New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1844-12-12
FROM OUR f.sRls CORRESPONDENT.
The CHURCHES OF Pnris.

legends and historic associations form me subject Of
work BY Victor Hugo. This city confirms large
number Of ancient Churches, from among which the
Cathedral may be selected in preference 10 other,,
Is liz antiquity liz 7cissituoes, and splendid pro-
portions, entIie j; 10 the priority OF description.
These temples possess an interest now, because
they were erected ct era called by some the mid
die ngea, but which o;her.-with no just causc
sidering the time and circumstances-de designate as
the dark ages. They contain specimens of s,ataary
and painting, aud the buildings ouch master
pieces Of architecture ns 10 excite the aJmiratisn
Of all who view them. Viii respect &c these arts,
civilization has made little Improvement
Not.e Dame is splendid Gothic structure,
erected on small island IL the Seine called LIE
Gle, and the scene OF many Of the events
toned in Eugene Sues Mysteries Of Paris
The island is connected with The main lard BY the
bridges communicating with both sides, among
which arc two Of the most beautiful of,he Capital
the Pont Neuf and tho Pont Louis Philippe. TIE
erection OF the present Church was commenced in
ll63, on the site of enc bearing the same name.
Pope Alexander iii laid the corner stone. The
completion of the building occupied several centu-
ries. One part was faished in 1928 under Philip
Augustus; another pa,t in 1857 under 81. Louis
and the other in 1872, under Phiiiple Bel. Ire ex
cited state OF Europe at jess periods, the funds
required for the prosecution CT tne CrusaGes, ia
which they were engaged, lli, something for other
generations add 10 beauiify This rand and inpos-
ing structure. In 1904, 1863 ana l7l4 various
Kings added embellishments 10 IT, aud thr Church
therefore exhibits specimens of the cIts for several
centuries. The Grand Altar erected by ORDER
OF Napoleon and adds greatly III The imp )sing efecr
OF Inc interior. Tne front Of the Church ia 100 feet
wIde and The two towers IN front ere 3J4 feet high.
The entrance Is through three immensely large
doors arcbeG IN The goihc style, bur are deeply
carved that when viewed al distance they nearly
form Il semi-cice. The porchss are or sculptured
s'cne, representing Scripture pssseg-s, and must
have required years OF patent Toll 10 have executed
them. fhey may nov be looked upon specimens
OF sculpture Ia the thirteenth and fourteenth cenu-
ries. Incy were intended 10 excite yn;uous i'm
pulses; but as civilization tas cnan2ed our IDEAS
rrspecuDg the manner Of awakening ;nsm, Ihey
would ncr be condemned for exciting different i'm
pTe=sions, for the reason hat applies 10 the
passages OF scripture which they illustrate =
Above the doors Three large windows The side
ones arched, the centre is circular and Of
stained glass. lis diam,er is 50 feet, the sides
Of the Church tso others ia The STYLE and
OF similar dimensions. Between the doors and win
dOws The front q ncI-s in which the statues
oil q kings Of France from Chldibert 10 Philip Au
gustus were placed before the Revolution but IN
tnSt OOtOJSek iNe} were HnuulH.cu ana iHe DlCHts
now vacant. Above the windows are "a long
and sende, columns, each formed OF single stone.
rhey support gallery. Thein,erior OF the Church
is grand and iaposing. LIS length is nearly 4sC
feet. width the middle 143 and the hig n irom
h- floor the point OF the sicIi is lO2 eet On The
sides around the main altar forming senicircie
IS small chapsls containing besides the affairs aud
paintings, windows OF stained glass and groups OF
statuary the masterpieces OF their respective
ISIS. The Organ is 46 feet nigh and 80 vide. The
Church mas several naves and the immense number
Of arches forus beautiful! perspective. My FIRST
visit 10 the church ON the feast OF The Assump-
ion a festival celebrated with ali the Imposing
mories OF the Catholic Religion or he Church, az
its nBlns implies, is dedicated 10 lhe Virgin There
were several hundred at Communion. The girls
were dressed in white, with white wells. Ninout
all was noise ana coniusion-whn line scene was
solemn and impressive. The stained glass reflected
on the floor the brilliant and varied tias, the
altar was illuminated and surrounded by a great
number of priests; male aud female voices accom-
panied BY the organ pealed forth hymn in deep
and solemn cadence, and every thing around seemed
10 address the mind and heart with such synpa
thsing influence as 10 dlBpcse Il 10 contemplation
and devotion.
