The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1920-03-04

extend for length of four kilO-
meters and a half from the
Madeleine to the Bastille in a
semi.circumference, are the rendezvous
NJ the world; a picturesque crowd,
composed of the most heterogeneous
types of humanity, promenades cease
,essly the wide sidewalks, where the
terraces of innumerable cafes lend an
air of good-humored if rather vulgar
familiarity to the whole scene.
The Paris boulevards may be said
10 have originated in the deep muddy
trenches which were hastily dug
around the city in 1886, to repulse
the much dreaded attacks Of the Eng
fish who, having devastated Picardy,
were now threatening the capital, says
the Christian Science Monitor. The
first trees were planted in 1888, and
have been continually replaced since
then, although they have not ceased to
struggle bravely TO live and thrive in
spite Of the scarcity of light, air, and
sun.
Entrance to the Boulevards.
The starting point of the boule-
Yards can be located at the Bastille ;
before the eighteenth century they be-
ean at the entrance of the Rue st.
Antoine, so that the attention Of the
stranger who entered Paris by the
Porte st. Antoine was at once at
tracted by the looming mass Of the
state prison, and by the beautiful resi-
dence of Beaumarchais, which played
q part in the Revolutionary drama.
One soon reaches the Boulevard du
Temple, today so calm, and essential
y commercial with its numerous
baker, butcher, and grocer shops.
Once upon a time, however, and not so
very long ago, 1t was called "the beau
tful boulevard" for 1t was then the
favorite meeting place Of courtiers
and rich bourgeois of the 'Tout Paris, "
which even then was docile in obey
Ing the dictates of fashion. Innumer-
able theaters and shows lined both
sides Of the roadway, giving the boule-
yard the appearance Of a perpetual
fair In which a gay, laughing crowd
paused to listen to the songs Of Cole
and Piron-sung by the lovely Fan
ehon Ia veilleuse-and amused itself
with the antics Of Nicolet's extraor-
binary monkey.
After the Place de La Republique
has been safely crossed, one saunters
up the Boulevard st. Martin, the road
way of which Is encased between high
sidewalks reached by mounting sew
eal steps. 1t extends to the Porte
st. Martin, erected In 1874 by the
municipal corps Of Paris to the glory
Of Louis XIV. At nightfall the Boule-
ward st. Martin acquires a certain ami
nation when the public presses
around the doors of the Ambigu
Conique. the Renaissance and the
Porte st. Martin theaters. The Porte
st. Martin was built In 80 days by Lee
moline, at the end Of the reign OF
Louis XVI, to serve as a temporary
opera house.
But the sidewalks suddenly cease
70 be terraced and slope gently down.
ward until they reach their normal
height, and the noisy Boulevard st.
Denis extends between the two monu-
mental gateways, the beautiful bas-
eiiefs Of which remind the passerby
OF the taking Of Limburg and the de-
ieat OF the Germans, as well as of the
passing Of the Rhine and the taking
Of the provinces by Louis XIv-ex-
piolts Of which the "Sun King was
Justly proud. II must be remarked
uat the escutcheon of the Porte st.
penls with its fieur-de-lys is the only
royh emblem which was respected
" The Revolution Of 1S4S.
landmarks Along the Way.
Inc Boulevard Bonnie Nouvelle has
preserved a number Of old-fashioned
aouses presenting a strong contrast
" me modern construction, which has
considerably spoiled the charm Of the
va ooulevards SO essentially Partisan.
.sons the aggressive stores, which
Weupy whole block. one can still
picturesque corner distinctly
mlniscent Of old Paris; the angle
ne dark old Rue de la Lune, where
, exists famous pastry shop, "A
nommee de in Brioche," in which
more than a century, Parisians
I've eaten the famous cake. The
snnase theater, a few steps farther
,A' was built IN the early part of
~ iast century and is still one Of
most fashionable theaters Of