The northern tribune. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1847-1855, 1848-03-02
BATH. THURSDAY MORNING. MARCH l.,s4s
From the Christian Mirror.
MIR. Palmer's Sketches.
No. VII.

Hotel des NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. of the TN.
mates-A suruiUor o many battles-his en-
thusiasm-ertemt Of tho Institution Versai:.
les-past and present condition-tOuching re-
Elections of Madam de GenHs-S. Denis
Monuments Of French Souereigns.
On pleasant Sabbath evening at o'clock,
we went to a small church at Batignolles,
suburb just without the city wall, to hear
Grand Pierre. The occasion was an interest
ing one-the admission of catechumcnts to
the church. There were three males and
four females. The latter were dressed in
pure white, with wells upon their heads
This is after the fashion of the Romsh church.
saw few days before, in one church, two
or three hundred together, all dressed as above
described receiving instruction preparatory to
coming to confirmation. Protestants have
thought it best not to throw away at once
everything imposing in the way of external
ceremony, lest they should too greatly shock
the popular taste. How far they are wise in
this may admit of very serious doubt. The
gospel as purely spiritual system, is beauti-
full in its simplicity; and it will probably be
found, that in strict conformity to the
genius of Christianity in this respect, lies the
peculiar strength of Professionalism. The form
of admission to the Reformed Church in
France is not greatly different from that
which is common among us. On this occa-
sion M. Grande Pierre preached an impressive
sermon, in the course of which he addressed
himself particularly to the candidates. who
arose and stood during this part of the dis
course; after which they assented to the
articles of faith, and were welcomed into the
family of Christ. The sermon was evidently
delivered n,emoriter, and as usual in such cases,
there was something little hard and dcclama-
tory in the manner; it was, however, charact-
erised by earnestness and force, and among
the audience, which quite filled the place,
there was an appearance Of deep interest
throughout the entire service.
One of the most interesting places in Paris
is the Hotel DIES Invalides-the grand retreat
for the disabled veterans of the army, and
beneath the dome of which the remains of
Napoleon rest. went out one evening about
sunset and walked about the place in the
gathering twilight, deeply affected at what
saw. The edifce is quadrangle of vast ex.
tent, enclosing very spacious court or square.
There is fine esplanade in front, with avenues
of trees and seats scattered here and there
and in all directions were to be seen the scared
survivors of many battlefield, one hobolng
with his cane or crutch, another supporting
his wooden leg across his knee, others exhibit
ing the loss of an eye, or hand, or arm, or
some other conspicuous mark of the dread
full strife. l had Just been meditating before
the statue of Napoleon, when saw straight,
commanding looking man, at little distance,
with grey hair and face that spoke of hard
ships. who had left an arm upon some field Of
blood. I walked up to him, and asked him in
French, if he had been with the Emperor
Napoleon in the service. El6icn said he,
as he drew himself up to his full height-Oui,
oui and he added that he had been with
him in great many of his battles. He then
went on to tell me that he had been one of
the Grand Army in the Russian campaign.
and could describe Its terrible scenes from
personal knowledge. I inquiredif he fought
at Austerltz; and he held up a leg and showed
me where he received wound on that me-
morable field. His arm, if rightly remember
he had left at Borodino. AS he went on he
kindled into enthusiasm, gestured vehemently
with his left hand and arm-the stump of his
right, as could not help noticing, moving at
the same time with sympathetic impulse.
told him that had been to the grave of Ney !;