The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-09-14


As the President never rides in anything
except a motor car, he had no use for the
horses or the outrider. He thus effected
a considerable economy in his household
budget, but it was one that none but
a highly popular man could have at
tempted.
Another point on which Poincare has
dared to differ from his predecessors is
his determination to abolish the official
shooting parties at Rambouillet He is
great lover of animals. and has an Orien-
tai dislike of shedding blood, even of the
humblest creature He has cat at the
Elysee called Girls Girls of which he is
passionately fond Here is his own de-
scription of his pet: Girls Girls has a
strange and complex personality. He is
voluptuous and greedy, perfidious and
cunning, obstinate, ferocious and tyran-
meal. These are all defects. but he makes
them seem qualities. He is a witty and
facetious animal and is never embar-
rassed When he is in difficulty he al
ways finds the best way out of it, and
this way is invariably graceful and pop
ular''
NJ. Poincare has a warm heart hidden
under a somewhat cold exterior and is
very fond of children. He invited the
officers of his household to dinner a few
days ago and sent for all their children
afterwards. When the youngsters ar
rived they were delighted to see that
splendid moving picture show had been
arranged for them by the thoughtful
President. He paid a surprise visit to the
Childrens hospital In the Rue lie Maistfe
last week and brought doll for every
little girl and toy for each boy. When
all the baskets of dolls had been emptied
of their contents to the great joy of the
little sufferers, one poor, fearful little
girl was still without doll. Leaving the
astonished attendants waiting, Poincare
hurried to the door, jumped into his car
and drove at full speed to the nearest
toy shop. Ten minutes afterwards he
returned with the biggest doll in the es-
tablshment The little girl wept again.
but this time it was for joy.
These visits are pleasant distractions in
the presidents busy day. When he has
the Presidents busy day. When he has
and afterwards spends an hour with her
in the drawing room. Madame Poincare
is an excellent pianist and sings quite as
we'll as many professionals. She was born
in Italy and prefers to sing in the Ian
guage of her country, but she is equally
at home in French. At 10 o'clock her
husband returns to his study and starts
to work again, but the last two hours of
his day are devoted to study. Although
his knowledge is almost encyclopaedia he
IN
keep his brain from getting rusty he
says. He is at present reading Green's s
History of the English People His re-
cent visit to England made a great inn
preston on him, and he is anxious to get
deeper insight into the character of
these friends of France.
Although he is good-natured and unos-
tentatious, Poincare is not lacking in
firmness and dignity. When he heard
that the mayors of Limoges Toulon and
Toulouse had 'onicially'' refused to re-
celve him with due civic honors. he re-
Piled:
THE President of the republic is at
home everywhere in France and can dis
pense with the hospitality of a mayor.
The officers of my household will proceed
to these three towns and make all nee
essary arrangements without the help of
the municipality
He can always be relied upon to act
with scrupulous fairness and justice, and
this is quality which has endeared him
to all those who serve under him. He is
above ALL faithful friend and his rise to
power has made no change in his early
affections.
IIis training as an advocate has made
him ready speaker, but this is not the
only secret of those little masterpieces of
oratory which seem to spring from his