The Sun.
London, England, 1857-08-15 00:00:00

the right of the Pavillon Sully. The entrance
was beautifully decorated for the occasion. The
first object that met the visitor on passing the
doorway was a bust in white marble of Napo-
leon 1., standing on a pedestal of the same
material. On each side was a medallion supported
by halberds—one with the name of Francis 1., sur-
mounted by a salamander, and the other that of
Napoleon 111., surmounted by an eagle, both rest-
ing on banks of flowers. The gallery in which the
ceremony was held is on the first landing over
the ground floor. You ascend to it by a flight of
steps. On each side were groups of ancient sta-
tuary, borrowed from the museum ; and from the
rez-de-ehaussee to the landing-place the staircase
was flanked by the Cent Gardes, dressed in their
beautiful uniform, and who stood so still and mo-
tionless that they also might have been mistaken
for statues. Both sides all the way up were lined
with shrubs and flowers.
About one o'clock the Ministers, the Marshals
of France, Generals of Divisions,
and great func-
tionaries of State began to arrive. Marshal Pe-
lissier was early in attendance. He was at once
recognised. His hair, white as snow, cut close,
and contrasting with his black eyebrows and
moustache, dark eyes, face bronzed by the sun of
Africa, and determined expression of countenance,
have long made him familiar to the public. He
was dressed in his Marshal's uniform, with the
Grand Cordon of the Legion of Honour, the Star
of the Bath, the Crimean medal, and other nume-
rous orders. Marshal Bosquet, who, by the way,
is growing rather bulky, followed soon after, and
Marshal Canrobert, short, bulky, and good-natured
looking, his face, as usual, uplifted, and his eyes
continually in motion, as if the gallant Gascon was
anxious to have a chat with every one they lighted
upon. At half-past 1 all the great personages of
the day had arrived. Exactly at 2 o'clock the
drums beat to arms as a signal that the Emperor,
punctual to a moment, as ever, was approaching,
and a cry of " Vive l'Enipereur I" from the
crowd below announced that he was already
at the entrance. The buzzing of conversation
was at once hushed, and all turned in silence
towards the entrance. %M. Fould, Minister of
State and of the Imperial Household, was at the
gates to receive him. In a few minutes the Grand
Chamberlain called out " L' Emp ereur I" and the next
moment his Majesty, dressed in military uniform,
made his appearance. All stood up, and the cry of
"Vivo l'Empereur" ran through the hall. The Em-
peror was accompanied by the Empress, and followed
by Prince Napoleon, the Princess Mathilde, the
Prince and Princess Murat, and a long array of
chamberlains and cfficers of the household. The Em-
peror advanced to the extremity of the hall, where
a throne was a placed on a platform covered with
crimson velvet, with another by its side for the
Empress, and on both sides fauteuils for the Princes
of the Imperial family. The Emperor invited the
assembly to be seated, and took his seat on the I
throne. Business was opened without a minute's
delay. M. Fould stood up and read a paper, in
which a rapid sketch was given of the beginning
and completion of the buildings, from 1852 to the
present time.
The list was then read of the persons engaged in these
important works, whom the minister recommended as
worthy of special marks of the Emperor's approval.
The names were numerous, and comprised every
e branches. These
mechanic—all, in fact, who
x
class, from the principal architect, sculptor, arid
painter,el led
advanced
in to
ia rse theirworking
r
respective
names were called, and each
per-
sonsec t
received from the hands of the Emperor the Cross
of Commander, Officer, or Knight of the Legion of
Honour. Loud applause followed the recital of
several of the names. Each recipient, as the deco-
ration was delivered to him, bowed to the Emperor
and Empress, who returned the salute most grace-
fully. The Emperor and Empress then stood up,
and his Majesty read, in a firm and distinct voice,
the following address :
. " Gentlemen,—I congratulate myself with you
on the completion of the Louvre. I congratulate
myself especially upon the causes which have ren-
detect it possible. In fact it is order, restored
stability, and ever increasing prosperity of the
country which have enabled me to complete this
national work. I call it so because the Govern-
ments which have succeeded each other, have
made it a point to do something towards the com-
pletion of the Royal dwelling commenced by
Francis 1., embellished by Henry 11.
"Whence this perseverance, and even this popu-
larity in the building of a palace ? It is because
the character of a people is reflected in its institu-
tions as in its customs, in the events that excite its
enthusiasm as well as in the monuments which
become the object of its chief interest.. Now France,
monarchical for so many centuries, which always
beheld in the Central Power the representative of
her grandeur and of her nationality, wished that
the dwelling of the Sovereign should be worthy of
the country, and the best means of responding to
that sentiment was to adorn that dwelling with the
different masterpieces of the human intelligence.
" In the middle ages the King dwelt in a fortress
bristling with defensive works ; but soon the pro-
gress of civilisation superseded battlements, and the
produce of letters of the the arts and science took
the place of weapons of war.
" Thus the history of monuments has also its
philosophy as well as the history of events.
"In like manner that it is remarkable that at
the time of the first revolution the Committee of
, giving the last blow to
h
Public Welfare shorll have continued, without
being aware of it, the work of Louis XI., of
Rt
ie feudal system, l
to learn in carrying out the system of
unity and centralisation, the constant aim of Mo.
narchy—in like manner is there not a great lesson
sboyef
shtLoe
liondti:insagnXtd hleVi e a
of Henry IV., of Louis
XIII., of Louis XIV., of Louis XV., of Louis
XVI., of Napoleon, as i egards the Louvre, adopted
by the ephemeral power of 1848 ? One of the first
acts, in fact, of the Provisional Government
was to decree the completion 'of the palace of
our Kings. So true is it that a nation draws
from its antecedents, as an individual derives
from his educa'ion, ideas which the passions of
a moment do not succeed in destroying. When
a moral impala) is the consequence of the social
condition of a country it is handed down through
ceit'litrerent forma of Govern-
ment,strie6, and througek (.- . •, 4
view attainen,
until the object in
" Thits the completion of the Louvre towards
which I thank for your co-operation, given with so
much zeal and skill, is not the caprice of a moment
conceived for the
but is the realisation of a
glory, and kept alive by the instinct, of the country
for more than 300 years."
The whole ceremony lasted about
three-quarters
of an hour. The Emperor and Em press descended
from the platform and returned as they came, their
•
Majesties bowing ou both sides as they passed down
the gallery ; and, amid cries of " Vivo l'Empereur,
Vice l'lmperatrice," and a few of "Vive le Prince