various lyces and educational
institutions We're present.
President -Loubet was warmly cheered
along the route, as he drove to the
Pantheon escorted by a squadron of
cuirassiers.
The president and the cabinet min
listers 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 on which the members or VIC
tor Hugo's family We're seated The
United States ambassador, Gen. 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 Dust of Victor
Hugo by the celebrated sculptor, DAVID
Dangers, and this was the symbol TO
which the eyes of the thousands o.
spectators assent led within the EasS
hall We're directed A few steps behInd
the bust was a little platform, from
which the artists OF the Com edie Fran
caise recited verses from the poets
works. TribuneS for the senators, dep
uties, acadeInicians and the other prln-
cipal guests were ranged around the
nave, about five thousand persons IN
all being present A privileged position
between the bust and the front of the
presidents tribune, was reserved LOT
about ninety young men and girls, Sc
lected from various schools, to typlfy
the youth of France
The decoration of the interior of the
Pantheon, for which parliament voted
S0,0 900 frar.cs, was very simple but I'M
presSive, blue being the dominant color
The sides were draped with blue velvet
ornamerlted with the initials ". H.
and ben cath the dome was suspended an
enormous gilt laurel wreath attached to
the So rounding walls by light garlands
of foliage. The walls of the apSe was
comp Ietely hidden by blue velvet hang
ingS embroidered in gold, in the center
of Which stood out a large wreath IN
". H. beneath being the dates 1902
1HJ2'' The principal facade was also
hung with blue velvet holding the name
Of the poet, while clusters of palms ana
flags heightened the external color e.
feet.
The ceremony began shortly after 10
in the morning and was concluded at
11:45 a. m. The programme included
eulogistic orations by NJ. LeygeS, min
lister of public instruction and M. Hano-
taux, president of the institute; recitals
of several of Victor Hugo's poems by
members of the Coincide Franchise, and
the rendering of hymns based on Hugo's
works by NJ. Delmas, of the opera, and
choir of $50 men and women The
band of the Republican guards and an
orchestra numbering 100 persons per-
formed the instrumental part of the ex-
ercises.
The scene within the Pantheon was |
most imposing and full of color. owing |
to the brilliant toilets of the ladies and |
the uniforms 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 by reading from his works by the |