The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1905-01-22
A LETTER FROM PARIS.

I'VE call the French people frivolous"
writes Mrs. ]. B. Raulston in a charm
ing letter from Paris but they must
be deeply intellectual. I am impressed
by the interest that is shown in classic
plays. In our country, as rule, Shakes
peare's plays are not we'll attended. In
Paris at the Odessa and the Coincide
Franchise the plays of Racine, Moliere
Corneille and other classical writer's are
presented and 1T is difficult to obtain
seats.
Then the lectures at the Sarbonne or
University of Paris are so crowded that
we go an hour ahead of time to get a
place, and many stand through the lee
ture. 1t is delightful to hear French SO
perfectly spoken.
ION Christmas Eve, five of u.s. all
Americans, attended midnight mass at
the Madeleine. We left our pension early,
took the car some distance and then
walked to the church to see the streets
of Paris at night. They were like fair.
The poorer merchants are allowed to
rent the outer edge of the sidewalks and
erect little sheds, called baraqies for
the sale of curios and cheap, mechanical
dolls, animals and toys were displayed
on the walks before the eyes of the ad-
miring public. The vendors are only al
lowed this privilege once year for two
weeks.
I'VE soon arrived at the Madeleine,
which, you know, was modelled after the
Partheum 1t Is perfectly cold and clas-
steal building, the friezes decorated with
scenes in the life of Christ and the in
terror filled with affairs to the Virgin
and Magdalen. We had to be there two
hours before the time to get seats as
the churches here are as popular as the
theaters at home, and all good Catholics
must attend this mass. The music was
magnificent, solos by members of the
grand opera company, responses by the
choir. After the mass we went to a pa
tissirie in the Place de la Madeleine and
took hot chocolate and sandwiches.
There is what is called the reveillon af
ter the mass. Every one goes out to sup
per and the cafes are open al. night
When all was over we tumhled into a
cab, five of us, and drove home, between
2 and 3 o'clock in the morning. Sunday
Christmas Day. we did not rise until
noon, but in the afternoon we went to ST.
Eustache, the largest church in Paris
after Notre Dame There we heard a
sermon and more good music and saw
the creche. which, Is a most grotesque
representation of the birth Il Christ.
Here children bring their offerings for
several weeks and their gifts are the
property of the choristers, who are
usually children OF poor parents.
1--WE are In the Quarter Latin-very
near the American Students club, and
run in there often to chat with the pref
ty secretary, Miss de VALERIE take a cup
of tea and a book from the library. I
work every morning or afternoon in one
of the large studios, drawing from life.
There is really no beginning and no end
to the wonders OF this interesting and
beautiful city. Every street, every
| building every square. each avenue and
| boulevard has its place in the history Of
France.
1.-THE Louvre is the noblest monument
of the French renaissance. 1t is the very
heart of Renaissance Paris. or the Paris
of Francis l and his splendor-loving sue
cessors. 1t is the pride and delight of
the nation. I speak of this, not as be-
ing the oldest building. but because,
above all others II is most interesting TO
me as being the worthy depository of the
| most magnificent sculpture and paint
| ings in the world. One should come to
Paris IL only to see the Venus de Milo
outlined against her crimson back
ground. No copy has ever done Justice
to her exquisite beauty, the grace of her
pose, the purity Of expression, the entire
absence of voluptuousness-even the tex
ture of her skin is noticeable"