Alabama state intelligencer., 1831-04-06
From the New.York Daily Advertiser.

The Pantheon of Pdris.-Among our foreign ex- tracts by the Sovereign, we mentioned that m the Chamber of ofDeputies, M. Montavet. introduced the project of law to restore the Pantheon to its ancient revolutionary distinction, of being repository of the ashes of the ustrious citizens This is a laudable project, and one which we doubt not will become q law. The French are of noble race-fond of glo- rydesirous of encouraging their people to deeds of greatness, in science, ants and arms
 Monuments raised in honor of the illustrious dead, inspire feeling in the ambitious living, that often times lead to national benefits. Cold and ambition less must that man be, who, when he gazes on the trophy built the grave of departed greatness, does not feel a thrill pervade his whole frame-yea cold as the sod that covers the dead.
 What is it, that makes us admire and respect na- ton Her soil may be fruitful in mountains, valleys and streams, and yield all that is good for man, but 'tis not thatt is the deeds of her sons in science song and war! No people know this better than the French, and we applaud them for it. the honors paid to living or departed greatness, have been ;he beacons which have lit their nation to glory and fame and at this hour in athat mind yalor can achieve France is not exceed by any nation in Christendom
 France has her Pantheon, gland her Westmin- ster Abbey. Both France and England have Maso- ieums and Monuments in var us parts of their coun tries erected by private or public funds. What has America? Where is her Pantheon or Abbeyl- There is no such place: with a few, very few ex- captions, shere is not monument in the vast extent of her demesnes. The lime will yet arrive when d different feeling win be cherished.
 The Pantheon, or Church of St. Genevieve, is at the end of the Rue St. Jaques. The building was begun in 1764 It is in the form of cross 539 feet long, and 255 feet broad. The portal is in imitation of the Pantheon at Rome, and consists of noble peristyle of twenty-two Corinthian columns, each five feet and half in diameter, and fifty eight in height; these columns form spacious porch one hundred and twelve feet long and thrty-six deep, crowned with grand bas-relief: it is ornamented by four Colossal statutes, and the toutensembe pro- duces imposing effect. The front the building wihin the porch, unites the masculine air of the Co., thc, with the beauty of the Grecian architecture.
 The interior of the temple consists of four naves, decorated with one hundred and thirty Cornthian columns, supporting an entablature which serves as basement to the galleries which are skirted with stone balustrades. Above, rises a lofty dome, re- sembling circular temple, formed of fiffy-two pillars each fty-our feet high, supported by crcuIarbase- ment, which rises above octanguar sub-base- ment. This dome is surrounded by one of similar dimensions, which is not decorated by any figure or ornament The total height of the building is t,co hundred and eightytsro feet.
 Some of the pristine beauty of this magnificent structure has been impaired, in consequence of the great weight ofthe dome the pillars which support ed it began to bend and it was only by sacrificing part of it's beauty that the building was preserved from ruin. The purpose to which the Pantheon ,cas and we hope soon to say IS devoted worthy of the mag nifcence ofthe building. It was designed to contain the ashes of those who have deserved we'll of their country. The original inscription placed in front of the temple, but which is now removed, was simple and sublime: