Jasper County Democrat, Volume 2, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 December 1899 — A Choir Boy of Paris. [ARTICLE]

A Choir Boy of Paris.

To become a cboir-boy In Paris yon must be either one of two things—the pupil of one of the ecclesiastical schools in the city, or a youth of exceptional gifts as to voice and recommendations from the world beyond the shadow of the church. The scholars of the monks are the more favored ones, and from their ranks are supplied nearly all the vacancies occurring in the many churches of the capital. Besides standing high in his class, the applicant for altar honors must possess a good Voico and one capable of very high cultivation. The salary given to the boy singer Is merely nominal, but occasion for generous feeing on the part of an impulsive and highly emottonal people makes his earritags considerable, often running np to $lO a month for the best singers. The costumes worn by the boys during service are most, elaborate and costly, the colors varying from a pure white through red, violet and blue. Ifed Is much In vogue, as its richness harmonizes splendidly with the golden ornaments of the altar and throws elf to advantage the rays of light from the surrounding candles. Special colors for the cassocks, shoes and head-gear are reserved for particular churches and certain* saints; blue is sacred to the Holy Virgin, add la never worn except in her honor.—Woman’s Home. Companion.