If L wore asked for an opinion as to the advisability of visiting Paris this year, I should reply: "Do so by all means—if you can alford it." There can be no manner of doubt that the Exhibition, and the motley crowds who will flock to it, will be well worth seeing: but again the proviso must be inserted. The man who Ohjects to paying two dollars for what ought not to cost him more than one had better stay away. His feelings would he perpetually harrowed if he came to Paris in 1900, The keepers of hotels, restaurants, cates, pensions, and shops have fully made up their minds to make money. out of visitors, and expecially foreigners, who are all popularly supposed to be rich, ud ignorant of the prices that ought to be paid. This determina on_has alrendy begin to make itself felt. Many der govervesses and other tenants of cheep rooms have had notice to quit unless they ure prepared to pay Exhibition prices, and many of them will experience the utmost difficulty in finding other accommodation within their limited means, Food is already source anil consequently dearer than over. These facts show clearly enough that Paris during the coming summer will be no place f-r those who have not plenty of money to spend. At the same time, there will probably not be the same rush for accommodation as there was in 1889, when people were glad to pay a sovereign night for the most miserable cubicles. The otticinl estimates, it ix true, are made out on the basis of a large increase in the number of visitors, but the war is bound to modify this to a considerable extent. The best course for most visitors to follow is to take a room at a hotel and have all meals at restaurants, s0 that one is free to yo where one likes and is not bound to rush off to any special place for lunch or dinner. For those who prefer to make a longer stay, furnished flats are available at from £14 per month, without attendance Pensions of course sound. French pri-vote families should be avoided. Prices should be carefully ascertained beforehand in every instance, and there need be no scruple in bargaining, just as one does with a Chinaman.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.