Our thoughts are carried back 10 early ages
There is the worn pavement floor where thousands
have krelt, and there now in humble prayer, ere
kneeliDg the Sisters OF Charity, the coDsoug angels
Of the afflicted and distressed of our race The other
E,ienne, ST. Gernain, L'AuxeIos, and ST Merry.
Having alluded 10 the Church OF Nore Dame,
as the one possessing the most interest
among the ancient temples, the Church OF ibe
Madeleine may be selected for The same pur
nose ON among the modern cnes. The Modelsine
is built on an elevation Of stone work, faced wnh
marble l3 feet above the level o the street, which
forms basement and is divided into several rooms.
This platform of stone work Is ascended IN front and
rear by thirty marble steps, divided into two por-
tons, somewhat like the United States Bank al
philsdelphia. Tue length Of the Church is 32o feet
and The width 1876. l, is in the form Of a Grecisn
temple ard is surrounded with hity-two beautifully
dued white maI be columns OF the Corln,llnn order.
Their height from tho basement 10 the conice is ~
feet and lhzir circumference 10 feet. They are
placed IL distance from the walls, OF about loieet
The Church stands on square and when viewed
from distance has most graEd and elegant APP
prarance. In front there are eight columns and Tie
same number in the rear They are placed al Il dis
,spcs from the walls of abuuI Is feet ard support
the cornices. In the front placed in inches IN the
wall are TWO statues, the lett CT the door 10 tna'
of st. Louis and on the right that oil 81. fnlhp.
There are Is columns on each side, and IN nlches
in each wall there are Ia statues Of male and female
saints and martyrs In the rear wall also IN inches
are statues of she Apostles Matthew, Mark. Luke
and JOHN, making a total OF "a. They are placed
bstwt en- tho open specs OF The columns ana oil
size to appear when viewed at distance as large
the pillars and those OF TIE roof, is large triapgu.
lar space, on which is scu'piured the "perdon OF
the Magdalrne" The figures ale the Saviour. the
angels OF Mercy arc of Fal,h, Hope ard Charity,
who welcome the retuin OF the psnitent SINNER 10
the path Of virtue. fhe evil passions are also rep
5esented-the, are 10 various DISCUSSES trying &c
dispute The victory, while the Aogels Of Innocence
and OF Vengeance are represented as driving them
aNny. The principal door Is So feet b'gh and 10
vide II is OF bronze and on are eneravsn the ten
commandments The fault aud punishment are DIS
PLAYED by scripturs passages thou shalt not Hi,
:, illustrated by the cesth of Abel and The curse CT
Cam All the others have appropriate ilus irali9ns
Toe interior of the church loas nifcenI. IL has
bur oe nave. On the eit Of The entrance Is chap
ell coptaliug the Baptismal Altar his suTmount,
ed by marble group, representing The baptsm OF
our Saviour by 81, John aud The fountain surround
I'd by Angels. Ca The right is the ,isrrisge Chsptl.
The altar supports group rep'esen iiug the mar
ris qs of 1he Virgin. There ere SIX o'her caapes IN
III enu.ch cont.aing groups OF statusry ano spien
d "a paintings. TIE semici'oalar span above N. N
il psp,e. in ftesco and illustrates passages II Inc
lie o! the Magd4lene. The Kill OF the painter, hs
il the result OF inspiration, has given 10 The hsuf.s
,.,. S,,ehr