The hundredth anniversary of the birth of Michelet, the greatest of French historious, was celebrated with great clat this week. Michelet died twenty-four years ago, but his widow still survives and was a pathetic figure in the ceremonies. Unfortunately, one of the most picturesque items on the programme, the crowning of the historian's bust by @ young girl representing the Muse of Paris, had to be postponed owing to the unfavourable weather. The election of the Muse, bythe-by, was a distinctly humorous affair. The electorate consisted of about a hundved and fifty girls, all living with their Parents and guaranteed genuine ouvridres.- they entered into the business heart and soul, canvassed for votes and cast aspersions on opposition candidates in the most approved style.
'The voting was conducted amid a running fire of personalities which caused the chairman to remark that, on the whole, he preferred electors' without ' petticoats. One candidate, who took the lead at the first ballot, was literally howled down and sank ignominiously to the bottom of the poll. Reflections on her moral character were uttered with the utmost frankness, and it was. blightingly declared that she only worked one hour a day. Ultimately, after about a dozen ballots, a candidate obtained the necessary majority and was hailed as the Muse of Paris.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.