PARIS AND THE PARISIANS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVI, Issue 14192, 15 October 1906, Page 2

PARIS AND THE PARISIANS.

(By ID ALIA DE VILLIERS, in the “ Boston Globe.”)

Some years ago; it would not have been possible to organise—and carry out—a successful fete at the end of June, in Paris. Even a notable leader like the Diichesse d’Uzes would have found it impossible to keep the ultrafashionable women so long in town. Now everything is changed; the Paris season marches with that of London', and no one regards the Grand Pris as a signal for adieux. One of the most successful fetes of the whole season was held at the end of Juno, in the Jardin de Paris, in aid of “Le Pouponmat de Montgeron,” at Non ret. _ , , This splendid charity was founded by the Duchess d’Uzes in 1903 ; and at the “ Pouponnat ” they receive —and care for—little new-born children, who, otherwise would be sorely neglected, if -not ill treated. In the midst of pure country air, these wee children are carefully looked after by, experienced nurses. Every notable leader of fashion in Paris took part in the fete and at five o’clock in the afternoon the famous “Jardin des Paris” presented an appearance of extraordinary brilliancy. There was a children’s ball, finishing up with a cotillon; a first-rate circus performance and a “ Goncours de Chapeaux”; the judges of this “ Concours ” were Boldini, the famous portrait painted; Caran d’Aohe and Sem, the caricaturists : Telleu and other celebrated personages. Among the beautiful women who sold programmes—at fabulous prices—was the Princess Galitzine, who wore_ an exquisite robe of palest beige voile and ivory mousseline the mousseline was richly ©mbroiderd, and _ the princess wore a picturesque hat of ivory crinoline straw with drooping feathers in an artistic shade of nut brown, and under the brim a cluster of pale pink roses. Oomte&so Jacqueline de Pourtales looked remarkably well in ivory Indian muslin, lavishly decorated with hand embroidery; she had a Tuscan straw hat loaded with pink roses and lilies of the-valley, and, falling from her shoulders a flowing scarf of pearl-grey crepe de chine. " . A notable beauty was the Marquise de Gouy D’Arcy—who sold flowers, and who looked perfectly charming with her picturesque basket filled with fragrant blossoms; she had a wonderful toilette of blush-rose foulard inset with Valenciennes lace; her quaint hat—in cloche form —was of Tuscan straw, and the high crown was surrounded by soft folds of blush-rose tulle ; falling at the back there were pale pink and pale grey feathers.. Another “beauty” who made a small fortune as a flower seller was the Comtesse du Bourg de Lozas, who wore a sheath-dress of fine black guipure, encrusted with superb chantilly. and with medallions of Irish lace arranged in the hem of the skirt and on the bolero ; the comteese wore an immense hat of drawn black tulle and a black bird of paradise falling low over the left ear. The famous Mdme de Banardaki lookyoung as her own daugliter in a princess robe of embroidered lawn, with rich incrustations of point d’angleterre; her charming little coat of "the lace was fastened in front with loose bows of liberty satin in'artistic shades of pale blue and mauve, and her hat of tagal straw was wreathed with poppies and golden corn. There have been elaborate entertainments at all the Embassies of recent days, but it was left to the Turkish Ambassador to completely . astonish Paris.

The Turkish Embassy is the same house in the Rue Villej us to which used to be occupied by General Porter, when ho represented the United States in France. In General Porter’s time the house was severely, simple, as regards decorations,- but under the present rule it is as gorgeous as an enchanted palace in on© of Dumas’ romances. The dinner was served in superb style; all the dishes were wreathed in flowers; the roasts with roses; the salads with carnations; the ices with jasmines, etc., etc. The wines were of the rarest and most expensive order, and all the rooms were filled with pale-hued flowers of great beauty. It was undeniable that the dinner was quite perfect and quite perfectly served, but tout Paris has been talking about the entertainments which were afterward provided for the amusement of the guests. Arlettei Dorgerc, who is said to bo the prettiest actress in Paris, was engaged to give Oriental dances of a remarkable nature, and many other photographic beayties took part in the “sing song”~as Munir Pasha modestly called it.

In the summer season—especially in the month of July—the Bois do Boulogne is the heart of Paris! With the ultra-fashionable restaurants, the exclusive clubs, and the splendid racecourses, everyone is to be found “Au Bois.” Every year “ Le Polo ” Club gives a charming fete for the children of its members, and this summer this entertainm’ent was even more successful than usual.

