The Sun.
London, England, 1856-06-16 00:00:00

THE BAPTISM OF THE IMPERIAL

PRINCE.

PARIS, SATURDAY, JUNE 14.
The baptism of the Imperial Prince was cele-
brated to-day, 'at half-past 5 o'clock p.m., in the
church of Notre Dame. A salute of artillery fired
at six o'clock this morning, announced that this
was the day fixed for the ceremony, and at two
o'clock all the avenues leading to the cathedral
Were occupied by the Luperal Guard, under the
command of General Regnaud de St. Jean d'An-
gelY. The Master of the Ceremonies also arrived
at an early hour to superintend the execution of
the programme and the placing of the persons in-
vited, who began to enter the church at half-past
two. A porch was erected in front of the principal
entrance for the arrival and departure of the car-
riages, and two wings in the form of tents covered
the two side gates. On-the square of the parvis
stood two high masts carrying banners with the
armorial bearings of the Empire. Two other masts,
with similar colours, were .placed at the entrance
of the Rue d'Arcole, and two large banners floated
on the top of the towers. The square was sanded
and strewn over With flowers and foliage.
. The appearance of the cathedral was such as to
astonish, we might almost say astound, those with
whose eye it was familiar in its ordinary aspect, and
to enhance with delight the stranger who saw it
for.the first time in its new aspect. The building
had .undergone the most wonderful transformation.
From the roof to the ground the whole pile has
been painted. 'The cold whitish grey pillars were
swathed in crimson velvet, with longitudinal bars
of gold ; and the capitals of the columns were
gilded, producing an effect like that of the light
Corinthian acanthus. The ogival arches, spring-
ing from column to column, if we may use such
non-professional phrase, were painted in very deli-
cate colours, raised by a drapery of deep crimson,
with bees ; and behind was a gallery for spectators;
hung with a lighter coloured7crimson cloth, with
festoons of green leaves, Under this were tribunes
equally inclosed in crimson velVet. The fLior was
carpeted, with space enough left between rowa,of
benches for the; precession to pass up. The light
fell through windows expiesaly coloured- by some
improved process, so as to represent the stained
glass iu which the metropolitan cathedral has been
wanting. Everything that art inspired by zeal
Could do was set at work to giVe Notre Dame the
aspect of a church of the 13ch century. The roof
:was painted blue, with stars, according to the habit
of -that age. Nor is all this fine work to be lost to
the future, for according to the approved success
of the whole experiment, or of part, the plan 1, r
the -internarfeateration of the cathedral is to Le
decided.
In the centre of the transept rose a platform,
six steps above the paVement of the church, closed
bye, railing, with an opening on the side of the
nave. On tlitat stage 'were placed the altar, three
steps higher, the: entrance of,the sanctuary ; the
throne of the Emperor -and: Empress, three steps
higher, opposite the altar; the baptismal fonts,
one step higher, between- the altar and throne; the
throne of the eaa'dinal. Legate a Latere, two steps
higher, at the entrance of the sanctuary, facing the
altar and throne of their. Majesties, with seats on
each side for two canonS'orNetre Dame, who as-
sisted his Eminence. arid the prelates attached to
hislegation. In the eeritre- of the sanctuary, be-
hind the throne of the, Cardinal -Legate, were seats
reserved for the archbishops and
,bishops invited to
-the ceremony, and wild ate to ber each accompanied
by a single assistant.
To the left, on tho stage, wete an armchair, One
step
,bigh, for the Arelibishop, and tabourets for
the titular members of the metropolitan chapels.
To the right and left of 'the fonts were two tables
covered with cloths.
The right table was destined to receive the hon-
neurs (the chrism, dEc.; for the baptism are thus
termed) of the godfather and godmother, and the
left cum those of the Imperial, Prince. Next to
thiS last table was an armchair; on which was to
be depositeetle mantle -Of the Imperial Prince
during the ceremony: Another table, covered also
with a cloth, was placed :at the 'entrance of the
nave to receive the lonneurs of the gcdfather,
godmother, and child, as well as the mantle of the
Imperial Prince, before the arrival of the cortege.
This table was committed, to the care of four Cent
Gardes.

Seats, with cushions, _were drawn up to th