The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-06-06
MEMORIES OF MIME. DeSTAEL Paris May Have a Monu- ment for Her. THE FRENCH LABOR TROUBLES Government Has Adopted Firm
 Policy. All the Discontented Elements in France Seem to Have United to Foment Trouble For The
 Present Government.
 
HE FRENCH LABOR TROUBLES
BY A. W. L,AMoUREUx.

Paris, June 5.---rhe proposal to erect a monument to Mime. de stael In this city brings back to ones mind Bouil- ly's wondeful description of the wo- man who was so prominent both at the court of Louis XVI. and at that of the Directory. She was about thirty two when he wrote his, character sketch sf her, was neither imposing nor pleasing, but had Fan eager, all most ravenous expression in the eyes, and something masculine and assured in her countenance. Her lips were dry and arid, her movements and ges- lures imperious: her voice was sonor- ous, and har utterance rapid and ener- getic." She, gave him the idea, he adds, "of creative genius taking the form of eoman destitute of beauty" It is said that she loved nothing bet ter than to place herself beside Mme. Recamier, thinking that his beauty made the best foil to her own bril- liant wit and expressive countenance.
 Madame de Stael was the lioness of the London season when, banished by Napoleon, she sought refuge in Eng land. During portion of her stay she lived on Richmond Hill, the view from which she characterized as
 
 ct ce qui je ne. suis pas" Madame de Stael's publishe impressions of Eng land reveal a poor opinion of English conversation, Lord Dudley being the only man she met who talked to her approval Hookham Frere. however, uttered a witticism in her presence. though not In her hearing. T should like to be married in English" she declared once, "in a language in which Cal lr 0VVhnt language was she married inT mur- mured some one on the outer fringe of her circle of admirers Broken English, suppose" answered Frere.
 The importance of the present labor troubles in France lies not so much in the strength of those workers who are before the public eye as in their significance as an index to the trend of mind of the French working class es. The last postoff1ce strike was, in- deed, the herald of the break up of auth ority, and those best acquainted with France feel that it is perhaps the first stage towards that abyss of a general strike" Into which the social- ists and labor leaders have been fore ing the propertied classes to gaze for many years past. The stronghold Of the employing classes. threatened by direction and the strike of folded arms" has hitherto been safeguarded by the army and the cohorts of civil functionaries Against the sindustrial workers appeal has always been made Co the. serriedx ranks, of goyeEpment 1fnciaiR.l snlsoe oehly o6Ensdbpress- ing revolt, but also of carrying on the administrative functions of the nation. Yet in the revolt of the postal work CTS and the school teachers. in their olaim to the behefitG of the trade un- ion law of 1884, with It's right to form ''striking" syndicates. in their open as- sertion of solidarity with the indus trial population, and their desire to ioin the general confederation of la- Dor, are the prominent signs of the break up of that close preserve of sep arate interests which 1t has been the endeavor of all recent French govern nents to maintain. ..,