The weather was perfect, and on the terrace and on the immense lawns there were children in pure white dresses, with flowing curls and coquettish knots of _ ribbon hanging over the left eye, or in white “duck” sailor suits, with closely cropped heads and cocks, in the strange fashion which prevails in France.

Watching the games with tireless interest, I noticed the Comtesse de Briaillos, the Princess de Ligne in a role of ivory lace and with snowy feathers in her picture hat; Comteese de Castellano, whose beautiful little eon “ Georges ” won a flat race in splendid style; Princesse Lucinge-Faucigny, la Marquise d’Agricollar, Comtesse de Castsja, and many others.

One of the most attractive “events” of tho afternoon was the flat race for little girls under seven. The small creatures made tho best possible use of their plump lege, and as they approached the winning post the sea of flushed and excited faces was a sight ever to bo remembered.

The Pro Catelan restaurant in the Buis has enjoyed a very successful season. It is as much frequented as Armenonville, but the restaurant itself pretend® to bo “ quit© in the country I” Close by there is a model farm, where fresh milk can be obtained—bob' and , foaming and fresh from the cows—and everyone thinks it the correct thing to eat eggs at unaccustomed hours. In long ago days the Pro Catelan was very much frequented by the Empress Eugenie and her court, and romantic memories cling round it. _ Parisiennee—and Parisians—are very fond of taking up new ideas and of doing their best to keep them “ new.” 1 That is to say, to keep them from being adopted by their neighbours. ■ Eranoe is said to be the land of “ liberty, equality and fraternity,” blit I do not know of any other country in which the aristocrats guard their privilege®—l cannot call' them rights—so zealously as in Prance. For example, take, the case of a beautiful village in v the Seine ©t Marn© Department, where I have been spending a short holiday. All round this enchanting village there are immense forests, which are care- / fully guarded for the hunting season. Two aristocratic families, some of the oldest in France, own the entire ooun- , try, and they will not permit a railway station to be made at a convenient distance from the village. The train from Paris crosses a bridge,. on© hundred yards from tite village church, but it does not stop, and the inhabitants are obliged to walk many miles to reach a station! Those who own the land do not occupy their chateau more than two—at most three—months in the year, but they wish the village to remain isolated—because it suite their own arrangements. ...

While staying in the Seine et Marne Department I had the pleasure of being introduced into one of the latest, the most exclusive and the most fashionable clubs. ... . , ■>

It was started by a few well-known Parisians who wished to enjoy the delights of the country without much trouble; the clubhouse is a _ glorified farm, and the whole place is hidden away in a magnificent garden, with a forest on one side and in the near distance the silver river. Everything is arranged in country fashion, but the cooking arrangements are in the hands of a “cordon bleu,” and the prices are rather startling. The members are limited, and the whole thing gives you the idea of a big house party; everyone knows everyone, and everyone is “at home.” .Though this exclusive club is situated in the heart of the country, it is' only three-quarters of an hour’s run from Paris—by automobile. I need not say that ©very effort is. mad© by outsiders to' obtain right of entrance—without avail.

If a stranger chanced to ask for par- ■ ticulars, each and every member would profess entire ignorance of the existence of such a place. , “There are charmihg farmhouses in the- Seine et Marne Department,” they would say politely, “but of a club wo know no-; thing 1” Hidden away among giant trees, ant. in magnificent gardens, there are a> Ncuilly same superb bouses. It is aii artistic centre, and on all sides you find / the homes of famous personages. Comte Robert de Montesquieu’s wellknown “Pavilion des Muses” is at Neuilly and many other mansions of almost equal celebrity; -

The painter.Chartran has given_ during the season a series of delightful entertainments at his studio in the Boulevard- Victor Hugo, Neuilly, but' perhaps the most successful of these was the fete in aid of a deserving charity which he gave a few months ago, and at which Cecil© Sorel, of the Comedie Francaise, had a great success, Sorel looked extremely handsome on this occasion in a beautiful toilette of ivory crepe de chiue with Irish lace twenty inches wide inserted round the hem, the Siam© costly lac© forming a bolero of novel design. Her hat was of the fashionable Tuscan straw, turned up rather sharply at the left side and caught in by an art noveau ornament in pale green enamel and pearls; there were a great many feathers in pale shades of grey and of delicate mauve waving over the crown, and across her arm she carried an embroidered scarf. ‘