OUR PARIS LETTER

Evening Post, Volume CXII, Issue 152, 24 December 1926, Page 13

OUR PARIS LETTER

HISTORIC TAXICAB

FOR EXHIBITION IN AMERICA

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

PABIS, 27th October,

Paris yesterday saw tho tUpartuw, of one of the last remaining taxi-cabs iv which General Gallieni rushed his army to tho battle of tho Marne in September, 191-i, marking one of the most 'remarkable events in the World War. Instead, however, of rushing to the front with men upon whom the very safety of the French capital depended, this taxi left in the opposite direction on a much longer journey. Its destination, in fact, was Philadelphia. The battered old taxi, one of the two remaining (the other being in the Invalides Museum) decorated with French and American flags, was received by members of Paris Post No. 1 of the American Legion and the Comito d'Entente dcs Anciens Oombattants Francais at the headquarters of tho American Legion in Paris, where it was handed over to those accompanying it to America for the Philadelphia convention of the American Legion. Letters of greetings from Marshal Foch and the members of tho various French veterans' associations were also given to the party, who, after the sea voyage from Cherbourg, will take the cab from New York to Philadelphia. A GEIM HERITAGE. The present month marks a grim bicentenary, for it is now two hundred years since Charles Sansqn, the second of the "Sarison dynasty" of executioners, died in Paris. This family held office without a break from 1084 to 1840. Only once was the succession imperilled, and that was at the death, of this Charles, whose son was only seven at the time. The boy, however, was duly appointed public executioner, although he had to perform his duty vicariously until ho reached the mature age of sixteen.

The Sansons prided themselves upon the "mystery" of the craft. One of them, the-.most famous, Charles Henri Sanson, mado an important contribution to the reforms in criminal punishment, which produced the guillotine. Ho was the first exponent of the use of the guillotine in France; he was the man who worked the guillotine throughout the French Bevolution.

Charles Henri Sanson was reputed to be a man of culture, one who, according to the most authentic records, "was charged with a cruel du£y, but, nevertheless, was without any feeling' of cruelty himself." ■

Tho first Sanson to be .appointed public executioner (IGS4) w.as an officer in the Army and Governor of Dieppe Another was well known as a musician, and had some literary reputation. TO SHAVE, OR NOT TO SHAVE. Hairdressing experts in Paris are divided —as experts usually are —on tho question of tho employment of women as assistants in barbers \sl ops ministering particularly to men. The burning question seems to bo whether the fair sex would prove themselves officiant In tho delicate operation of shaving. Thus we find an official of the Paris Hairdressers' Association declaring: "I know women arc being employed aa barbers' assistants in the'provinces of France, but I don't think they make good barbers. They aro- too nervous and temperamental to perform.so delicate a task ax shaving a man." On the other hand, another official of the . same association said: "I should think women would be ideal for the job. Their, naturally gentle and soothing ways would be an important asset when shaViug a fidgety client. Tho allegation that they are too nervous is outof tho question when one thinks of the delicate work women nurses are called upon to perform in hospitals." A consensus of opinion gathered from those who would be called upon to offer their cheeks to the fair sniiter would .be interesting. MODERN WEDDING PARTY. Passers-by .on the boulevards yesterday gazed with astonishment and admiration at the very latest and most up-to-date motor-coach for . wedding parties. . Through its bevelled plateglass windows they could see the daintiest of upholstery, garnishings of silk arid lace, and as many mirrors as even a bride or a bridesmaid could desire. The crowning touch was a piano, installed at the forward end, just behind the driver's scat.. What a, change from the loud bassoon which caused the weding guest to beat his breast when he. was buttonholed by an insistent ancient mariner with a lurid tale to tell! Tho modern Paris bridal party takes its music wherever it may wish to go. It 13 independent of hired musicians and stuffy salons do noces.-. It can go into tho shady woods, and while willing volunteei-3 extract waltzes and fox-) trots and Charlestons from the piano, the guesta can trip it" on tho green sward as their forefathers did in Watteau's time. ■ ' CHILD'S PRESENCE OF MIND. Remarkable presence of mind was shown by a lost child in the Bue de Eivoli . a day or two ago. Just now this very popular shopping throughfare in the afternoons is resuming at the close of the holidays, its usual animation, and it was in a throng of people near the Hotel do Villo that the little, girl- was separated from her mother. Passers-by observed her running to and fro, calling for someone, and a woman at last questioned her, only to discover that the child was a foreigner and did not understand French. It was apparent that tho little one was looking for her mother, whoso name sho was calling. An idea suddenly struck tho child.. Pointing to a woman nearby, who wore a pink frock, she said "Commo ca." The woman then led tho ■ child away some distance in quest of a particular pink dress. Fifty yards away it was found. Tho mother was easily recognisable, not only by means of the frock, but also by her anxious appearance. BSD ANT PE3T. About fifteen months ago swarms of small red ants were*observed in some houses in the Euo de la . Chaussee d'Antin, tho Eve de Mazagran, and the Rue de l'Echniquier. For a long time they were unobtrusive, br,t the heat of the" past fow weeks has caused them to increase and multiply altogether too rapidly. In some flats, more especially in old houses that have not been overhauled for m^ny years, they are making the'tenants' lives a burden to them. They swarm over food, invade every cupboard, and thrive on overy known kind of vermin-killer. _ They may have their headquarters in the cellars, but nobody knov. | Tho aid of science is requested.