Paris herself again in 1878-9 . EASTER EGGS AND APRIL FISHES. 275 bantering present, is all but wholly unknown in England out ofthe domains of mediaeval folk-lore. Idiotic or malicious practicaljokes are yet perpetrated among the uneducated classes on the1st of April; and 0, you April Fool! is an expression whichis not yet entirely divested of purport or significance ; but ingood society to make an April Fool of airy one would be con-sidered an anachronism as gross as it would be to attempt therevival of the Berners Street Hoax. The Poisson dAvril haslong since lost its coarseness in Paris,in
Paris herself again in 1878-9 . EASTER EGGS AND APRIL FISHES. 275 bantering present, is all but wholly unknown in England out ofthe domains of mediaeval folk-lore. Idiotic or malicious practicaljokes are yet perpetrated among the uneducated classes on the1st of April; and 0, you April Fool! is an expression whichis not yet entirely divested of purport or significance ; but ingood society to make an April Fool of airy one would be con-sidered an anachronism as gross as it would be to attempt therevival of the Berners Street Hoax. The Poisson dAvril haslong since lost its coarseness in Paris,in the direction of foolingor hoaxing people ; but it has assumed a tangible form as a half. Baptiste, why do you not answer the bell ? Because to-day is the first of April, and I thoughtmadam wanted to make a fool of me. valentine, half ftrcnne. It may be sent anonymously; whereasthe Easter Egg and the New Years gift are personal gifts. The Poisson dAvril may be in bonbons, in chocolate, in porcelain,in lace, in tcrre cuite, in diamonds, or in cardboard; but it isimperatively necessary either that its outward shape should be T 2 276 rAKIS HERSELF AGAIN. that of a fish, or that it should be plentifully adorned with piscineemblems. These dolls, in the manufacture of which the Parisiansare so surprisingly proficient, lend themselves at once to the pur-poses of adaptation for the April Fish whim. A miniature mulierformosa is so contrived as to terminate with a fishs tail stuffedwith comfits, without exciting the ridicule of the recipient; andtroubadours playing on guitars, and with cods head and shoulders,have been especial favourites in the April Fish market this Fil
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