The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-10-19

/ and that of Paris is bright and smiling to-
day. There is activity in business and
building affairs. There is confidence in
every quarter, and the vigorous spirit of
the French people is available in their
capital as it has ever been in earlier
times. The city is more beautiful than it
was. The streets are well kept. Water
often runs in their channels at their edges
and, even in the midst of the busiest traf-
fic the derterous rider of a motor tricycle.,
with a revolving brush and a hopper be-
hind him, may be seen circling to and fro
among the moving vehicles sweeping up
the horse-manure from the surface.
But great deal has yet to be done for
the betterment of Paris, the place is still
a long way behind London in the provision
of sanitary requirements and conveniences
such as we are accustomed to, though the
reproach is beginning to be removed. The
public buildings and many others are still
disfigured with the monstrous device,
Defense dafficher," which a wise pro-
vision for summary procedure against un-
licensed bill-posters would render unnec-
cessary The theatres of Paris which pro-
vide inspiration for London managers,
are with few exceptions, inferior to our
own structurally, and some people think
they can discern a change in public taste
and that Parisians are no longer so de-
voted to drama as they formerly were.
Inc same Influences are QOuDIleSS at WOrk
as at home.
Partisan Crowd Good Humored
The Partisan crowd is proverbially
good humored, save in times of political
passion, and there is at present no sign
of excitement.
1t is a study in health gaiety and good
humor to witness crowd on Sunday
afternoon threading labyrinth of ratings
on a narrow space by the river, in their
patient progress to reach a boat which
will carry them to Meudon or Saint Cloud
and arrived there to witness their cheer
full and orderly enjoyment of the brief
holiday. For the Partisan is long work
er. For him there is no compulsory week.
ly half-holiday or Saturday afternoon, and
If he be laborer engaged in public
work Sunday will often find him busy.
Not that there is any actual failure to
observe Sunday, for the churches are fill
ed from an early hour, and, indeed, on
weekdays you will never find them with
out worshippers.
The true Partisan is as great lover of
the rod and line as ever. and on Sunday
he takes toll of the Seine. His dog too
is his constant companion. The concierge
and his wife. on these warm summer even
ings still bring out their chairs from the
court to the street to gossip with their
neighbors. If extravaganza and luxury
are common with some of the richer
classes, thriftness is still characteristic of
the bourgeoise The wants of the poor
are few and it is astonishing how cheaply
they can live They buy fruits and vege-
tables at barrows In the streets, and the
thrifty housewife, the bonne, and often
the clerk and the shopman. often obtain
their supplies from the vendors by the
wayside. In short, life seems easier to
the poor in Paris than in London. Their
requirements are fewer, and, though their
hours of work are longer their rewards
much smaller, they do not seem any the
less happy or content. The old Paris has
gone, and there is coming a Paris that is
new, but here are the same good Paris
ians, Industrious. thrifty and light-hearted
as of old.