Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1914-07-31
HEY are Americanizing the
Champs E1ysees.
Commercial houses crowd
the gala promenade of the two


the gala promenade of the two
empires. Hotels invade the
elysian fields.
The most famous avenue of Paris
where rich Americans of past genera
lions deemed it incumbent to rent
is being deserted by its old residence
population.
Historic mansions are transformed
to shops. Such is the most beautiful
of them all, the town house of the
Due de Morny, where Napoleon Ill
plotted his coup d'etat, and which
had it's secret entrance to the Jardin
Mabille. 1t Is now used by an art
dealer to show of and sell his wares.
Such Is the house of the notorious
Paiva, bijou palace which cost Ma
poleon III some three million dollars
to build and furnish. Situated in the
center of the Champs Elysees, the ar
tistic decorations OF its interior still
render it unique among the noble
buildings Of Paris. During the last
years of the second empire it was
the home Of the fascinating Marquise
de Paiya.
Turned Into a Club.
The Paiva house is now the Trav-
elers' club, which you can call Amer
lean, because its membership includes
half the foremost American men who
come to Paris. In the fabulous silver
bathroom of La Paiva, with its onyx
fittings, ruby decorations and oriental
mirrors, they can dream OF the vanity
of vanities. La Paiva died in Silesia,
in 1884, her last ten years having
been spent in piety and devotion.
She was Russian beauty of the
humblest origin. Her husband was a
little tailor. She came to Paris in
search Of work, and was introduced
to the literary and artistic aristocrats
Napoleon III loved her. A Spanish
nobleman, Marquis de Paiva, married
her. They lived in this little palace
which the emperor built for her, en-
tsrtaining gloriously. until, one day,
at the end of a dinner party, the mar
quis blew out his brains. Later, she
had to quit Paris hastily, under sus-
picion OF being a Russian spy. To
end her life in peace and charity, she
married Bismarck's cousin, the Graf
Won Donnersmarck, first governor Of
Alsace-
The Paiva house was typical Of the
Champs Elysees. but another was
moro 80.
Forty years from now, when Ameri-
can tourists will scarcely be able, 9TH
erwise. to distinguish the Champs
Niysses from Fifth avenue, tie sieh-
tesnth century two-4tory villa Of the
dukes Of Massa, In its little grova.
will remind them Of the gallant
tight OF a single old nobleman against
the characterization" of his beloved
avenue.
In his tomb the old duke win still
be lighting, and we shall admire him.
because Americans also love trees and
greenery and air and low-built uan-
sions that do not obstruct the sun
and old historic avenues that i've
beauty and interest to q city. II IL
not our fault II the Inevitable lox3o
of progress makes our name synony-
nous with its own.
Hands of my grove Of trees!. SAYS
the duke Of Massa In HIS grave. Dur
ing his lifetime he was offered $1,000
900 for the unique frontage occupied
by these wooded grounds and carved
stone villa, with their monumental
stabasa. at the corner Of the Rus dc
10 BoefaA NO." he said. As IN
her1ted tho place from my father. 70
] IN heaD Il What u monag n On.