The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-07-12
From the New-York statesman.1
LETTERS FROM EUROPE No. LYYTJ
PERE La CHAISE

EIE z LII C1f.1ISE.
Our casual attendance at the inter-
ment Of Gen. Foy, and subsequent Wis.
1t on day more favorable for observa.
lion, afforded US "a full opportunity OF
examining the cemetery of Pere La
Chalse, which is the great repository Q!
the dead at Paris, and reflects infinite
credit upon the city, as we'll as upon
the character of the French people -
In all respects it very far surpasses any
thing of the kind l have ever seen, and
the design strongly recommends itself
to the imitation of all great cities.
Pere LA Chaise is in the eastern su-
t'Mrbs OF Paris, situated upon the decliv-
lty of Mont Louis, about three miles
from the centre of the city. The GEN.
etery was commenced in 1904, under
the auspices of Napoleon, and the su-
perintendance OF NJ. Brongniart. liz To-
cation is charming, commanding full
view OF Paris and It's romantic enVirons
ihe enclosure comprises an area oil
atout seventy acres, Oh surface so
bIoken and diversified, as 10 embrace a
gieat variety of natural scenery-rocks,
hAls. and deep wales. IN many places
tie ACTIVITY is so steep, as to render
terraces and flights Of steps necessary.
The whole is encircled by substantial
and handsome fence. 10 front, there is
semicircular recess, with lofty por-
tals conducting to the principal ave-
nues, which are wide gravel walks, aud
extend by the chapel to the extremity
lof the grounds. The gate is finished in
Ia style Of architecture, and with orua-
iments suited 10 the place, bearing over
the top Latin version of the following
passage from the book of Job Sc For
kno7U that my Redeemer hpeth, and
that / shall rise from the earth in the tat
ter day." On the right, are inscribed
the words of the Evangelist" For he
that belieOeh III me, though he.osere dead,
shall HVe ::"-aud on the left of the gate
is another in cription equally appropri-
ate" Their hope Is full Of in,mortality.' .
Such is the entrance 10 this great
receptacle of the dead: and surely
nothing can be more chaste in design
or more consonant with the spirit Of the
Christian religion. Here are no affairs
erected "to the unknown God"-nO
evidences of those atheistical or deisti-
cal notions, which French philosopher
have been accused of entertaining
The area of the cemetery is beautifully
shaded with cypress and other ever
J greens, amidst the lively verdure o
which, the white marble monuments ant
tomb-stones, in every possible form anc
wrought with much elegance, produce
the finest and most picturesque effect
10 some cases solitary shrub hangs il,
: sombre tresses over grave while il
) others, the monumental marble is com
: pletely embowered by the greer
branches. Every stone, every plant
D every turf is adjusted with perfect taste
But the most striking and interesting
Y features in the cemetery are the it'll
] marks of remembrance, feeling, an
D affection which the French manifest 70
. their departed friends. Every variet,
: of ornament has been devised to deco
rate the tombs. Most of them are en-
!. closed by a neat railing. Sometime
n miniature temples have been erected, a
others, boquets of flowers are place
e under glass covers, like those used 70
o ornaments of mantel pieces. Profusio
of garlands strew the consecrated sod
d and are entwined among the cypress.
y SO vivid is the image produced by
l. multiplicity of these little decoration
e composed perhaps of the pledges
IS mutual affection in life, as TO seem a
# most to form a medium of Communlc
n ton between the living and the dea
IT Not single grave, however humble
a. may be, bears the marks of dilapidatic
a or neglect; and, what will appear sti
e. more remarkable both in the Unite