The New York herald., 1922-06-25

HERALD
Paris, June IA.
THERE are social activities in the
French capital now to please
every taste. The gala nights
at all the restaurants in the Bois de
Bologne are thronged with Americans,
and American dancers, and American
music have such a strong hold on the
pnblic that the only topic of conver-
sation these days is the influx of
americans"
n Early in the season it was an
bounced that there would be no exhi-
bition dancing at any of the fashion
able restaurants. owing to the fact
that the Government would require
them to pay the tax of the theaters.
or any place of amusement, and this
rew tax would be more than they
could carry.
With American dancers such as
Jenny Dolly of the Dolly Sisters"
and her partner, Clifton Webb, how
ever. opening a midnight dancing
house, the Acacias, competition became
they have been more or less forced to
take on dancers. There are American
dancers now at all of the chief dining
places in the Bois.
The Ermitage inaugurated its Thurs
Cay night galas this week completing a
chain of amusenents so, if one tries to
see all of them, there would be few eve
nings passed out of the Bois. Jack Gavin
Ind Miss June Day are the dancers al
the Ermitage. Miss Irene Castle, who
was the first of the American ballroom
dancers to feature dances in the restau-
rants in Paris before the war, and her
partner. William Reardon, are the stars
at the Friday night fetes at Pre- Catelar
ahd will dance for the next two weeks
throughout the racing season at Arme-
nonville. Miss Leonora Hughes and
Maurice are the dancers at the Satur-
day night fetes at the Chateau de Mad
lid, and with every night a fete at the
.Acacias with Jenny Dolly. IL is not sur
prising that the French talk constantly
Of the influx of American dancers.
Prices of Food Higher.
And with the return of the exhibition
dancers, the prices of food at such res
taurants has gone beyond all reason.
but the bills are paid and the fete goes
merrily on. After all, 100 francs for a
bottle of champagne seems nothing to
those who are accustomed to having no
wine at all, and they should be only too
glad to pay the tax for the privilege of
having 1t. At least that is the French
way Of reasoning about it When tho
various details of taxation are studied.
the American, who feels inclined to COM
Plain, is beginning to realize that the
restaurants should not be blamed for
the increased prices.
There is first a tax of 10 per cent. on
the total figures of the amount of busi-
hess done. Then there is tax of 25 per
cent on all restaurants which keep their
doors open after 10 o'clock. From 5 to
10 o'clock there is tax for an orchestra
Of four musicians of 1000 francs a
month. Then there is the "Droits
d'Auteur" of 1.500 francs month. On
all champagnes there Is a take de luxe
of 10 per cent, and on wines which
cost more than five francs bottle there
is 10 per cent. tax. and all alcohols
are taxed 25 per cent. With the addi-
tional tax for having exhibition dancers
IS per cent, the restaurants feel that
tney are being very badly treated, but
they are rapidly discovering that Amer
leans want to drink champagne and
dance at all costs and with the early
summer weather in their favor, they are
not wearing the gloomy faces of April
when the season seemed doubtful.
Notwithstanding all these fetes, pri-
vate dinner parties have been numerous
during the last week Mr.. and Mrs.
John r. Drexel opened the week with a
brilliant dinner in the private ballroom
Duchess George of Russia, who is the
guest in Paris of her brother and sis
ter-in-law, the Prince and Princess
CHRISTOPHER of George
The Grand Duchess is the mother of
the Princess Xenia, who was married
to young William B. Leeds. The Grand
Due Cyrille of Russia and the Prince
and Princess Christopher also were
guests of honor at the dinner. and others
present were: Marquis and Marquise
Sommi Piccenardi (she was Mrs.
Blanche vogel. nee SeigeD Comte and
Comtesse Arthur de Gabriac (Fanny
Fithian), Comte and Comtesse Andre
de Limur (nee Crocker), Comte and
Comtesse de Beaumont. Mr.. and Mrs.
James w. Gerard. Gen. and Mrs. Charles
II. Sheriff.. Mr.. and Mrs. John Ridgeley
Carter, Mr.. and Mrs. Henry S. Lehr,
Nine Henry de Sincay (Mary Louise Lo-
gan). Vicomtesse de Petiteville, Vicom-
tesse dOrigny Mrs. Lucie Work Hewitt,
Marquis de La Gandara. Sir Ian NAL
colin. Col. Hawes and Mr.. William Hude
Nelson.
Give Second Dinner Party.
MT. and Mrs. Drexel gave a second
dinner party few nights later, which
was equally brilliant. when their guests
included the Due and Duchesse de BIZ
saccia. Marquis and Marquise de
Noailles, Comte and Comtesse Bertrand
@Aramon. Mr.. Anthony j. Drexel,
comte Georges de Montesquieu, Com
tesse du Bourg de Bozas, Mr.. and Mrs.
Hugh Campbell Wallace, Baronne Roger,
Mme. Normand, Col. Vivian, Baron and
Baronne de Neufliz (nee Barbey), Lord
Charles Montague, Conlte Costa de
BasureRard. Princesse de Polignac. Com
te.sse tc-furfonr, Gen. Sir Charles Sack
viile-Nest Comtesse de Luart Mr. Will
lam Hude Nelson, Mrs. Van Rensselaer,
Thayer and Marquise de Pracontal.
Mr.. and Mrs. Perry Belmont gave a
big dinner party at the Ritz for Prince
and Princess Christopher. There were
sixteen at table. The other guests in
cluded the Grand Duchess George of
Russia. Mr.. and Mrs. Joseph Grew. Mr..
and Mrs. Gerard, Lady Sarah Wilson.
Count and Countess Wedel, Nine. Henry
de Sncay. Baron de Neufville. one time
Senator Phelan of California, and Baron
ue Barante.
Still another dinner party Of the week
xas that given by Col and Mrs. Francis
,r he Tnfa gOr