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


passed before aware, and at IL went in search
Of the far famed cathedral the Notre Dame. This has
been described as the most beautiful church in Chris
tendon; il is indeed a magnificent structure, in
with which any of our largest
churches in America is a very little thing. Up
on its exterior is vast deal Of sculpture and
carved work within also, are thousands Of figures
cut in stone upon the walls, numerous marble
statues, and on immense number Of paintings This
church is 400 feet in length, and las in width in
height from the basement to the top Of its towers it
Is 2O4 II is built in the form of latin cross The
fact that It was full three centuries in building, and
that upon II was lavishea much Of the resources Of
several monarchs, will enable the reader to form
some idea of its magnifcence. Near the eastern en-
tremy is an immense altar and in the opposite, sepa-
rated by nearly the length of the church. an organ
Of vast power and compass, from which, as entered
burst the loud peas Of anthem which ratified along
the lofty arches of the church with the noise Of thun
der and every now and then there rolled back the
swell of the solemn chaunt from the voices Of many
priests around the altar it Jura answering to
the joyous Alps, which called to her aloud"
scarce dare guess how many people might gather
upon the pavemens below, and in the galleries Of this
vast edifce should say not less than 10000 and yet
there we've not in it to day many perhaps would
make respectable congregation in of our larger
churches in the United States. Returning from the
Notre Dame,) entered another smaller, but yet large
church, the St. Eusache, which, in its exterior and
interior, is quite symmetrical and, think, every
way az beautiful, and to me, would be far more
agreeable place Of worship as my mind would not be
lost in immensely of space, nor quite confused by the
multiplicity Of objects within. c. NJ.
Paris, July 9Th, 164l y
To-day in company with some English gentlemen,
long resident here, have visited the most famous,
the largest and most expensive palace in Europe, at
Versailles. OF this palace had read many descrip-
tons, and was prepared TO wonderful things In
all but the exterior, my expectations have been far
more than realized There but one material il may
be said, at Paris and here for building, light coored
soft stone, which in the Of so or 60 years
posure to the atmosphere, assumes dark and dingy
appearance. Net the interior walls of this palace
or floors, stairways fire places &c. &c.
are of variegated and beautiful marble. The length
of the palace, judging from view taken Of the west
ern facade from the park cannot be Less than 500 feet
and forming part Of it invarious connections but
upon regular plain are great variety Of buildings
for various purposes extending from either end of the
palace proper, SO to form large court upon the
eastern side. Among these buildings is theatre and
chapel in front Of these again, at the distance of
half mile from the palace, tho royal stables Of
great extent Within this palace is one vast reposi
tory Of art on the different floors are an astonishing
number and variety Of rooms and passages the walls
Of which, in many even the ceiling over head
quite covered with paintings Of the most dis
tinguished masters of more ancient and of modern
times or are lined on either hand with marble statues
There are paintings Of battles fought and won, of
narchs into their capitals and other Cities of armies
passing rivers and mountains of the administration Of
justice by monarchs to their subjects and Of the
secration and crowning Of the Kings and Queens of
France There are statues Of kings, queens, and
others of the blood royal who lived through period
Of more than thousand years-from says Pepin the
second, who reigned about the year 600, to Louis
Philippe. There statues too of learned men and
Ministers of State. In the bed room of Louis lie
Grand are to be seen his bed, furniture, crown, and
robes of state. Commemorative Of this monarch,
rs well Of Napoleon who each encouraged artists
and had enough to fatter them, there great va
riety of paintings representing them in all their scenes
Of triumph. OF the Grand Monarch there is also a
small equestrian statue Of bronze within, and coos
sal one without the palace the largest believe and
the finest in the world. From different passages Of
the palace one looks into the royal Chapel which, in
It's walls Of variegated MARBLE its gdings and paint
ngs, is of dazzling splendor; in which Louis the
XIvth worshipped and Mason preached. Besides
The rooms already mentioned, there several gale
ries OF long halls, the walls of which all covered
with gilt and paintings Of the most costly kind.
Fatigued at length and my curiosity quite satiated
with this gorgeous display, acceded gladly 10 pro-
posa to rest for little, when of my companions
,aid "lt is estimated that if should pass from OBJ
ect to object and carefully survey all within this pa
ace, he would walk distance Of leagues you are
.lready fatigued and yet have not seen the half
# the objects here; but there is more splendid gal
ery yet come, let us see t-and we entered what
will venture pronounce the most beautiful though
lot the largest, gallery in Europe just completed
Ter the direction and at the private expense is SAID
# the rel gning monarch II is in part of the palace
,aid to have been rebuilt, but believe only repaired
BY Louis Philippe. This gallery, in It's tout ensem-
Die, is indeed indescribably beautiful l am not
Judge Of pantings-sufce il to say that is adorned
With those OF the greatest masters of Modern Europe
Among them was most happy iosee one representing
ur own w ashington and his gallant army at Yorktown.
from the windows Of the palace every now and then
tole glance at the magnificent park in front, adom
d with statues and urns, with ponds and fountains
water, with baths with Of trees of miles in
rtent, and with labarynhs of walks amidst flowers
md shrubbery. Pleased always with such scenes.
where nature mingled with art Ilonged to be in this
ark ere our time should be quite spent. We passed
ut therefore, and our way, near one of the wings
f the palace, looked for moment at very large
rangcry, containing several hundreds Of trees