The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-07-17
FAIRS IF PARIS
 IN OLDEN TIMES They Were Precursors of the
 Modern Exposition TENTS UNDER THE TREES Early Fairs Were Held in the Country a Few Miles From Paris-They Were slnaularly Picturesque.
 Crowds Attended.
TENTS UNDER THE TREES
From the New York Sun.

times. There are nOlaDie olIIefenceb pc tween the two, but also much that Is sim liar. such as the specialization of indus tries and their classification according tt the localities in which they originate People come to these fairs from all part! of Europe Their extinction came abou through the withdrawal of long estab lished privileges, larger facilities of inter communication, greater diffusion of manu faeture and other reasons due to changed conditions. Fairs in the old days gave impulse to commerce just emerging from infancy, as the expositions of to. day encourage its gigantic extension.
 The first fair of moment was that oi Bezons in the environs of Paris This was held on the first Sunday in September The Parisians attended it In crowds There were no permanent structures, but a multitude of tents were set up un- der the trees for the convenience of dealers in various articles and showmen of all kinds.
 At it's close the inhabitants Of Paris were accustomed to assemble at the end of Champs Elysees to assist at the joyous return of those who had attended it. It
  masked and clothed in all sorts of gro- tesque costumes.
 In the seventeenth century the fair of St. Ovide was held on the Place Vendome. It had It's origin in l66o. when, the Due de Crequi having given to the Capuehins the body of St. Oyide. which had been presented to him by Pope Alexander Vll.' they established fair about the mon astery to profit by the great crowds of Il A-44 -l.ta rrttt A of the holy relic. At this fair were tents, drinking shops and taverns for rural vis- itors Stalls were provided by the monks for the sale of pastry, cakes, children s toys and religious objects. From their disposal they secured large returns
 In 1772 the site of the fair of St. ovide was transferred to the Place Louis XV., where it remained until the wooden structures which housed 1t were destroy ed by fire five years later. This fair was par excellence, the rendezvous of the ple- beian population of Paris. The merry andrews, tightrope dancers, exhibitors Of curIoslties and mountebanks selected it as a point of concentration. It had also aristocratic frequenters, who wished II from motives of curiosity. The fashion able haberdashers, milliners and coif- feurs used 1t to exhibit their laterest ere ations. In 1772 gigantic headdresses called mont-au-clel were shown on lay figures. They were hooted by the populace as an expression of growing dislike for Marie Antoinette, their originator or patroness.
 The fair of St. Laurent was put in eclipse bv that of St Germain. The first was summer and the Second winter one. The first was held at one of the extremities of Paris In 1863 the priests of St. La are, who controlled 1t, made of 1t small city surrounded by wall pierced by six gates. The streets were paved and shaded by acacias and horse- chestnut trees. In 1t was pottery whose products had very extensive patronage. Tn 1e7s the Duchess of Cleveland exhibit ed there and offered for sale her magni- ficent collection of Chinese poroelains. They attracted great attention.
 The rural and picturesque situation or st Laurent fair made of it favorite re- sort of the peasantry as well as or peopie of moderate means Varied and occasion al freauenters of 1t were grand seigneurs and ladies, men about town, pages or the court. students and lackeys who only went there as impulse inspired The char scter of it's exhibits was naturally adapt ed to its class of patrons. Notwithstand- ing this, It's primitive showings were gradually replaced by those of higher merit as the fair grew in importance gno its assorted amusements attracted pleas ure loving people. Tn time superior shop keepers opened establishments within us enclosure. while exhibitions of curiosities and wax figures. monkeys. trained dogs men without arms and strong women al lured A great crowd of idlers. In l16z the union of the Opera Comique and the Theatre Francais established near the en- trance of the St. Laurent fair gave ftal blow to it's prosperity
 The most advanced expression of tfe old Paris fair was found in that Of St Germain. It was the epitome of the union of business and pleasure This fair was dependence of the Abbey of St. Ger r,ain-des- Pres. while that of St. Laurent was under the control of the monks of St. I,azare. Although the first was four cen turies younger than the last. owing to its more central position. better manage ment and it's covered galleries whieh pro, tected shopkeepers and visitors against inc inclemency of the weather, its prac- tically extinguished its rival.
 finder Louis xT. about 14S6 the monks to whom the privilege o1 the fair hau been given four years previous hau puiis aAo stalls for the sale and exhibition or various articles of merchandise. The sbov then opened on October l and last ed eight days. On complaint, however, of inc monks of St. Denis, whose falr onened on the 9th of the same month tba+ of St Germain was set for February Tn 169O the limit of it's duration was fixed at six weeks. Later this was ex- tended to two and half months, cap able of prolongatlon by special permission of tho King. This was during time uben the court and it's great following of neonle of importance were residing in paris The fair then consisted of two large covered structures in court and a multitude of small buildings completely surrounding them.
 During the continuance or the fair which was opened with great ceremony by the Provost and Lieutenant General of Police of Paris, an immense crowd from every part of the town was in at taydonca Jndescribable confusion pre- vailed in the narrow, muddy lanes with shops on either side. There was inces- sant coming and going Of horsemen, with turned up nustaches and plumed hats; nainted women exhibiting their gallant deshabille. soldiers with long rapiers, na gee of the court in search of adven- ture. lackeys. thieves, beggars. idlers and women of the town: coaches locking wheels. cabs-called vinaigrettes-over- turning sedanchairs coachmen swearing and flashing one another with their whips. The confusion and pushing of the crowd gave rise to grotesaue and sometimes ira gic incidents. Add to this the ringing of bells, the sound of flutes and reed pipes, the blowing of whistles; the beat ing of drums and blare of trumpets the noise of hammering. the cries of lost chil- dren, shrieks of pedlers. the internal mur- mur of conversation, discussions. wrang- ling. battles of mosquetaires attempting to enter a show without paying. rystlcs yelling "stop thief" young swells beat ing the guards and guards beating young swells and slight idea may be formed .f tt,a prndi0fo11c din and faup1a of t1,.