A Life in Paris – March 16, 1862

Photography print available at Found View Gallery.

We went to the avenue Champs-Élysées, near the Arc de Triomphe, to see the objects to be sold at auction by Anna Deslions, the tart who for so long lived across the court from us and who, from the fourth story of our house launched herself into this wealth, this luxury, this reverberating, scandalous existence. After all, these women do not offend me: they constitute a break with the monotony of life, its formalism, its social rigour. They lend a little madness to the world, slap the banknote in the face, represent caprice released, free, naked and victorious in a world of solicitors with their cautious and economical pleasures.

Everything in Deslion’s house is of a gross and impure luxury and of a low species of impurity. Her drawing room in white and gold; her bedroom is in pink satin with gilt in every direction; and there is a dressing room with basins and water pitchers in yellow Bohemian crystal glass, all of it enormous, gigantic, wanting the biceps of Hercules to pick it up.

Edmond and Jules de Goncourt

Notes:
• From The Goncourt Journals 1851-1870
• Edmond and Jules de Goncourt, brothers, were French writers.

A Life in Paris – March 3, 1862

A very light snowfall. We took a cab to Théophile Gautier’s, 32, rue de Longchamps, at Neuilly, to let him see the published fascicles of our book on eighteenth-century art…

Photography print available at Found View Gallery.

A very light snowfall. We took a cab to Théophile Gautier’s, 32, rue de Longchamps, at Neuilly, to let him see the published fascicles of our book on eighteenth-century art.

He lives in a street of shabby, rustic houses built round courtyards filled with poultry, and fruit shops with little black feather dusters hanging before their doors; such a suburban street as Hervier depicts with his artistically grimy brush. We knocked on the door of a plastered house and found ourselves in the home of the sultan of the epithet. A sitting room with furniture in red damask and heavy, Venetian like, gilt woodwork; old pictures of the Italian school with lovely spots of yellow flesh; over the fireplace a mirror lacking quicksilver and bordered with coloured arabesques and Persian characters like something in a Turkish café; the kind of indigent and hit-and-miss sumptuousness in which you would expect to find an old retired actress who had got the pictures as the result of the bankruptcy of an Italian manager.

Edmond and Jules de Goncourt

Notes:
• From The Goncourt Journals 1851-1870
• Edmond and Jules de Goncourt, brothers, were French writers.

A Life in Paris – February 29, 1848

Photography print available at Found View Gallery.

As I omitted to record at the proper moment an incident of transient interest, but which threatened serious consequences at the time, it is as well, whilst one can still speak feelingly on the subject, to mention that during these past days this luxurious capital was in imminent danger of starvation. The daily supplies of a large capital, like London or Paris, are generally so beautifully and wonderfully balanced, that each day leaves but a small surplus beyond the regular consumption. The barricades had completely impeded the free circulation towards the outskirts; and the frightful reports of the state of anarchy in the town deterred all those who usually supplied the city with provisions from attempting to reach its centre. My own cook made a most doleful report of his prospects for the morrow, as he announced the larder to be completely empty. We were also told there was no flour in the town; and that the bakers had ceased to distribute bread. Lamartine’s timely exertions, therefore, in causing the barricades to be removed, saved us from dangers quite as serious, though of a less ostensible description than massacre.

There is nothing that has surprised me more in the wonderful changes of the last few days than the utter destruction of all conventional value attached to articles of luxury or display. Pictures, statues, plate, jewels, shawls, furs, laces, all one is accustomed to consider property, become as useless lumber. Ladies anxious to realise a small sum, in order to seek safety in flight, have in vain endeavoured to raise a pittance upon the most costly jewels. What signified it that they were “rich and rare,” when no one would or could buy them?

Lord Normanby

Notes:
• From A year of revolution. From a journal kept in Paris in 1848
• Lord Normanby was a British politician and was ambassador to Paris from 1846 to 1852.

A Life in Paris – February 28, 1867

6 Francs for a comb. I get my hair cut over in the American part of the town in a nice establishment. The prices are the same all over the town…

Photography print available at Found View Gallery.

6 Francs for a comb. I get my hair cut over in the American part of the town in a nice establishment. The prices are the same all over the town. As I was coming out, the thought just popped into my head that it would be a good chance to buy a comb as my own was broken to pieces. I was shown a very nice one for 26 fr. and I thought it rather dear. Then they showed me a 10 franc one. Same fault. Perhaps Mister would like a cheap comb I admitted the delicate insinuation and the woman showed me the 6 franc ones, the cheapest she had, one of which I took. I asked Mrs. Moore next week what a good comb was worth. She said I might have got a good india rubber one for a couple of francs. My own I notice on holding it up to the light is of a beautiful shell and since my discovery I always feel nervous about using it. […]

Yesterday it rained and snowed all day, and I had to make a fire for the first time in six weeks. Tomorrow it will probably be hot in the morning foggy in the afternoon & rainy at night.

Thomas Eakins, to his mother

Notes:
• From The Paris Letters of Thomas Eakins
• Thomas Eakins was an American artist.

A Life in Paris – February 26, 1848

Photography print available at Found View Gallery.

