The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-05-19
A arts Cafe

A arts Cafe
ny c. A RICHARDSON. II
For certain and very valid reasons
known to the church, the Maid Of Or
leans Nsnown as Joan Of Arc) has not
vet been canonized, but this matter is
only of comparatively recent agitation,
and did not particularly interest me n
half-score years ago. At the time and |.
place l am now thinking about, and of
which this sketch will briefly tell. felt {
some interest In Jeanne D'Arc's history,
partly because it was my daily habit to
pleasantly look out of the low windows
OF IN elegantly furnished room Of the
Grand Restaurant de Ia Poissonnerie
Anglaise," on Rue de Rivor, Et Place
Jeanne Dare. From my table and win
dow my eyes easily took in tho very
comely and artistic equestrian statue Of
the heroic maid. who CALAMITY bestrode |
Il small but finely modelled horse The
maid was surely and firmly mounted.
She looked quite heroic and warlike, and
not at all sanity. The proprietor, NJ.
Bruneaux, was very proud of the Grand
Restaurant de la 2oissonneric Anglaisc"
|
cafe on his printed business cards.
He had been told that English and Amer
lean travellers knew and liked the word
| restaurant best. Tho writer knew this
statement was not true; but In Paris, as
elsewhere. many things are untrue, and
will so remain.
:. NJ. BruneauX desired to cater to Eng
lish- speaking people who had money and
spent 1t freely. The restaurant" was
In, Ia, CIT
de Rlvoli. Eft Place Jeanne D'Arc. Tho
food and wine was good (hsh being a
speciality and well served; the dejeuners
at three francs were good, and the din
ners at five francs. wine included, were
better. You were expected IT. drink tho
bottle OF Win Ordinaire," but not re-
CURED TO do SO. You could order any
quality of wine your taste and purse
might suggest; neither NJ Bruneaux nor
the garcon would object-certninly not
tho garcon, who would naturally expect
a more liberal ''pourborie" from Gus
! toner whose means did not limit him to
Win Ordnaire.' The wealthy customIs
!. were quite numerous, yet the Win Ordl-
I naire' was 80 written in the bond, .
9 and must be always expected to be
present. either to DO used or refused
In my reminiscent moments how vvidly
9 I recall the Grand Restaurant" on Rue
: VIC h''oil, allQ M. foTuneauh seated on
Q the raised platform, or dais, containing
I the cashiers desk, contented monarch,
n wisely ruling. l often recall his genial
!. smile and courtly bow; his manners were
worthy Of the court of Louis XIV. also
: we'll remember the two bronze vases or
: urns some six inches In diameter and
: twelve inches In height, that ornamented
J. each side Of the cashiers desk These
! were the pourborie receptacles: one for
9 sous the other for half francs and occa-
II sionally francs. Each waiter took hi.
q "pourbore' to the cashier who deposited
n 1t In one OF the vases. where 1t helped
: to augment the general fund accumulated
n during the day. When the business O
&c the day was ended the contents of thu
Is urns were divided among the walters.
~ NJ. Bruneaux once told me. with con
siderable gusto. how the Prince Imperia
had honored his restaurant" by dlnint
% at certain table, In certain corner
10 with several congen!al chums from tn
% Quarter Latin. only few months be
30 fore he was jabbcd to death with q Zul,
spear. thus reaching his untimely end ii
SO 1ululand. This notable incident OF ex
IN allied patronage was often recalled as
IN red-letter day for tho walters and pour
L borles." Tho wise, contented ruler o
er the little realm often dwclt on tho hon
~ ornble event with much complacency an
some profit.
on After most enjoyable meal in such
T. delightful locality It was most plcasan
no to stroll out and admire tho colonnadc
n shops OF tho Rue dc Rlvol. all respler
r. dent with attractive snowy window
nd Ono did not mind being jostlcd about
ed tho gay and ever polite -throng of promo
o. naders and shoppers where all SCENE
ut, happy.
ty 1t did not matter II most things in IL
'rn gay capital were hollow and delusiv
on reminding one Of tho noted "dumm
If library" ut famous old Chatsworth, whe,
ed tho very finest and splendidIy boun
Tor voumes OF Shakespeare. Milton, Dant
Us only showed the remarkable skill OF Il
painter, his superb ability to lend h
OF art to deception.
S. Tho cafes Of Paris arc numerous; mar
ed OF them are peculiar: some are uni1,
tly (among these "Tho Dead Rat recent
ice much In evidence In n noted murd
RS triaD. Tho subject Of this memoranda
lon was only well and plcturesquely locate
for 1t was fairly representative OF tho be
old class It was conducted along plain bus
ness lines, Mother burdencd nor adorn,
ir- with too much OF the Frenchy elemer
mt but substantially elegant / was fir
~ attracted to It through kindly chivalro
W feelings for the memory OF Jeanne DAl
ese whom the church will yet canonlze,
'ier Some have claimed the heroic ma
Ter was only poor. deuded girl with
and bravo heart. who fanatcally courted
md cruel, heartless death. 1t may be S
avs embodied and represented In her pers
on Ignorance RELIGIOUS fnnuticism ma n
som triot!sm, all In accord with her pecui
son, environments and the period of her q
and and unique career, All strangely blend
ting with some romance and .nuch hero,sm
lous Among tho many delightful things
n'ly Paris that most kindly recall, there
That ono IN particular that Is dear to memo
NOT ono that often appealed to n suscepti
.une part Of my anatomy~-the Grand Rest
lish rant de la Po!ssonnerie Ang!alAe, Rue
hem RivOli, TT Place Jeanne Dare.
wed When In New York CITY and wish
out to DO reminded OF tho Paris cafe of
oeen Bruneaux tax my imagination SOL
eat what, and dine IN reminiscent mood
her lha Cnfe MartiN nnur IInlunrsiI, oil