DARKENED PARIS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4459, 29 January 1917, Page 6

DARKENED PARIS.

NEW LIGHTING ARRANGEMENTS

The new order prohibiting the use of gas and electricity for the lighting: of shops after six o’clock ir. the evenin <r came into force in Paris on November 15, and had the strange, result of giving the boulevards during the. earliest parts of the evening a greater animation than they have displayed for a long time past, crowds of sightseers coming out. curious to see what the streets would look like in the evening under the new conditions. In obedience to the • decree of the Prefect of Police, all the shops were forced to put out their gas and electric light at the hour laid down, and then either shut or light with candles or oil lamps. M°st of the large department stores like the Bon Marche and the Printemps elkseel at six o’clock, as it was impossible for them to improvise satisfactory means of lighting; hut most of the smaller shops in the mam streets remained open, and used makeshift lighting installations ranging from bicycle lamps to Chinese lanterns. The appearance of the boulevards, however, showed surprisingly little change, mainly because the cafes and restaurants, which abound there, are permitted to remain lighted as before. But their turn came when, at 9.30 instead of as usual 10.30) they had to close their doors and do their part in war economy. Some diners, conservative in their- habits, grumbled a little at being hurried over tlieir af-ter-dinner cafe and liqueur. ,but the Parisian is “bon sarcon.” and most took the matter philosophically. Bv ten the boulevards were dark and as deserted as.a country road.