The less important men were the first to organize [p025] themselves. This is already the sixth year of publication of the _Voyageur Forain_,[2] the organ of the syndical chamber of _forain_ travellers, a fortnightly newspaper, published on the 1st and 15th of each month. A notice, always placed above the leading article, informs the readers that “the syndical chamber of _forain_ travellers admits into its ranks all those, whether rich or poor, who honourably earn their livelihood by instructing or amusing the public, or by retail trade.” [Illustration: M. HOUCKE. Manager of the Hippodrome.] The office of this picturesque newspaper is situated in the [p026] Boulevard Henri IV., at the end of a courtyard, above a stable. There I found an extraordinary Bohemian smoking a short pipe, lengthened by a quill, who in himself formed the whole editorial staff of the _Voyageur Forain_. This man of letters edits the notices of the Fairs, the Correspondence, and all the technical part of the newspaper. The rest of the number is composed of articles by the members of the syndical council. They consist chiefly of diatribes, directed against the party of “bourgeois,” who form a separate band, written in forcible language, which renders them most amusing to any one interested in French slang. The “bourgeois,” whose names I find at the head of the first number of the newspaper of the _Union mutuelle_, dated May 8, 1887, were, at the time when the society was instituted: President: M. François Bidel, manager-proprietor of a large zoological establishment, _Chevalier de la Valeur civile Italienne_. Vice-presidents: M. J. B. Revest, manufacturer, part-proprietor: boats (sea on land); M. Ferdinand Corvi, proprietor and manager of a (miniature) circus. I will skip the treasurers and directors, and quote part of the address given to the subscribers to the _Union mutuelle_ in the programme number: In France, men have fallen into the habit of regarding the _forain_ as a being apart, at the outside worthy of pity. However, if we consult our memoirs we shall find that in all ages and in every place great appreciation has been shown for the high moral qualities of this population, which, it is true, leads a peculiar existence, but one which is very honest and perfectly honourable. Are not these men clever, who group as by magic whole cities within the city itself—cities of pleasure, filled with attractions of every kind, which the [p027] public hasten to applaud and admire? Are they not men of progress, these showmen, whose every trick is copied and appropriated in our great administrations? In a word, are they not the pioneers of civilization and comfort?