The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-02-24

the arts, and which is open to the public
several weeks Strangers are allowed to visit
the entire collection simply on exhibiting
their passports. At our first visit, we spent
an entire morning of three hours and half
in just aoalking through the various apartments
preparatory to more deliberate future visits.
These visits were made as opportunity oc-
CURED ; but it would be altogether useless to
attempt to give any just idea Of such place
by mere description. -
Next came the Pantheon, a rich stone edifce
of imposing architecture, and standing on one
| of the most elevated and commanding positions
which the city affords. 1t was erected as o
monument and place of sepulture for distin-
guished men, at the expense and under the
direction of the government. On tablets,
fixed in conspicuous place. are the names Of
those who fell during the three days" in
the last revolution. Just at the base of the
lofty dome, are four finely executed paintings,
one Of which represents death, not as .
hideous skeleton, but as a stern yet very re-
spectacle looking angel; another-France
mourning for her sons; third, Napoleon in
the arms of Glory and a fourth figure of
Justice with her emblematic sword. In the
crypt beneath we stood by the tomb and
statue of Voltaire, Of course with interest, al
though with little pleasure in calling to mind
his character. Poor man small indeed is
the place which he now fills in the affections
or even in the thoughts of the living world.
There too was the tomb of Rousseau who
had some more amable traits. In one end Of
the monument there are bronze doors, one of
which is partly open and hand and arm, are
thrust out holding q torch. to signify that
even from his tomb he is still giving light to
the world. The symbol struck me forcibly,
however might dissent from the opinion it
was intended to express.
We assembled to the top. The interior of
the dome is rendered beautiful by a vast,
finely executed painting which covers its
entire surface, and represents different periods
or eras of French history: viz. those of Clovis,
Charlemagne, St Louis TX and Louis XVIII,
in four groups. 1t was executed by Gros,
who was made Baron for the taste which he
displayed in the performance. The view
from the top of the dome is truly splendid,
and enables one to get a perfect idea of the
position and size of Paris. You look over
all the city, not covered like London with a
dense cloud of smoke, but seen through a
fine, clear atmosphere. And then beyond the
city wide extent of picturesque country is
clearly visible and at distance of some
miles, you observe the line Of fortresses with
which they are surrounding Paris against
another visit of the Allied Powers, or any
other unwelcome visitors. The Pantheon is
situated in very interesting neighborhood.
In front of it is rEcole des Droights-the
w-school, In the rear is the ancient church
of St. Geneveive. especially interesting to me
as containing the tomb of Pascal. stood
before his monument, with feelings of ad-
miration and reverence for the great and good
few lights that have beamed forth upon the
world from the darkness of the Romish
church since she became SO thoroughly corrupt.
Near this church is rEcole Polytechnique,
which has long been famous. On the right OF
the Pantheon and Immediately adjoining, is
the College of Louis lie Grande with its
library and just beyond this the Sorbonne.
whose renowned Doctors were the marks
against which were directed the keen satire
and irresistible arguments of the Provincial
Letters. On the left was the College of Hen
ri Nv, occupying buildings which were of old
convent. In this College the Princes Royal
| have been educated. In short. this quarter OF