The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-09-11

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G.. N.
PARIs July l4th, lS4I
To-day have visited the royal hospital Of the In.
salids, one OF the most imposing public edces at Pa
ris, and accounted chef doeuvrape Of French arch
lecture Peter the Great, called 1.-the finest monu.
ment in the world. Its immense esplanade on the
north, planted with trees, extending wearisome
way 10 the Seine It's dimensions, in height stories
IN the length Of its facade 62 feet and laierally much
more extensive, Its exterior adorned with statues
large interior courts and passages and its magnfcen,
dome, regarded as of the first moroccan Of the
French school, 23 feet in height the raising Of which
was the toll of 80 years all certainly very grand
objects, and worthy of the Grand Monarch who
founded this Institution, Louis le Grand Here the
weather-beaten and war-worn veteran after stormy
passage in the service Of his country with often much
OF his rigging carried away, makes safe and excel
lent habor, and lies quietly anchor for the remain
uer OF ms ilfe with bottle Of wine day for good
Fellowship and, believe, bread Eat discretion" As
walked along the avenues Of the grand esplanade
met several Of these old stumps or perhaps should
say trunks, hobblng along, some on one leg some
on wooden legs, and some no legs at ALL some with
good health and cheerful Within the courts and
passages of the hospital, however, saw but few;
should imagine that of the 1000 for whom provision is
here made, no. more than 1000 or 1900 enjoying
the benefit Most of those probably, who were placed
here during the wars in which the French was in
volved under Napoleon, are now gone to their last
resting place. As passed along the almost vacant
courts thought of the crowd noise and hustle there
must have been there after some of the grand cam
paigns of the Emperor, then, doubtless there were
few spare rooms beds at the hospital Over the
principal entrance is bas-relef representing Louis
XVIII on horseback attended by Justice and Pru-
dence, the statues of Mars and Minerva are mounted
on pedesals at each side Of the entrance and at the
corners Of the pavillions slaves in bronze. Over a
large portico of the principal court is fine statue OF
the Emperor Napoleon From this court is a passage
into large church chapel from the lofty galleries
Of which are hung the trophies of many a battlefield,
some entire. much mutlated, and some mere
rags. In the Of the chapel and centre of the
whole range Of the edfce, rises the gilded DOME al
ready mentioned, announcing 10 the traveller from
aar the presence of the capital 1t is covered with
gilt lead, and, both in its exterior and interior, IS GER
ainly very magnificent but for want Of simplicity,
less pleasing to my eye than the great dome of the
Capitol at Washington. Within the large area be-
meath the dome, is monument Turenne one of the
finest specimens ofsculpture have seen. Never in
deed, have seen the majesty Of overwhelming sor-
row wildly expressed in marble as in two figures
in sitting posture, at the base of this monument 1t is
surmounted by a statue representing the hero lying
PROSTATE in the last agones al the moment of victory
and above him, the figure of female, holding gar
land over his head. should not neglect to mention
that beneath the dome, to be in progress
the works consequent upon the reception of the ashes
of Napoleon within this venela able edifce.