The American in Paris; vol. 1 of 2

by John Sanderson

The Journal des Debats represents the “haute Bourgeoisie,” the rich industrial classes, whose great interests are, order and security of property, and the maintenance of peace with foreign countries. The “Partie Doctrinaire,” the chief supporters of this paper, are a kind of genteel liberals, holding the balance between confirmed royalists and democrats, and ultra liberals. They have supported their doctrines with a great display of scholastic learning, which has given them their appellation of “Doctrinaires.” Their leaders are mostly from the schools, as Royer Collard, Guizot, and Villemain, Keratry and Barrante. This paper has a leaning towards a vigorous monarchy and the Orleans dynasty; it is now doing what it can in its moderate way to discredit the republicanism of the United States.

The Gazette de France and the Quotidienne are opposed directly to the present government, and in favour of the legitimate monarchy in the person of Henry V. The former advocates royalty with extended suffrage, the increase of power in the provinces, and decrease of the influence of the capital; the latter insists upon the re-establishment, in its fullest extent, of the ancient monarchy.

The National asserts republicanism outright, on the system of the United States. It is conducted with spirit and ability, at present, by M. Carrel. In assuming his office he announced himself in his address as follows:—“La responsibilité du National pése en entier dès ce jour sur ma seule tête; si quelqu’un s’oubliât en invective au sujêt de cette feuille, il trouverait à qui parler.” With this the paper called the Tribune, edited also with ability, co-operates.

The Moniteur reports the speeches of the Chambers, and official documents, and is the ostensible organ of the government. The Temps, the Courier, the Messager, and Journal du Commerce, all advocate reform on constitutional principles. There are smaller papers, too, conducted with ability. These, with Galignani, and some other English prints, make up the newsmongerie of Paris. The price of Galignani and the principal French papers is twenty dollars a year, and their number of regular subscribers about 20,000. In Paris they are generally read by the hour, and transferred from one individual to another, and disposed of in the evening to the public establishments, or sent off to the country. In this manner, they are read by an immense number of persons daily. The price of advertising in the best papers is about thirty sous per line.

The first men of the nation are amongst the constant contributors to these papers, both as correspondents and editors. The editorial corps around each, discuss the leading topics, and form a board to admit or reject communications. These have their daily meetings with the functionaries of the state, and their correspondents in every foreign country. Argus, with his hundred eyes, and Briareus, with his hundred hands, preside over the preparation of the daily meal. In our country, where the same man caters, cooks, and does the honours, it would be unfair to make any comparison of ability. There is one point, however, in which there is no good reason why we should allow the French or any other people the superiority: it is, the decency of language in which animated debates are conducted. To be eloquent, or even vituperative, it is not necessary to be abusive, or transgress the rules of good breeding; polish neither dulls the edge nor enervates the vigour of the weapon. The existence of agencies between the owners and readers of newspapers is an immense gain to the liberty of the press. There can be very little freedom of opinion where the editor and proprietor, as in the United States, stand in immediate relation with their patrons.

In speaking of the powers of the government, I have said nothing of the Chamber of Peers. It is but a feather in either scale. It wants the hereditary influence and great estates necessary to command popular respect. The title of Peer is for life only, and is the reward of prescribed services in all the chief employments of the state. It is a cheap dignity, which pleases grown-up children, and consists of a ribbon in the button-hole.

I have said nothing, either, of Bonapartism, which has gasped its last. The most violent enmities against the Emperor seem to have burnt out. No danger is now apprehended either from his family or his partisans, and the mind is open to a full sense of the glory he has conferred upon the nation; and there is mixed up with admiration of his talents, a sentiment of affection, from the recollection of his great reverses of fortune and his patient sufferings. I have heard all parties speak of him with great respect and praise. It is a good policy of the present government to have taken into favour all his plans for the improvement of the country, and to have placed him in his citizen’s coat, and cocked hat, stripped of its military plumes, upon his column.

When I write politics to ladies, Apollo keeps twitching me all the while by the ear; but I thought any other subject to-day would be impertinent. Yet why should ladies be ignorant of what enters so largely into the conversation of society, and makes so important a part of the learning of their children? I am meditating a journey to Rome, and expect to set out next week with a gentleman of Kentucky. His Holiness, I presume, will be delighted to see some one all the way from the Sharp Mountain. Direct your letters as usual. Very tenderly, yours.

LETTER VII.

The Garden of Plants—The Omnibus—The Museum of Natural History—American Birds—The Naturalist—Study of Entomology—The Botanic Garden—Cabinet of Comparative Anatomy—The Menagerie—The Giraffe—Notions of America—The Cedar of Lebanon—Effects of French Cookery—French Gastronomy—Goose Liver Pie—Mode of Procuring the Repletion of the Liver.