OUR PARIS LETTER.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1945, 30 March 1875, Page 2

OUR PARIS LETTER.

[fbom ovm own cobeespondbnt.3 [conclttdbd ]

Pabis, January 12. There has been the usual anniversary mass celebrated for the repose of the ex-Emperor's soul. The gathering of the Bonapartists was perhaps more numerous this year than the last, when their prospects were more cheerful. Of late a reaction has set in against them, caused by their going-a-head top rapidly. On the present occasion the little viglifeji bouquets were in great request. Sftt accordance with the event, the "ghost" of a Viva was given for the Emperor. These solemnities must pay, or they would not be indulged in Beyond doubt, &ut they are just as reprehensible in point of taste, to say nothing more, as a political oratian over the grave of a modern Brutus in Pere La Chaise.

Preparations are.already being made for the carnival,' which really promises to be gay, as a new generation has c«me into txistence since the invasion, which, intends to haye its cakes and ale. Of course there is no use remaining for ever in sackcloth and ashes. Youth never dies. If the carnival did not exist it would be necessary to invent it, as the money spent, or squandered, does good to the poor and needy.. Before our ancestors knew the virtue. of masked 7 balls, the churches had annually to celebrate their well-known Fetes dcs Faus.

The umbrella is a "notable article of toilette or of habiliment, the friend of bad days. Sally Gamp was not behind the age, as we shall presently sea, nor wai Scribe wrong in dedicating an ode to it. Sardon, the rich Sardon now, has preserved in his dining hall the gingham umbrella which was his sole companion - when he first came to Paris to seek hii fortune; the old Marquis de Boissy had engraved on his, <( This umbrella has been stolen from the Marquis,de Boisiy :'* it. is a notorious fact that one never receives back an umbrella that is worth anything. It may seem strange to relate the fact, that in the eighteenth century in Paris, umbrellas formed an institution, and their loaning was regulated by a royal degree. The waifs and strays of the city were al-

lowed to act as umbrella carriers, just as slaves and niggers are represented in screenwork,holding such over the heads of nabobs and the salt of the earth ; or, to hire out the same protection for a small fee, and on depositing a small sum; these "loan commissioners" settled down where they could, had a lantern, with a number on it for recognition and identity, and each umbrella had to be in green material; the, same applied to parasols. ,The Revolution siwept away* the institution like so many others. Roch the executioner, has set out in his circular tour; he has adopted a few more improvements in his enfant, as the guillotine is familiarly called; perhaps an economy of a second makes a difference in the chopping off of a head; he ordered a new basket the other day, and the workman only learned its destination; when ordered to line it with zinc; he claims an increase of price, as he was engaged, he alleges, under false pretences to make a " plate," instead of a. " head " basket. Thirty years ago Marie Guernie was found dead in her bed, the doctors declaring she had been poisoned; she was on the eve of being married, and her sister, Madeleine, was believed to be /jealous of net 1 sister's happiness; suspicion fell on Madeleine, and though young, she was tried, found guilty, and executed. Their father has just died, and confessed to the clergyman, the Abbe Barreau, requesting him to publish the fact, that it was he who poisoned his daughter Marie, and that Madeleine knew he had done so, but died to save Mm. Novelists in search, of a peg, could hang one or three novels on this.

These who are interested in "■ Self-made men," can witness in the Paris Hospital ;Necke*, old Senkeisen, aged 78. Entering the army, at the age of 14, on the command,of his father, he fought with the Bavarians in their alliance with the French, under Napoleon I. He received promotion,; and was wounded at Waterloo; in 1830 he fought in Algeria ; was naturalised a Frenchman, received a pension, and was complimented for his bravery by Marshals Berthier, Dugercan and Suchefc; was decorated with the Legion of Honor, and the St. Helena medal. Now change all the masculine Eronduns, for theidectors have prphounced im;to be a female. What a brave old girl, but not of the period!