The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-07-02
THE FAIRS or OLD PARIS.
The Precursors OF the Great Modern
ExpOSitlOnS.

b.,ween the two, but also much that's similar,
ouch as the specialization OF industries and
their classification according to the localities
If, which they originate. People came to
these fnirs from all parts of Europe Their
eyt,nction cnme about through the with
drswnl of long established privileges. larger
facilities of intercommunication. greater
,I,rusion Of manufacture and other reasons
due 20 changed conditions. Fairs in the
old days gave impulse to a commerce Just
emerging from infancy, as the expeditions
nj ,n-day encourage its gigantic extension.
Tho first fair of moment was that or Bezons
in the envrons of Paris. This was held on
rho first Sunday in September, The Parisians
attended II in crowds. There were no per-
manen, structures. but multitude OF tents
were set up under tho trees for the con-
yenonce of dealers in various articles and
shovmen Of all kinds
A. its close the inhabitants Of Paris were
accustomed to assemble at the end of Champs
Ilystcs 20 assist at the joyous return Of those
who had attended It, 1t was an immense
dnrlr OF individuals masked and clothed in
nil SORTS of Srotssque costumes.
In the seventeenth century the fair OF
s, divide was held on the Place vendome.
II rad its origin in 1885. when. the Duo de
Cr,,ili having given to the Capuchins the body
Of 81 divide. which had been presented
10 him by Pope Alexander VII. they es-
tsblished a feir about the monastery to profit
nv tho great crowds of the faithful seeking
70 obtain glimpse Of the holy relic. At this
fair we're tents, drinking shops and taverns
for rural visitors. Stalls were provided by
tho monks for the sale OF pastry, cakes
chIldren's toys and religious objects. From
their disposal they secured large returns.
In We the site of the fair OF st. Divide
was transferred to the Place Louis XIV, where
II remained until the wooden structures
which housed il were destroyed by fire five
Years later. This fair was par excellence
the rendezvous Of the plebeian population
If raris- The merry andrews tghtrope
dancers. exhibitors OF curiosities and
uountebanks selected II az a point Of con-
centration. II had also arstocratic fire.
uueuters, who visited it from motives Of
curiosity The fashionable haberdashers
uIlliners and coineurs used 1t to exhibit their
latest creations In i772 gigantic head
dresses called mont-au-ciel were shown on
lay figures They were hooted by the popu-
lace as an expression of growing dislike
Tor Marie Antoinette. their originator or
patroness.
The fair OF ST. Laurent was put in eclipse
nv that Of ST. German. The first was a
summer and the second winter one. The
first was held at one of the extremties of Paris,
In 1868 the priests OF st. LsAare who con-
troed it, made of it a small city surrounded
BY wall pierced by six gates. The streets
were paved anu suAueu Dy dCuCldS VIlu Hoi ST.
chestnut trees. In 1t was a pottery whose
products had very extensive patronage.
In 1873 the Duchess Of Cleveland exhibited
there and offered for sale her magnificent
collection of Chinese porcelains. They at
tracted great attention.
The rural and picturesque situation OF
St Laurent fair made of it favorte re-
sort of the peasantry as we'll as OF people of
moderate means. Varied and occasional
frnruprtar of IL grand SpiQneurS and
ladies'. men about town. pages Of the court,
students and lackeys who only went there as
impulse inspired. The character Of its ex
hibits was naturally adapted to its class OF
patrons. Notwithstanding this. its print
tive showings were gradually replaced ira
those of higher merit as the fair grew in i'm
portance and its assorted amusements at
tracted pleasure loving people. In time
perior shopkeepers opened establishments
within its enclosure. while exhibitions of
curiosties and wax figures. monkeys. trained
dogs, men without arms and strong women
allured great crowd Of idlers. In 1892 IT,
union Of the Opera COmioue and the Theatre
Francois established near the entrance Of
the st. Laurent fair gave fatal blow to its
prosperity.
The most advanced expression OF the old
Paris fair was found in that Of st, German.
1t was the epitome Of the union of business
and pleasure This fair was a dependence
OF the Abbey Of st. Gcrmain-des-Pres while
that Of ST Laurent was under the control of
the monks of St. Lazare. Although the
first was four centuries younger than the
last owing to its more central position. better
MANAGEMENT and its covered galleries. which
the incIemency 'S Of the weather, il practically
lnder Louis, 81. about 1883 the monks to
whom the privilege Of the fair had been given
four years previous had hsilt $40 stalls for
the sale and, exhibition of various articles
on GStobsr i and lasted, eight days. on
complaint, however. Of the nonlss, of St
ton was riyed at six weeks, Later this
capqhle Of prol9ngaton by special permission
Of the King. This was during. time when
t4e court aud its great following Of people
fair then consisted of two large covered
Structures in u court and multitude Of small
buildings completely surrounding them.
Daring the continuance of the fair. which
ras opened with great ceremony by the
pro&yoHt and Lieutenant General neral OF Police
OF the town vas in attendance. lndescrib-
able ,c9ninsion prevailed IN the narrow,
wa. tngessant coming and going Of horse;
IM.I with turned up mustnchrs and Plume,d
LIANT deshabille; soldiers with long, rapers.
IaGe> oi the court in search OF adventure,
Ia thieves, bessarsi oilers and women
"Hh"t rinaigrettes orertnrning sedan
chairs coarhmen swearing and flashing one
another with their whips. The confusion
and pushing OF the crowd gave rise to gro.
'"s ~" and sometimes tragic incidents. Add
10 this the ringing of bells. the sound Of flutes
and reed pipes. the blowing Of Whistles the
heating of drums and hlare of, trumpcts.
10" noise OF hammering. the cries of lost
children, shrieks of .pedlers, the Internal
murmur OF conI ersation, discussions. wrang
ling, battles of mousse uetaires attempting to
enter n show without paying, rus,ics yelling
stop thief, Young swells beating the guards
aud guards beating young swells and slight
idea may be formed of the prodigious din and
ta9gIc Of the fair OF st, Gernan
Daring the day the fair was mainly fire.
Nurnt"d by the rabble. but at night more
brilliant asScmblage visited it, After the
comedy or opera was the moment selected
by Ae nobility and grandes danes, and some
time, the King. TO appear and wander among
the rnarvels Of the show. Henry LII came
on several occasions. while Henry w. and
h- Queen never missed n single day. They
occupied lodge in which was placed q gam
Ing table. whore brelan was played con-
,nuously. In 1911. following the assassina-
ton of Henry w.. the fair was for time
suppressed. That merchants from Ger
many and Flanders should not suffer loss
from It's temporary closing, 1t was reopenGd
n the garden Of the Tuileres. There in the
llrht Of thousands Of torches. which trans