The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1907-02-05

Beauty ana Dress of the Women
and the Wei GrOOmed Appearance
az the Men-Pieasurc the God and
sensual Ideals Grip the Whole Peo-
Dle-Drinkcrs Sit Before the Cafes
Nand Watch the T~hrongs and the
I1GrOngS Watch the Drinkers
Money Must Run Liz Water.
Once again ] am in gay and gaudy
Paris. one visit calls for another.
There is something about the Old
place hat attracts. But / was not
attracted here this timh~somebody
else was and | had to come along.
10 the women this town has a pecu-
liar interest, and it is out of the
question for Il man accompanied by
his wife 10 pass through France and
cut out Paris. From their early girl
hood they nave been hearing and read
ing about it, and have seen in their
fashion journals the pretty bonnet
and lovely gowns made here. The very
name Of the city has become dear to
their hearts. Let them come and see
it. | wish that every woman and girl
in the IN could pay it a visit, for il
is the Mecca To which every lady en-
joys a pilgrimage. 1t is the home of
fashion, ana the earthly paradise Of
the dear creatures. And this is a good
time for them to see it, for the holi-
day goods are on exhibition and the
show windows and shops are full Of
charming Christmas things. The sights
are exceedingly pleasing to the eye
and hurtful to the pocket book. Every
thing that can appeal to the taste or
tempt the appetite is to be seen;
everything that can crafty the love
Of display is here. The city has on
its best -OkS and it looks we'll. The
streets and bOulevardS are lined and
rowde with raiders and sight-seers,
many Of whom are themselves beau
tiful sights. If it be lawful for a
married man to say SO, this depo-
tent would further aver that the Wo-
men Of Paris are pretty. just how
much their fine dressing adds to their
natural beauty / am unable to say.
But tlcy certainly know how to dress.
They have reduced to perfection the
art Of harmonizing colors, and, like
the skillful painter. they have made
art surpaSS nature. From head to foot
their rainment is faultless- The fit
is perfect and the figure shown. They
cary themselves we'll and their step
is elastic. Like everything else in
Paris, they move right alOng-except
while gazing in the ShOW windows.
Neither winters weather nor the foul
streets can deter them from going on
'dress parade" But they know how to
protect their dress from the SluSll.
They do not hesitate to interpose am
pie distance betWeen the slush and
their costly skirts-regardless of con-
sequences. But nobody knows any
body and why should somebody care?
As the Paris beauty advances in years
She takes up the battle with 9th faith
er Time and strives to- conceal the
ravageS which she cannot stay. She
resorts to the free use of cosmetics
and every other devise known to her
sex to discount her years. She is
ln3th IN GIlit tIhp carnat' and fights
to remain on it. And, by reason of
her talent in deceiving the observers
eye, she still looks well. In fact, L
have seen but one real homely look
ing woman in Paris, but she brought
down the average Of Partisan beau
ty enormously. She was so ugly that
it gave one the heartburn to look
at her. But I do not wish to be unjust
to the ladies in the matter of love Of
fine dress. Fashion is a thing that is
contagious and the men have caught
it. too. AS a rule the gentlemen here
wear high class, stylish goods. and
look we'll. SO strong is the contagion
of style that l came near falling a
victim to it. My ancient sporting
propensity threatened to reassert itself
but a few enquiries about prices
were sufficient to put me to longing
fO~ the simple life.
But with these fellows money is
no object. They part with this lucre
Ike llOlDuS1DIeuS lash Is 1t there J
means of procuring comforts and
pleasuers: the amount is unimportant.
There Will be plenty of money here
when they are gone, why count the
cost? After all, are they not wiser
than the fellow whose stingy soul will
not allow him to spend at all? This
is the only world the Partisan sports
are thinking about. and in riotous liv-
ing they are very prodigals.
Eat, drink and be merry is the very
essence of French philosophy. That
the French people drink a great deal
is we'll known. Statistics show it and
any one here can see it. Their bever-
age is wine; they drink but little beer.
No effort is made to cOnceal their
drinking. The amen-corner brother
does not get behind the door, but in
front of the cafe on the sidewalk. They
prefer the outside because they can
look at the passersby while they drink.
At this time of the year the proprietors
have little stoves on the sidewalks
among the tables and chairs. The
French drink leisurely and don't gulp
it down like the American. Neither do
they get drunk. l have never seen q
man stagger in France Getting ION
Il spree or Ion a bender" appears to
be peculiarly American. Our fellows
don seem to be able to put on brakes.
The Frenchman devotes much of his
time t drinking-early. often and
late. 1t is a habit with him. But,
"hile these men do not get drunk,
their habitual use of intoXicants
keeps up the unnatural beat of the
h@art and undoubtedly Shortens
their days. In no other way can L
account for so few old men, and l
have made it a point to look out for
them.
TIE people of Paris may not live
50 long as they should, yet they live
well. Their manner of life is con-
ducive to good digestion. They look
healthy and are apparently happy.
Thy love good food. They have
some strange dishes but they are
delicious. They are very fond CT
vegetables and ave a great variety
f them. Among so many new
kinds Of vegetables I was pleased to
SOC 81 old acquaintance, the regular,
old fi>hion pumpkin. And I'm not
COINS back on my raising, ever in
Paris l miss another old American
luxury. corn bread. Everybody eats
bakers bread, but it is not cooked in
loaves. 1t is cooked in long, small
rolls three to four feet long and is
nearly all crust. A hungry person
can easily eat two yards of it. Game
is a popular meat, especially fowls.
Beef is not SO popular and swine has
c-. M --l