The Sun.
London, England, 1853-01-31 00:00:00

THE RELIGIOUS CEREMONY AT NOTRE

DAME.
As early as nine o'clock on Sunday morning,
crowds, consisting mostly of workmen and women,
began to collect about the Tuileries, the Elysee,
and the Place du Carrousel. The ouvriers here
and there might be heard indulging in lively and
humorous commentaries upon the great event of
the day ; while the other sex, more curious in
their way, cast wistful looks at the palace, and
audibly expressed their wonder who might be the
persons that now and then presented themselves
at the doors or windows. Children in arms,
or pickaback, waiting with marked impatience for
the coming cortege ; wild-looking gamins, roosting
on neighbouring fences or trees, sported long
beards and smoked short pipes ; while the infantry
and guards deployed in the spacious avenues, or
hurriedly marched past to take up their appointed
positions.
The exterior appearance of Notre Dame to-day
was truly magnificent and imposing. The splen-
did pavilion which had been erected at such im-
mense cost, occupied the whole facade of the noble
structure, and was emblazoned with the armorial
bearings of the Emperor. The material of which
it was constructed was ancient tapestry, represent-
ing the most illustrious men of the 13th and 14th
centuries, enriched by gorgeous hangings, em-
broidered in gold. Above the grand portico were
two gigantic paintings in relief, representing eques-
trian statues—one of Charlemagne, the other of
Napoleon I. Between the two towers which en-
close the famous Bourdon, was a colossal statue of
our Saviour. Oriflammes floated from all the towers,
and at their four angles were colossal eagles with
outspread wings.
The interior, magnificently decorated, and re-
splendent with the light of a myriad candles, pre-
sented an aspect of splendour surpassing descrip-
tion.
The High Altar, which had been removed to the
front of the choir, was covered by a gorgeous
canopy united to the lateral columns by an elegant
Gothic gallery. A platform, overhung by a canopy
decorated with eagles, and surmounted by an im-
perial crown, stood before the altar, and was occu-
pied by the throne and the two prie Dieus. The
seat of the Archbishop of Paris, also splendidly
canopied, was at the right of the altar.
The choir was illuminated by about 15,000 can-
dles, shedding a whole flood of light over the build-
ing, and heightening the effect of the scene beyond
description.
On each side of the edifice were suspended ban-
ners bearing the names of the 80 departments. The
columns were encircled with redvelvet, embroidered
with gold.
As the hour approached for the Empress and her
suite to leave the Elysee, throngs of people w
seen streaming down the Boulevards, the ere
Rue
Rivoli, and all the other principal thoroughfares,
until the whole neighbourhood of the Palace,. and
the various streets through which
.the. imperial
procession was to pass, from the Tuileries to the
use mass of human life,
cathedral, presented one d
ddle of the streets
the only vacancy being thee mi
reserved for the procession, on
ofh side of which
was a double line of troops the army and the
extending throughout the entire
national guard,
distance.
The two state carriages which had been dispatched
to the Elysee for the Empress, arrived at that
palace about half-past eleven ; and after a very
brief delay.were on their return to the Tuileries
with their imperial charge in nearly the same order
of attendance as was observed on the occasion of
the civil ceremony on Saturday. On Sunday,
however, Senator the Count de la, Pagerie, Grand
Master of tie Empress's Household, accompa.nied
her Majesty in the same carriage, and the escort
duty was performed by heavy cavalry.
The weather was exceedingly favourable. On
the first appearance of the Empress the liveliest
curiosity was exhibited by the crowds, who pressed
forward as far as the vigilant guard would allow
them, to obtain a sight of their Emperor's choice,
respecting whose beauty the whole thousand
tongues of rumour have of late been incessantly
occupied. Cries of " Vive l'lmperatice ! " were
vociferated, to which the Empress, apparently
somewhat agitated, replied by two or three very
graceful bows, as the imperial carriages moved
onward.
The procession passed at a moderate pace directly
i