International studio (18.1902/1903)

''NEAR THE !l.E DE l.A CtTk" FROM A FHOTOGRAFH
BY CLIVE HOLLAND

and helpfnl, the discussions which take place when
the light has grown dim, and the day's work is over
in the studios, or later on in the evening, over the
tops of little white tables in the favourite r<r/2.r, are
worth hours of debate of a more academic sort,
are more suggestive than mere teaching, more
inspiring than the perusal of biographies of suc-
cessful artists.
Then there is the American Art Association, with
its genial secretary—popular, " cute " in Quarter
ways, helpful to the and the old inhabitants
alike—an encyclopaedia of Quarter lore and
Quarter celebrities, artistic, literary, and social.
The will hnd the reading-room on the
Quai de Conti, a harbour of refuge in his salad
days a tender link with the world at home through
the medium of paper and printing ink. He may
not go there so often when he feels his feet, but he
will always turn up occasionally, and regard the
place with something akin to affection. " Papa "
Bigelow is well known to the " boys," and the little
Expositions he and the committee organise three or
four times a year hold much that is good, exhibit
the most modern trend in painting, are a welcome
opportunity for even the " arrived," and a godsend
to those who have not yet attained to that happy
position.
That serious work is done by a large number of
the students, either at Ihe schools or at their own
<?3^/?'<?7-y, is, of course, undeniable; but the Quarter,
ever noted for its somewhat irresponsible gaiety,
its "?'?7?/57v^7*M"—shall we say, its "life"?—
has changed in most of these things only in degree
since Murger's time.

Still is the Boul' Miche made to re-
sound with song and merriment late o'
nights : still—though alas ! altered—do
the Cafd d'Harcourt and Taverne Lor-
raine give hostages to fortune at the
Temple of Venus, and resound with
songs and boisterous merriment toward
the small hours. And BuIIier's garish
fagade marks the Temple of Terpsichore
patronised by the charming if errant Mimi
Pinsons, Marcelles, Suzannes, Yvettes,
and Maries of the Quarter life —
<377??M many of thern, sunshine or rain, il
the right chord in their hearts has been
touched. Bullier, still patronised by
students, models, grisettes, artists who
have arrived, and others, survives ; and,
on Thursday nights and Sunday nights,
is one of the gayest spots in the whole
of Paris, gay with good spirits and the
<a%<!72<%77? of youth not yet crushed either by respon-
sibilities or failure. But how dull to the outsider !
—the tourist who comes expecting wickedness
unheard of, and who goes away disappointed. It
is only when one is within the magic circle of the
elect, knows a little of the <37^<V, is acquainted with
some of the students, models, and <%<?<%?*?'%<M', that a
dropped word or two unfolds a romance, tragedy
or comedy, or it may be a mixture of both, such
as exists in like form only within the precincts of
this wonderful Quartier Latin, of which the 73<7??KT3?<!
so soon becomes a unit—nay, even a part.
Far different from the feverish delights of the
dancing-hall are those of the Luxembourg
Gardens—exquisite tree-shaded gardens, in which
the students and their <?77??'<?y, rnodels, <%<77?7?f.f, poets,
and /<7??7^<7A?i? gather of an afternoon to gossip,
quizz their neighbours, and listen to the band.
What student romances have commenced (and
perhaps ended) there ! How longingly the 7?<73?z<^<z??
during his early 7?<???{7<?<???-hood regards the merry
little groups and pairs sitting under the shadow of
the leafy chestnut trees. He will join them sooner
or later, of course; perhaps the very afternoon
following the engagement of his hrst model. Who
knows ? For models love sunlight, gaiety, and life,
even though they pose at a couple of francs an
hour (or less) for Henner-Iike A/i?^<f<?/<?7?^, <S??77?3'c
CC7?W7<3&M, " 6*<773^77Z/'/<?/?'<'73^," Or "A?'7*j/ &77*7'<7H7y",-
and the band in the Luxembourg plays well, and
sets little feet tapping on the gravel walks beneath
the trees, and Suzanne's or Marcelle's blood cours-
ing ecstatically through her veins. So, after the
pose, she will tie the artist's cravat, smooth his

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