The New York herald., 1921-07-24

There was much talk during the
first days of July about prolonging
the Paris season, and there was des-
perate effort made by the dancing
clubs and by those to whom the sea-
son meant bread and butter to offer
attractions enough to keep Partisan
society within the gates of the Trench
capital. The polo club. the golf club
at La Boulie. the country club at st.
Cloud, the Interallied Club and the
restaurants in the Bois arranged a
series of galas for every day In the
week so that each should not con-
flict with the other. But there is a
limit to physical endurance, to say
nothing of the contents of the pocket
book, so the majority Of the Parislans
to whom the season means a ceaselcss
round Of functions put AN end to the
prolongation talk by showing an erltpy
pocket and thus waving the white flag
they crawled into their shells or took
the first train they could find out o:
Paris.
They declared the day for fetes over
after July They enjoyed It well
enough while 1t lasted. but they were
glad when Il was over. The truth Is
that it was the pocketbook that could
not stand the pace. I heard more than
one bachelor Of prominence in French
society say he could not afford another
sou. l heard one man say that he had
figured his expenses In going to all Of
the various fetes, garden parties and
balls during the month of June and he
had discovered that he could not pos
sibly get out under a thousand francs
= -, IT,, y = tv,
attending the many functions and not
with any entertaining, such as giving
dinners or parties of any kind on his
own part He could not remain within
that figure and have more than one
guest for dinner at the Chateau de
Madrid or Pre- Catelan 6r any Of the
restaurants in the Bois.
This Is easy enough to believe The
table d'hote dinners at any OF the galas
in the Bois are 70 or 80 francs per per-
son without wine. Nothing but cham
pagne Is served. which should be
counted about 20 francs q quart and
some Of the restaurants refuse to serve
less than two bottles. and at the exclu-
sive midnight dancing houses, where no
food Is served. the price OF bottle OF
champagne Is usually 50 francs. That
means the food alone for a dinner for
two would be 800 francs. Then there Is
the 10 per cent. tax and the 10 per cent.
tip, which would bring the bill to 3S7
francs, without the numerous small tips
to the chasseur. the vestiaire. &c. Then.
IL the couple goes to dancing house
such as the "Perrouuet" or Aux Aca-
cias," after dinner, 200 francs can easily
be added and by the time the automo-
bile for the evening is paid for. to say
nothing of the expense of having clothes
for such occasions. 1000 francs day Is
by no means a big figure. There are
but few of the so called French society
who can afford thousand francs day
for their amusement for more than
month.
Tourists Departing.
OF course these clubs where the fetes
have been given and the restaurants In
the Bois have depended largely upon
the American clientele to make the sea-
son a success. During the month OF
June alone it looked on the surface as II
they were having a wonderful American
season, but the numbers have dropped
off to such an extent In these first days
of July that the proprietors are only
Just now beginning to admit that the
season on the whole Is not coming up to
their expectations. The tourists do not
weeks. They devote themselves to seeing
Paris and to shopping, and the old pre-
war American habitues of Paris follow
the example OF the French by leaving
Immediately after the Grand Prix for
the mountains or the seashore.
There are a few of the prominent
Americans. however, who are lingering
on to really enjoy Paris as the most
beautiful city In the world instead OF
breaking their necks to see It's artificial
side. but they are beginning to realize
that Paris has undergone frightful
change. Where Is the old chic OF
Parish" is the one question that is asked
among the women. and where arc tie
gayeties of Montmartre?" One sees only
Americans at the Hotel Ritz and they
sit about the garden at tea time and
watch longingly for the smart Parisienne
TO come and sip her tea, and when she
fails to appear they ask where so many
ordinary looking people have sprung
from.
The majority OF the Americans who
have come to pass the summer In Paris
are motoring to Deauvile for the week
ends to have q meal at the Inn of Will