Paris.

It runs thus:--"The sumptuous Paris mansion of the Comtesse Aynard de
Chabrillan in the Rue Christophe-Colomb was converted into a veritable
scene from the 'Thousand and One Nights' on the occasion of a Persian
fete given by her to a large company of friends.

"In the courtyard an immense tent was erected, hung with superb Persian
stuffs and tapestries, and here the elite of Paris assembled in gorgeous
Oriental costumes.

"The countess herself presided in a magnificent Persian costume of green
and gold, with an immense white aigrette in her hair."

Notice it. The simplicity of it! Only green and gold in her costume, no
silver, no tin, no galvanized iron, just gold, plain gold; and only "one
immense white aigrette." The quiet dignity of it!

The article goes on:--"Each of the sensational entries was announced by
M. Andre de Fouquieres, the arbiter of Parisian elegance.

"One of the most striking spectacles of the evening was the appearance
of Princesse P. d'Arenberg, mounted on an elephant, richly bedecked with
Indian trappings. Then came the Duchesse de Clermont-Tonnerre and the
Comtesse Stanislas de Castellane in gold cages, followed by the Marquise
de Brantes, in a flower-strewn Egyptian litter, accompanied by Pharaoh
and his slaves.

"The Comtesse de Lubersac danced an Oriental measure with charming
grace, and Prince Luis Fernando of Spain, in an ethereal costume, his
features stained a greenish hue, executed a Hindoo dance before the
assembly."

Can you beat it? His features stained with a greenish hue! Now look at
that! He might have put on high grade prepared paint or clear white
lead,--he's rich enough,--but, no, just a quiet shingle stain is enough
for him.

I cannot resist adding from the same source the list of the chief
guests. Anybody desiring a set of names for a burlesque show to run
three hundred nights on the circuit may have them free of charge or
without infringement of copyright.

"Nearly everyone prominent in Paris society was present, including the
Maharajah of Kapurthala, Princess Prem Kaur, Prince Aga Khan, the
Austrian Ambassador and Countess Szecsen, the Persian and Bulgarian
Ministers, Mme. Stancioff, Duc and Duchesse de Noailles, Comtesse A.
Potocka, Marquis and Marquise de Mun, Comtesse du Bourg de Bozas, Mrs.
Moore, Comte and Comtesse G. de Segonzec and Prince and Princess de
Croy."

I am sorry that "Mrs. Moore" was there. She must have slipped in
unnoticed.

What is