New-York tribune., 1909-10-09
THE HOLIDAY CITY
4 GlOrifed Guide Book by Mr. E. Y.
Lucas.

Insfrated 12mo FP $50 S The Macmillan milan
Company.
The holiday city!-the city which gives 10 all
mankind brimming cup of interest and pleas
ure-this is she who is painted to the life in Mr..
Lucas's delightful book. He pictures all the
brightness and charm Of modern Paris-and
some of her drawbacks; but he dwells also upon
those remnants of Old Paris which for the trav-
eller susceptible to the spells of history of lit
erature and of the human interest" mean a
fascinating excursion into the past. At the very
outset of his holiday visits he goes first to the
Compass dor, in the Rue Montorgueil an ancient
inn, whose courtyard. under its great wooden
hanger, takes the instant into romance
Of Dumas. Now, as at the beginning Of the six
teenth century, a coach runs thence every day
10 Dreux. Time has stood still there" says
Mr.. Lucas: there is nothing else in Paris like
il" His notes on the Marais. that region Of old
palaces, packed with historical associations. are
entertaining albeit they have been shortened by
the publication of the scheme for a modern rem
ovation at the cost of S160OOOOOO The news of
that scheme acted like "a dOuche Of iced water
upon our author, and he urges his readers to
see for themselves those narrow. crooked streets
and those old houses of romantic aspect before
they fall before the advance Of modern needs
We may hope that Nine de S6vigne's splendid
of the Carnavalet. ii has become the historical
museum of the city of Paris The beautiful old
palace Of the De Guise family. which since the
Revolution has been the property of the state
may also be spared the depository of the
archives and, the home of the government
printing works, the Cardinal de Rohan's ex-
quisite hotel may survive in the heart of a dis
trict which will speak hereafter not Of the
tragic and romantic days departed, but Of the
brightness, airiness and health Of the new CITY
/ of Light.
Mr.. Lucas has pleasant a fashion of apt
quotation that do not grudge the space
; which he devOtes to extracts from CarlyIe's
French Revolution; and many a sightseer
will be grateful for the familiar gossip about
I the treasures Of the Louvre-gossip which agree
ably supplements the lists of the invaluable
Baedeker. Indeed, Mr.. Lucas has furnished a
perfect companion in many partic liars for the
ingenious Leipziger. His chat about the wavs
Of Paris and Parisians is as amusing as il is
Illuminating. 1t is usually good natured and
discerning. He loves his Paris "A little an
pd'tcmCHt overlooking the Pare Monceau" he
eXclaims, there is tangible heaven il YOU
like Most saUnterers viii agree with him as
they remember that delicious little nook Of
trees and flowers, of white Corinthian columns
ana cleaning waters. Yet, as he goes on to
compare life in Paris and London, so far as the
EnSlishman is concerned. hts mood changes
Much as he likes the French city he would
make almost any sacrifice rather than he forced
10 live there" Each city is the best for it's
own native. he owns, each has its advantages
and its limitations. He laments the French TO-
bacco monopoly, the expensive matches which
won't light the sugar which isn't sweet. the
billiard tables without pockets 1t is on the
question Of the concierge that he is most en-
phatic:
London may be in darkness for most Of the
Winter winIsr an, and be raned upon by SCOT all the year
his own house or fiat and not the cringing victim
Of concierge, as every Partisan is That is some
thing 10 remember and be thankful for Paris has
an atmosphere. and a climate. and good food and
the kerb and no petty licensing tyranniee and
the Champs Elysees, and immunity from lurid
Winged Victory and Monna Lisa. but it also has
ne me GDIGifIse A. inr entrance to every house is
man shape Of Cerherus and the Recording Angel
more ceriousj the time YOU come in; what letters
and parcels YOU receive; what visitors and how
worst OF il is tba, sipse the cnni a,l aIN 3md ne
door and dominates the house you must put good
face on il or YOU viii lose very heavily ScoyI al
ment: letters will be lost. parcels viii be DELAYED.
visitors VIII be told YOU are at home, a thousand
is a rod which you viii observe is well to kiss
The wise Partisan. therefore, is always amabIe /
the whole system at the devil
thus conscious Of certain Uf the defects ana virtues
OF ea'ol nation. have no belief whatever in anv |
large Interchange Of characteristics being possibIa
Nations, think. borrow very little from each /
other. What the goose is h, no means /
necessarily sauce for the ole, the meat Of an
homme can easily be the poison Of a man.
The author does not make the mistake Of TAX
ing the restless Paris crowds for the French |
people They are the fringe the froth he says |
The real people the industrious. energetic
level headed. cheerful sohs who do the real |
work Of the country. He believes that the idea |
that the French the most intelligent of /
races Is 81 iallacY. He admits that French con-
Fefsaton, even among the humblcst is better |
IMAM English conversation under similar and
iof more favorable conditions" the French /
iahRuage lending Itself To cpigrammatic eE- |
preston: but he sees ia this no mark Of rc4I /
'h'"ilieehce. Present idea 10 an ordi- |
nary Frenehman and he can be as stupid as a |
Sussex farm laborer" II is amusing 10 note |
that Mr. Lucas sapiently pronounces II to he |
inc same with America. Just as the French /
language imposes wit on its user. So is everv