The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-06-10
LETTER FROM PARIS.
JANUARY 30, 1874

The Louvre is among the wonders Of the world -
Ever, body has heard of its magnifcepce; but for
myself, confess had no clear idea of its immensely,
and now can hardly realize the exen, and the value Of
this great repository of human genius | cannot
convey 10 you by words adequate idea of this pa
lace Of taste, but l may possibly transfer TO your
mind somewhat Of the sensations Of my own in the
frequent visits have made to il.
A stranger goes TO the porers lodg presents his
passport-inscribes his name aud address IN a book
prepared for the purpose passes through the court
yard without allowing himself TO be detained mo-
ment by the remnants of antiquity that might at
other time deain him for week ascends side
staircase passes the yestibue of the grand staircase
anteroom and a large chamber crowded
with pictures without waiting to throw glance at
the splendid apartments and stands fer the hrst time
at the entrance Of the grand gallery OF nore than
thirteen hundred feet long, and in all other poets
Of prop. rtionab size. He stands in the midst of
the creation OF the great masters of human intellect
in the most cultivated ages of the world He is
overwhelmed, bewildered-he knows not what to do,
where to begin. IL is impossible the ns tant to
Il I his mind upon ythng lie i. embarrassed with
the riches that surround him. Ii is not in the power
Of philosophy TO give itself up to any thing-aGd IT
is without capacity TO take IN the whole. In this
delrium OF delight, people have been known 10 lose
days. add to make repeated visits without any speci-
hc examination.
But the stranger who can regulate his enthusiasm
last ventures TO take general survey Of the jew
els that surround him. lie throws hasty glance
/ from one sue W Anc oNbtl, Ndss aloNll uONu
/ the hall.
! One Of the first thoughts that he INDUCES regards
/ the liberay OF the French nation. THIS vast pa
lace il warmed guarded, kept in order by numerous
dome sites, and opened grstutousIy for general
animation. lie soon sees that tins Is not merely Tor
| curiosity or amusement Numerous artists OF either
sex engaged at their eases in copying the works
| Of the great masters. At some fsyoriio picture two
or three and even six at time are engaged al this
labor and the strangers att, nton is first directed
the different degrees OF skill with which this labor is
performed. These copies are seen IN all the stages
Of their progress ard Ia every class, f. ~ the
first ,fJrts OF the novice with an instructor al his
side to the DELICATE execution OF the practsed pro.
fe.sor which unskilful eye cannot discriminate
from tho or gnal.
But mere wonder is Of short duration. The stran-
ger after while begins to comprehend the treasures
that surround him. He finds these fourteen hundred
pictures in this grand hall the work of different
artists in different periods Of the art and of different
schools and he learns by degrees to form some dis.
tuct idea Of their various merits, and TO form his
taste and judgmen, upon principles which have been
sanctioned by the concurrences Of ages.
But the great gallery Of the Louvre which con.
meets the palace Of the Louvre with the palace Of
the Tueries IA but section only Of this great de-
pository Of the fine arts. space quite large IL
devoted TO ancient sculpure-other halls TO pictures
OF the Spanish aud Italian masters, rooms Of rides
crbsblo magnhcence 10 the curiosites OF kgy ptan,
Grecian and Roman 20 numerous and so rch that
the very catalogue would occupy months TO under
and, while one entire side Of the Louvre is oecu-
pied with pictures and engraviugs IN one story un-
der the Of the Standish Gallery, and the story
over IT IS devoted 10 specimens models, busts,
statues and relics that are intended TO commemorate
the military marine Of this great nation and Of the
? sea board deiences OF lis coast Another Gallery
} OF modern sculpture completes the collection.
On Sunday the essels OF the artists all remov
ed--ihe doors Of the grand staircase thrown
Open and general admission given TO everybody who
: desires IT. The attendants in full uniform, and
[ some two OF three thousand well dressed and well
behaved persons Of both and all az perambu-
late these extensive halls. There is and TO
: spare and hose pictures which the works Of the
0 artists other days ia part obscured, are
posed 10 examination,
The hberslty of the Government, the freedom
with which II IS enjoyed, the general attention TO the
fine arts which II co mands, the constant subject of
conversation which affords to stranger and native,
and the effect produced by all this the character
Of the people, not without interest to the philo-
So hc observer OF human life As a source OF plea.
sure 1t Is ipsxhau.uble for never be tire Of
1t. Repeat visit often you please there is al
, ways something new. Examine Of those great
pictures as closely you can, your next examina
ton will discover q new beauty. You will be de-
d lighted with your ability TO trace the progress
Of the art, and begin with additional knowledge tn
acquire enthusiasm that will grow with indul-
, gence.