Baton-Rouge gazette. [volume] (Baton-Rouge, La.) 1819-1856, 1845-01-04


There lived in Paris, not very long since,
d distinguished man, whose talents had made
his fortune, and who, Notwithstanding The
rapid change of his condition, still preserved
bis plain and modest way Of living. Tue il.
l~ustrlous Percier, the architect 50 renowned,
who, from the close Of the revolution
throughout the reign Of the consulate aud the
empire, under the restoration, and after the
reyoIu ion ofJuiy, erected the most feGiarka-
bic monuments which adorn Paris. Percier,
member OF the Institute, and officer rose eroix
Of The Legion Of Honor. II ever the PfoQerb,
the coat does not make the man, was afptica-
bic TO any one, certainly it was to him. This
learned man, honored by all artists and men
Of taste, dressed palmer than the most oldIna-
ry private individual. An old riding coat,
buttoned up to his chin, D white cfaQat, tiglf
pantaloons, which he had substituted with re.
greet for short breaches, a fantastlGal hat, and
coarse shoes, was his invariable costume
lean and bent over from labor, he was often
seen giving his arm to a man clad with a
kind OF ''rechefche,' Joyous countenance, and
figure approaching embon-poibt, the coudis-
ciple and intimate friend OF our illustrious ar
chitert, himself a distinguished architect also.
This friend was Fontaine there 60 Orestes
and Pylades, said people as they passed and
in truth these men were allied by the most
holy friendship. Percier divided his labors
- emplumentB with Fo1taine Fontaine all
ways budrV~ ~ - ,,d thi, ttoEta
participation lasted until PyyiiaadReg VIZ taaBls !. r9eie
torn from Orestes- Percier is dead.
These two artists, intimate friends Of my
father, had an cxpressible charm when rcla-
ting incidenfJ Of the past having Witnessed
The tempest Of the revolution, and our latest.
monarchy, they had seen much, and what ID
more, retained it. SO whenever | had the
pleasure Of hearing them converse, was all
eyes and ears, and was afraid To- open my
mouth lest | might interrupt them.
remember one evening my father took me
with them to visit Percier in the modest a
partment he occupied in the Louvre Fon-
tame was with his friend my father, pupil
Of the great painter David, had seen and re-
m~embered a great deal. III is interesting to
hear three artists engaged IN conversation !
! listened attentiyety.
From the revolution Of 93, they passed on
to the consulate, aud gradually to the beautl-
full years OF the ennplfe.
''rell me, my dear Fontaine," said my IA
Their, how it happened you never executed
this fne plan here and my father pointed 70
an admirable sketch, III a plain frame, beneath
which was written-"Thc Palace Of the King
of Rome"
'.Ah! ah p replied Mr.. Fontaine, "ehat IS
a story you demand, my dear Bevoll; a sin.
guIar story, for truly if The palace has remain
ed only in its outline until now, tits owing,
without contradiction, as much TO the little
cause | am going TO tell you, as to the result
oil the war with Russia, and all that followed
after"
"We l%isten," replied We, in chorus and
NJ Fontaine, with that conciseness, that en-
tralnenent which characterized his words,
began.
'IIardly was the young Prince born, who
was to inherit SO much glory and power, VINO
to use the poetic expression Of Beranger, had,
uns couroune pour 6ourtet, and who died SO
young, captive and unhappy, in the arms OF
his grandfather hardly was this child born,
when his father conceived the idea Of con.
stfncting a palace for him on the heights OF
ChailIot, overlooking the Seine, and the dus-
ty arena of the Champ de Mars. Napoleon
wished from the balcony of this palace the
child of Destiny and Of Victory, should see
maneuyre the valiant Dhalanxes who had,
with robust hands, erected the throne which
he should one day mount he also wished his
son to be familiar with the noise of arms, and
The sports of combat, as soon as he learned to
walk.
"One morning was sent for to the palace
of the Tuileries, and found Napoleon alone
in his cabinet. After giving him an account
of the state of different worksl was erecting
by his orders, in concert with my good Percieri
the Emperor, asked abruptly, Eh bieni Eon-
tame, our palace Of the King OF Rome!
"olr,t | replied we have purchased and de-
mofished all the buildings which covered the
ground upon which you designed 70 construct
the edltice.
"AIl!-Yesterday | saw, when returning
from R~ambouillet, a small house standing yet
Ia kind of CABIN
"Yes, sire,a miserable barrack filling in ru-
ms, and worth at the most $40 francs, lnclu-
ding the ground and all4"
so whom does it belong"
so 2 cooper Of Challiot, named Pierre
Jauber."
slt belongs 10 a mcdaniel repeated the
Emperor
.Yes, sir"
Then you viii pay him a thousand
francs"
Il bow without replying. Napoleon re-
sumed"
I'VE will end our interview now, my dear
architect; / must go to the Council Of State.
Finish promptly the works already anne
ced, so that Ne may undertake others. |
have great views tor Paris; [ wish to say, too