Year: 1862

Ills halr had been covered with some ClaTnTny
substance over which copper filings had been
sprinkled so that it was stiff and brilliant
feathers had been stuck in it so as to form
sort of diadem; his face was daubed with
paint of different colors; he had on neck
lace formed of corks cut round and covered
with gilt paper; his shirt was worn over his
clothes and was ornamented with arabesques
in red paint; his trowsers were raised so as
to leave his legs bare, and his legs as also his
neck and arms were painted of chocolate
color. Near him was a bundle containing his
stockings, cravat, waistcoat, &c. He was fast
asleep, and, on being wakened, manifested
the greatest astonishment at finding himself
in such 4 place and in such a guise. Being
taken to the nearest guard house and ques-
toned, he stated that lie was well-to do far
mer in the department Of the Aisne and had
long been termented with q desire to see Par
is. Having collected a sum Of money, he had
come to the capital ior the Emperor's fete, and
remained there ever since, The day before
he was found so strangely accoutred he went
to the Jardin des Plantes and sat down on
bench to rest himself Shortly after a young
man Of gentlemanly appearance, who was
reading a book, seated himself by his side
They got into conversation, and he related to
the young man what he had seen in Paris,
but expressed great regret that he had not
been able to fall in with the Siamese ambas-
sadors How lucky it is that we have metz
cried the young MAJ. The ambassadors are
this very evening to visit naval surgeon Of
my acquaintance who cured their queen Of
the whoOping-cOugh: and if you ike viii
take you to his house" The farmer at first
hesitated to accept the strangers offer, but the
latter pressed him so eourteously that he con-
sented.


An appointment to meet in the evening in
the Place de Pantheon war made, and both
the farmer aud the young man Were punctual
The latter led the eOuntryman up and down
several obscure streets, and then entered a
house in which there was no concierge. In
one apartment to which he was introduced
the farmer found several young men drinking
and smoking, and he was induced to drink
with them. After while he was shown,
through hole in the door, several persons,
male and female, who were dressed in strange
costumes, and were told that they were the
ambassadors and their wives, but hat be could
rot be admitted to them unless he would con-
sent to have certain changes made in his dress
He at first refused, but at last, alter being well
filed with wine, submitted. His toilette hav-
ing been completed, he was then introduced
to the ambassadors. They courteously enter
ed into a conversation with him through an
interpreter, and then insisted that he should
partake Of their refreshments. What he ate,
he said, was very strange, and what he drank
still more so. At last the ambassadors mott
fed him that they were so pleased with him
they would decorate him with the Order Of
the White Elephant; but they said that, in
accordance with the custom OF the country,
he must first chase one Of them down stairs,
and the farmer pursued. But on reaching the
bottom the outer door was suddenly opened
and he was pushed out; the door was then
closed on him, and a moment after a bundle
containing the articles of dress he had taken
off was dropped from window. He knock
ed loudly at the door, but received no reply.
He therefore went away and walked about
until, overcome with fatigue and the fumes Of
drink, he sat down to rest. He soon fell
asleep, and remained sleeping until until he
was found by the police. After he had told
his singular story he was made to count his
money. He said that not a sou had been ia
ken from him. It was thus clear that he had
only been made the victim of practical hoax,
and it is thought likely that the perpetrators
OF it were students.