Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1919-12-19

Ecrases, situated at the point where
the boulevard crosses at. right angles
the Rue and Faubourg Montmartre,
the Rue de Richelieu and the Rue
Drouot. there extends q sort of neu-
trail zone-the Boulevard Montmartre
which one might almost define as
the vestibule to the Boulevard des
Itaiiens. II was here. In the Passage
des Panoramas, that, in 1877. the ex-
pertinent OF lighting Paris by gas was
first attempted. The Boulevard Mont
martre has lost most Of its former
vogue; many of its famous cafes.
which formed part of the life of the
city, no longer exist. Brebant has
disappeared; the Cafe de Madrid,
which played an important part in the
political history Of the second em-
pire, and during the war was frequent-
ed by the most famous aces Of
French aviation--such as Fonck and
Nungesser when on leave--is beco Z
ing transformed.
The Cafe de Mulhouse has been re-
placed by the Musee Grevin, OF wax
work celebrity. The Theater des Vari-
etes, with. the columns of its old-fash-
toned portico. is a souvenir Of the past,
as we'll as is the Passage yerdeaI OF
which many people would surely for
| get the existence were they not forci-
bly, reminded Of it when showers
obligc them to seek refuge in that
haunt once so fashionable.
I'M. rt~r -.
beginning Of the true boulevard, which
privileged region spans the Place de
| rOpera TO the Madeleine church. On
the crowded sidewalks, rather OBJ
structed by the terraces of innumer-
able cafes. one meets "all kinds and
conditions of men" in that most demo-
cratic of all onglomerations-a
that most banal---a Partisan crowd.
Another Famed Thoroughfare.
The Boulevard tles Italiens was the
center of the brilliant, scandalous life
Of the late empire and early '30s.
There used to assemble at Tortoni's
at the Maison d'Or-now transformed
into a post ofiice--at the Cafe de
| Paris, those French dandies who
brought such laborious care TO the
imitation of the extravagances Of their
English models; at the corner Of the
| Rue Laffitte was situated the Cafe
.Hardig. the meeting place of the agi-
tators at the fall of the assignats and
which is celebrated as having been
! the first Partisan cafe where luncheoDs
were served "a la fourchette," that is.
where meat was served. The Cafe
Anglais on the opposite side of the
| boulevard was the most fashionable
restaurant of the second empire. 1t
was demolished recently, and Paris
sighed at the disappearance of anoth-
err Of its favorite haunts. The Pa
vilion de Hanoyre. facing the vaude-
vile theater. now shelters the shop of
prosperous sllversmith; but 1t is
of noble origin, having formerly be-
longeti to the duke Of Riehelieu, who
had, so runs the legend. built it with
! the product Of the golden and silver
lanrels he obtained by hook or by
crook during tn HsnoveSian war.
Hence the nickname which has ever
I since EPI1hlHhQ dAldGntu 10 lHE utdu-
| tiful and luxurious building.
The Boulevard des Capuclnes. which
starts from the Vaudeville and spans
the Place de rOpera, is always ex-
tremely animated with its numerous
hotels, clubs and shops. 1t belongs in
some sort to history, for il was from
the garden Of the Capucines (which
has disappeared ioag sinces that the
first pistol shot which transformed
the riot of 1eIS into a regular revo-
luton was FREQ,
Professions and corteges Of all
kinds. bath civil and military, peace
fuI. threatening or triumphant. have
through the centuries passed down
the bouleyards stamping history into
the very footway they followed. But
surely the old avenues never wit
messed more solemn or sy1nbolical
scene than the parade of the allied
troops. which, on the 18th Of July.
preceded by their glorious, tattered
banners, m;vobed down lhe boule-
wards toward the Place de la Re
publique.