The lynx. (Panola, Mi. [i.e. Miss.]) 1845-1845, 1845-09-13
CATACOMBS UNDER THE CITY
OF PARIS.

OF PARIS.
From Galignani's new Guide TO the
c'y of Paris we gather the following
iacts. Immense quantities Of building
stone have been for many years exca-
waited underneath the foundations Of
the city. This process is still going
on, producin annual materials worth
nine millions Of francs, and employing
four thousand workmen. The exca
vations al the present time occupy one
sixth Of the sub-surfacc Of the capital.
The galleries which have been traced
under he public ways are in length
| upwards OF twenty five thousand me-
tres. The thought of converting the
quarries into catacombs originated
with Mr.. benoir, lieutenant general Of
the police. A decree for this purpose
was issued in 1894. The ceremony
Of consecrating the catacombs was per-
formed with great solemnity on the 18th
Of April, 1876. Many cemeteries in
various Parts Of the city were now
cleared, and their bones removed 10
the catacombs. At first they were hea-
ped up without any kind of order; but
in 1910 regular system Of piling up
the bones was commenced. Openings
we're ma . to obtain air, channels were
formed o carry off the water, steps
were constructed from the lower to the
uper excavations, pillars were erected
10 support the dangerous parts Of the
roof, and the skulls and bones built up
along the walls. The staircase lead
ing down 10 the catacombs consists Of
ninety steps.
About two hundred yards from the
bottom of this flight is the vcstibule OF
octagonal form, with stone pillars, and
latin inscription. On entering the door
there stretches before the spectator q
tong gallery, lined with bones from
the floor to the roof. The arm, leg
and thigh bones are in front, closely
and regularly piled together and their
uniformity is relieved by the rows Of
skulls--ona at the bottom, one in the
middle and one at the top, in throo oe---
tinuons lines. Behind these are
thrown the Smaller bones. This CALLER
conducts to several rooms, resembling
chapels, lined with bones variously ar
ranged. These cbapels contain hume
rous inscEi ptions; one is called Tenn.
Beau de la Revolution, another the Tom
beau dce Fictimes, and they contain the
bodies Of those who persisted either in
the early period Of the Revolution, or
in the Massacres Of the % and Sd of
September. A faint Wondering smell
is perceived, but not to any unpleasant
or dangerous degree. A cabinet has
been formed Of a pathological asemb-
lage Of diseased bones, scientifically ar,
ranged Admission has Of late been
strictly interdicted, on account Of the
dangerous stale of the roofs ofthe quar-
ries. It is an illustration of the char.
acter Of The French people, and ofthe
rapidity with which the mind throws
off appalling Impressions, that the AL.
bum which is here kept contains hume
rous miserable witticisms and profit
gate Dravados But how striking the
reflection, how significant Of the truth
that the successive genera tons Of mel
are mere shadows of phantasms, tha
the gajety and spIendor Of that proud
capital are exhibited on the surface o
an immense charnel house, containing
the remains of more than three mill
ions of human beings.
THE RINGS OF SATURN