The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-05-19
CALF ORN|A MAN MAY BUY VINEYARD Red Tape in French Real
 Estate Buying NOTARY VERY STRICT Americans Seen in Paris Society. Scientist Says Sugar Is Best Diet for Airmen-Many Thieves
 on Trains
By PAUL VILLIERS

Paris May 19.--(Special) )-The name of well known California millionaire is mentioned in connection with the recent sale of the famous Burgundy vineyard of Romanee-C Contin. When the vineyard was first offered at vasnee-Romanee the re- serve price of F35O,o0O (s6S,0OO) was not reached in the bidding. M. M. Gaudin de villaine and Chambon, two of the seven proprietors, then made private purchase, acting, 1t is understood, for an American millionaire who is extensively interested in California vineyards. His name and the price paid are both withheld.
 The Romance vineyard derives it's name from the Roman settlers, who first saw it's advantages. For several centuries it belonged to the monks of Cteaux, by whom a portion of 1t was sold to the Princely House of Cont, who added their name to it's designation In 1886 phys ician of Louis XIV prescribed Romance Cont wine to the conValescent Grand Monarque instead of champagne, which was his usual beverage. When the wine came into vogue the grateful inhabitants Of the neighboring winedressers' village, Ntdts-Saint-G Georges, named one of their streets after the physician Diafoirus. Af- ter the revolution the vineyard was con VI. whom it passed to the ancestors of the present proprietors. Burgundy vineyards have recently, especially the year before last, suffered terrible havoc from mill dew.
 It is no easy matter to acquire real property in France if you are married and a citizen of the United States. An amusing story was told within the last five days by Colorado gentleman whose few days by Colorado gentleman whose outskirts of Paris and now owns the villa after an enlightening experience with the French notaries. The property was sold very reasonably, but then came the signing of papers. The husband thought he had nothing to do but write his check and put his name in the conveyance. You are married?" questioned the notary. The Colorado gentleman said he hoped so as his wife was sitting near him anxious to get through with the business and drive out to the Bois. "She must sign, too,' said the Parlsian lawyer.
 The lady drew off her gloves and took the pen in hand "One moment,' con tinped the notary. "I do not yet know that you can sign. You must bring me certificate from an American lawyer in Paris saying that wife is free in your state to sign with her husband ''They | drove way-much annoyed, hunted up an | American legal friend and got the neces- |
 
 tfis little formalty, cost F50 is always insisted upon" Lex loci" Buying or sell l irg, 1t IS all the same. The notary of France are strictness personifed.
 No longer can it he said that ''art stopped short at the cultivated court of the Empress Josephine Two contro- Sfersies lare raging in the Paris art journals sad the art columns of the newspapers, the authenticy of the Gainsborough sketch for the Blue Boy and the new style in portriature introduced by our own Ameri- can Romney's and Lawrences. The ease and naturalness of the American mood are praised, but Paris does not spare criticism Lnadorned treatment of facial flesh in the particular portrait, that of a lady who ie somewhat of a figure in our best sa- loons. The lady, herself, is indignant at the notoriety given her puckered irown. which the artist caught to the life. If she could have her way the portrait would be removed from its place in the gallery, where it attracts crowds of critics daily. The artist defends his work. which he may we'll do. It is in every sense a remarkable painting, looking out of the frame like the live woman from whom it was given to the canvas.
 .f Travellers cannot be too much on their guard against thieves, who take advantage of moments inattention to lay hands on bags which have been placed on the seats of railroad trains. Count Tanezan- sAlns, he Austrian military attache. was seeing his children off for Vienna at the Care de l'Est, and was chatting with them on the platform after having se- cured their places in a first-class com partment when the governess, who had re-entered the carriage, informed him that a bag which he had deposited on the seat had disappeared The Count at once reported the loss to a couple of inspec- tors, who proceeded to search the train. Finally they discovered the missing bag in the possession of an old Romanian subject, who was installed in a third-class compartment, and who. when searched, was found to have the sum of 400 kronen on him. This Is but one out of many similar experiences, and the audacity dis played by these train thieves knows no bounds.