This morning a considerable agitation exists throughout Paris, fed from time to time by the accounts which arrive from the provinces, and the reports spread every half-hour by exaggerated alarmists. At the same time there is no doubt that this must be a most anxious day : already last night there were rumours that an attempt would be made on the part of the Communists to overthrow the existing government. There are at this moment, I am told, six thousand men, well disposed and determined to defend the cause of order, assembled round the Hotel-de-Ville, and if this day passes without reverse, I trust the town may be considered safe from the dreadful scenes which were anticipated last night.

Lord Normanby

Notes:
• From A year of revolution. From a journal kept in Paris in 1848
• Lord Normanby was a British politician and was ambassador to Paris from 1846 to 1852.

A Life in Paris – February 25, 1848

There was a general report yesterday evening, that the Duchess of Montpensier was missing, having been forgotten in the precipitate flight of the rest of the Royal Family from the Tuileries…

Photography print available at Found View Gallery.

There was a general report yesterday evening, that the Duchess of Montpensier was missing, having been forgotten in the precipitate flight of the rest of the Royal Family from the Tuileries. This was so far confirmed to me, that a person told me soon after the departure of the King, he could hardly believe his eyes when he saw the young Princess quite alone, wandering bewildered on the outskirts of the crowd near the Palace. In answer to my very natural question why he did not at once offer his assistance, this person replied, that his first impulse was to do so, though he was perfectly unknown to Her Royal Highness, but that in the then temper of the mob he did not like the responsibility of attracting attention to her, and he thought her best chance of safety was in being not only unrecognised but unsuspected.

I am happy to say that for the present I am reassured as to her safety. One could not help an inward reflection upon the contrast between the arrival of the Duchesse de Montpensier in the land of her adoption not much more than a year since, and the way in which she was now about to quit it, perhaps for ever.

Lord Normanby

Notes:
• From A year of revolution. From a journal kept in Paris in 1848
• Lord Normanby was a British politician and was ambassador to Paris from 1846 to 1852.

Thoughts on Paris – February 23, 1848

Affairs wore a much more serious aspect this afternoon. The 3rd Legion of the National Guard have assembled, but have refused to act, uttering general cries of “Vive la Reforme”…

Photography print available at Found View Gallery.

Affairs wore a much more serious aspect this afternoon. The 3rd Legion of the National Guard have assembled, but have refused to act, uttering general cries of “Vive la Reforme” They have announced that they are ready as usual to protect property, should it be attacked, but that they will not lend their assistance to put down any popular demonstration against a Government which they detest. During the night, I understand that those who had assembled acted with great vigour in the protection of property, and fired upon bands of people whom they found engaged in pillage, and killed several. This morning, however, when the 3rd Legion were assembled, they acted as I have described. Their example has since been followed by the 2nd Legion, and I understand they have both marched to the Tuileries, and sent in the commanding officers, who were charged with the expressions of their desire for an immediate change of ministry. It is understood that all the different legions of the National Guard will follow their example to-morrow, should the King’s answer not be favorable.

Lord Normanby

Notes:
• From A year of revolution. From a journal kept in Paris in 1848
• Lord Normanby was a British politician and was ambassador to Paris from 1846 to 1852.

A Life in Paris – February 20, 1847

Opening of the Théâtre-Historique…

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Opening of the Théâtre-Historique. I came out from it at half-past three in the morning.

Victor Hugo

Notes:
• From Choses Vues
• Victor Hugo was a French writer.

Thoughts on Paris – February 19, 1848

The alarm, which unfortunately prevails here in every social circle, may shape itself into exaggerated reports of the dreaded danger. I believe, therefore, in the success of the strenuous efforts of all engaged in what they consider a necessary constitutional demonstration to prevent any breach of the peace…

Photography print available at Found View Gallery.

The alarm, which unfortunately prevails here in every social circle, may shape itself into exaggerated reports of the dreaded danger.

I believe, therefore, in the success of the strenuous efforts of all engaged in what they consider a necessary constitutional demonstration to prevent any breach of the peace. I am not disposed to attribute any fixed design even to the Republicans to engage in any conflict of physical force; but in any speculations, as to the probable conduct of such a population as that of Paris, one must never forget the powerful influence on the event, which at any moment may be excited by the unforeseen chances of such a day. An accidental conflict provoked by a few hotheads, may overturn all previous resolves.

The newspapers contain an account of cries of “Vive la Reforme” uttered by the National Guard on duty at the Tuileries, as they marched past yesterday morning. I am informed this incident actually occurred as there stated. I still hope and trust that Tuesday next may pass over without any disastrous consequences, but I cannot deny that there is some ground for the disquietude, so generally prevailing, and which, amongst other consequences, has induced so many of the English residents to hasten their departure from this country.

Lord Normanby

Notes:
• From A year of revolution. From a journal kept in Paris in 1848
• Lord Normanby was a British politician and was ambassador to Paris from 1846 to 1852.

A Life in Paris – February 14, 1871

Truly the dregs of the cup of besiegerents are bitter. You get food, but no appetite…

Photography print available at Found View Gallery.

Truly the dregs of the cup of besiegerents are bitter. You get food, but no appetite; light, and nothing to look at; safety, but combined with such intense ennui that I prefer the danger—any one would.

Felix M. Whitehurst

Notes:
• From My Private Diary During the Siege of Paris
• Felix M. Whitehurst kept a diary during the Prussian siege of Paris from September 1870-January 1871.