The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-07-25

at all from the point of view Of fashion. I did not see more than three smart costumes there. It is true that the day was rather cold and threaten ing. which may have been one reason for it. But the huge crowd of people fand there seemed to be hundreds of thousands of them) evidently were in terested not in gowns, but in racing.
 More fascinating to Americans than the races, think, are the dining places of Paris. Of these the Chateau Madrid is unique. It stands just outside the entrance to the Bois and 1t Is the snartest place to dine in Paris.
 You come in by the chateau, turn corner, and on your right is pavilion entirely open on one side, and entirely mirrors on the other. This is only used if it rains. On your left, under the trees, are all the tables, and in cleared place in the center is dancing platform. Lights are strung through the trees, and in thte center are tlve large lights; whoever arranged them IS a genius, for they are the most be- coming lights imaginable. Almost without exception the women look beau tifuI under them. At the far end they have a sort of arrangement of green lights in the trees that produce the most extraordinary and fantastic et- feet: and an unbelievably lovely effect when seen reflected in the mirrors in the pavilion.
 People dine very late in Paris, almost never before 9 o'clock, and sometimes at late as TO- There are usually two orchestras, one that plays tangoes and waltzes, and the other to play fox trots. During dinner and until about 10 80 one of these orchestras plays soft music, but no dance music: In my opinion this is custom that should he followed in America. No one loves 10 dance more than I, but don't par ticuIarly enjoy it between the fish and meat, nor do enjoy trying to hear or make myself heard over saxophones, drums, etc., played as loudly as pos sible. I am still old-fashioned enough to think conversation and soft-very soft-music is the best dinner accom- paniment.
 But I wish we could have such places in America-and of course in Paris the Madrid is only one of them. All the discomforts of a restaurant are gone in these places Delicious fresh air, the chatter of dishes and noise of voices almost unnoticeable, no bugs, mosqui- toes or flies; it is like eating in fairy land.
 The most fashionable early supper place is the Jardine de ma Soeur, where Maurice and Leonora Hughes are danc- ing. I have been there only three or four times, and avoid it as much as possible. Packed to the doors, no room to dance, very little rooom to sit, and absolutely no air to breather, to me it merely means most uncomfortable evening. But these are the conditions that seem to appeal to many people :; certainly many Americans. If you want to discover who has just arrived from the other side, go to the Jardine de ma Soeur, and you will see them. It is the only place in Paris run in an American way. For instance, there are no ladies sitting and dancing to- gether; no danceur de la maison (dan- cer of the house). He is an institu- tion in every other place. He is man employed by the restaurant to dance with all the clients who want to. Some places have as many as two or three. Quite often one sees an older man, or one who does not dance, sitting at the table while the lady is dancing with the house dancer. It is considered correct for every one. ladies of fashion or not. Would we like this in Amer ica?