4TH OF JULY AND PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS. 151 



would be an interesting problem to solve. Of course many 

 accidents always take place at these times ; but that does not 

 count for anything. The next celebration will be even more 

 animated than the preceding one. 



On the 4th, the celebration is more solemn, at least in 

 that part of the town where the official ceremony takes place, 

 and to which assists the President of the Republic, the Senators 

 and deputies, high dignitaries, the Diplomatic body, and a 

 very large number of guests. There is always an address 

 read, a prayer said, a lecture of the Declaration of Indepen- 

 dence, poetry recited, speeches made, good music, and 

 -everything done according to programme. It is really 

 grand and imposing. Meanwhile the citizens continue their 

 monster processions through the town, shooting, firing their 

 guns and pistols, fuses and crackers, eat, drink, walk, con- 

 gratulate themselves, and make such an infernal disturbance 

 during the whole day and night, that those who have delicate 

 health must be sure to go away from the city a day or two 

 before, if they wish to escape madness. 



The day ends with many private and official fireworks, 

 illuminations, Bengal fires, and the like. 



In a certain way this celebration of the day of indepen- 

 dence is a very good thing. All men require holidays and 

 ■changes, and what day could have been better chosen than 

 this, the day which made them all free. 



During the elections, which take place every four years, 

 and lasts several weeks, processions with all sorts of flags and 

 banners, with their bands of music, decorations of houses, etc., 

 are indulged in as on the fourth of July, with the only 

 •difference that sometimes two rival processions meet, and a 

 free fight takes place ; but of late it has seldom come to that. 



As soon as the nomination of the President is made, all 

 is quiet again, and everyone returns to his occupation. 

 Although it is expected that all the offices will be given to 

 the supporters of the new President, it is accepted by all as 

 an accomplished fact without mental reservation. 



The citizen who was yesterday a President, a Minister, 

 a Postmaster, etc., will return to his ordinary occupation, and 

 will be replaced by the new one. 



I only wish that in Europe, in Central and in South 

 America, and in other parts of the world, all those who 

 occupy governmental offices had the same philosophy. 



Fires used to be frequent enough during my stay in New 

 York, and have contributed to the formation of several brigades 



