The Washington herald., 1907-02-10

Correspondence Of The Washington Herald
Nice Feb IA few years ago I
thought that Nice was rapidly losing
popularity as a winter resort I find that
I was wrong. What has given it this
new lease of life, wonder2 Three
years ago the Promenade de5 Ansleis
was a bowling desert. and the villas to
let facing this delightful walk were legion
in number. How all has changed. The
sea front is crowded in the early morn
ms, and again between and + in the
afternoon. and it is a matter of diff
Guilty 10 approach the wonderful shops OF
the Quai de Massena.
OF course. most Of the visitors are Eng
lish and American. and of the latter there
are more than the ordinary crowd, for
Nice has become q favorite winter abid-
ing place with the fair daughters and
stalwart sons of Uncle Sam.
What has caused this changed state Of
affairs? am convinced that the muni-
ciDaliJy of Nice has pulled itself to-
gether and sought to make its beautiful
town more attractive than ever.
Already preparations are being made
for the arrival of King Carnival, and
great stands and pavilons are. in course
of construction in the Place de AIlssena;
but of this more anon.
one may ask: What is there TO do at
Nice? This is not difficult question 20
answer. for one apparently can do every
thing or nothing. It is a busy yet a
lazy place. Should one want to be up
and doing, opportunity presents itself
every moment and should one desire TO
dolcc-farnientise-to coin a word-weu,
one can sit about, listen TO music from
10 in the morning till midnight, and at
the same time enjoy delightful spring
weather, for at the present time it really
is spring weather out here.
Most people rise betimcs at Nice; the
bright sunshine fOrbds lolling in bed. II
is cheerful and sunny az o'clock in the
morning, and warm, too; but not in the
shade. and this must always be borne il
mind.
At the Flower Market.
One thing I always do at Nice and tina
IS TO pay a visit to the flower market
near the fine opera house. It is a sigh
not to be forgotten. for here in one Ion;
line sit hundreds of women with baskets
and stalls crammed full of the most love
" flowers, which they sell at a price tina
would make Covent Garden turn pal
with envy This year there has not beer
any great amount of frost. consequentI
you may buy great punches of pale pinl
or creamy yellow roses for a few francs
There are more carnations for sale thar
] ever remember seeing at Nice-fne lon
stallIed fellows Of sulphur yellow, bTigh
crimson. rosy pink, or flesh color. It
early yet for orange blossoms, but befor
long you viii be able to buy any guam
uty, and anemOnes, too of almost ever
shade. As for mimOsa, Roman hyacinths
and misnonette. they are almost give
away. 1 would advise those who wis
10 purchase flowers 10 go 10 the marke
early, for at noon bell rings, and tn
market is over for the day, and shortl
afterward there is not blossom to D
seen.
Music lovers will find much to attrac
them at Nice this season. There are car
ital concerts at the Casino. and also a
the Jetee Promenade, with fine orchestra
at both; semj-classical entertainment
take place at 10 o'clock. and in the aft
ernOon there are symphony concerts. I
addition to the Grand Opera House. tn
two Casinos have operate performance
every night Popular comedies, such a
lie VieuX Marcheur." 'Heureuse," an
La Duchesse des Folies- Bergere," n
being siven at the Municipal Casin,
while Fred" is attracting big houses
the Jetee Promenade.
The races at lie Var have brought eno1
nous crowds TO Nice. and ut the Gran
Prix / am told that at least 5000 Poop
were present. Among those who haN
contributed 10 make Nice gay is Il
Grand Duchess Anastasia Of Mecklel
burg-Schwerin. mother OF the Grow
Princess of Prussia, and Countess Torb
wife Of the Grand Duke Michael of Ru
sia. Mrs. Almeric Paget, nee Miss Viii
ney. of New York, is one of the leader
OF the American colony.
Several New Hotels.
Since 7 was here last year several ne
hotels have been added to the alreaC
formidable list The most attractive
the Royal. which is on the Promena,
des AngIais, and next TO the Hotel Yves
minister; it has fine frontage. and the
is a charming winter garden. too. Luis
the former popular manager OF the
viera Palace ut Monte Carlo. is ju
about to open another hotel at Nice; it
called the Hermitage, and judging
what I saw Of it, 1t should prove q fiji
and attractive hotel
There is far more gambling at III
r1qu-.fTav-e than there used h