New-York tribune., 1905-02-12

pubic occasions. DR.. Combes is neither a
+clubmen'' society man" He is of re-
tiring. modest disposition, and does not care for
theatres. sport social functions. His domestic
life is unknown except TO his intimate friends.
He has the reputation of being uncommunica-
tive, harsh. austere autocratic and arrogant.
1t was consequently with some misgivings that
the writer called upon Dr. Combes. two days
after his retirement from Office, with the view
Of obtaining correct notions Of the personal
character and family surroundings OF the man
who for two and a half years governed France
with an iron hand. and who has been called by
his enemies Judas Iscariot," 'Pontius Pi-
late" and a ''Danton." and by his supporters a
'Solon," a Cromwell" and 'voltare."
DR.. Combes lives with his wife and daughter
in modest second story fat at No. 45 Rue
Claude Bernard. far from the fashionable CEN
tire, and on the southern border OF the Latin
Quarter. DR.. Combes is early riser. so at
o'clock in the morning the writer rang the door
bell, which answered by a comely and in
telligent maid who, after some slight hesitation,
took the visitors card to the ex-Premer. The
response favorable for IN a few moments
the writer was shown into small reception
room furnished with extreme simplicity. On
the mantlepiece was a small bronze statue of
Judith" On the wall hangs the portrait of his
younger daughter. Mile. Gernaine ,Combes,
painted by American artist. There were
also photographs of DR.. Combess eldest
daughter, Charlotte, married to DR.. Achille
Bron; DR.. Combes's two grandchildren, Andre
and Rene, aged respectively eight and six; OF
his son. Edgard Combes, and of the latter's wife,
who Miss Sophie Hall Cutler, of Boston
On the shelves Of a glass cupboard were q
dozen statuettes Of Greek dancing girls In gray
bisque of the seyres porcelain mandatory.
The furniture was such as one finds in the
dwellings of the smaller Partisan bourgeoiserie
comfortable but unpretentous. AS DR..
Combes subsequently remarked, the yearly rent
OF his fiat is 1900 francs, the equivalent In
American money OF $400. On the table were
a few magazines and half a dozen books among
which was a rare edition OF Horace. for Dr.
Combes IS a passionate Latin scholar. 1t is the
abode of cultivated self-made of mod
crate means, ard recalled TO mind the retort
once made in the Senate to NJ. le Provost de
Launay. wealthy landowner, who said: zone
can scarcely imagine that 1 was educated in q
lycee, and that you. NJ. Combes. received your
education in a seminary" whereupon Dr.
Combes replied: M. lie Provost de Launay you
have no right to address such an observation to
me. and for this reason: 1 am the son Of T.
workman. I did not. like you. have the good
fortune TO come into the world in a nest already
feathered and with situation already made.
was obliged TO obtain my education wherever
1 could find it; but paid for it, and am under
obligations 10 no oner'
The door opened. and DR.. Combes. with agile
elastic step. came into the room. He shook
hands cordially and remarked Il am very
busy but can manage to give you twenty min
utes, especially as you have all the way
across Paris at this early hour to see me-" Dr.
Combes is seventy years old; his hair, mustache
and imperial are white snow. but his bright
blush-gray eyes sparkle with intelligence and
he seemed as joyful and exuberant as a school,
boy about TO enjoy well earned holiday. When
we were seated the following conversation en-
sued:
Americans. DR.. Combes. have followed your
political administration with keen interest
Your policy toward the Vatican has been dis
cussed. praised and censured almost as keenlv
in America as in France. The mastery wav
in which you maintained the fighting discfplna
or the republican bloc and the inhexIbIe ner
sistency OF your parliamentary methods are
appreciated as widely in America as I'm France
but Americans have only scant knowledge Of
your domestic life"
Dr. coinbes replied: II suppose they think
am severe and unconEenial Till .- perhaps