Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-08-25
NO; Kill.

D.
constitution of 1893, that there retnains
should be .dlsinterred. The exhumatloh
commenced with the opening Of the Bour:
bon Vault and the tomb of Henry ~, who
reigned from 1889 to 1910; his features were
not altered, aid his body was in perfect
preservation ! In the vault of Francis L.;
who reigned from 1915 to 1547 the body
was in the process of decomposition, and
when the tomb of Louis Y who reigsed IN
SO was opened the workmen were pros
trated with asphixia. All these remains
were cast into common ditch, upon which
the grass and flowers OF the field replace
their pompous mausoleums and proud cpl
taphs. Sic transit gloria mundi: During
the empire Napoleon ordered the church
to be repaired, the statuary TO be replaced.
and the vault of the Boprbohs' to be fitted
up as a sepulture for the Princes of his
own dynasty. The repairs executed under
his orders cost, something over four milll-
ons Of dollars The church is one of the
most perfect and beautiful specimens OF
the architecture of the 18th century exist
ing in France. The front consists of an ele.
gantly buttressed and turreted wall flank
ed by towers from which view of the sur.
rounding country for hundred and twen-
ty miles is obtained. The interior is ad-
orned by many fine paintings, statues. sar-
cophsgi, sc. The marble sarcophagus in
which Cha 7emagns was inferred at Aix-la-
Chappelle is preserved in the church-also
statue of him. Among other monuments
here observed particularly those Of Hugh
Capef, Philip y4ngustus, Saint Louis, Louis
XVI and Marie .4nioinclie. Adjoining the
church is the large and magnificent Maisoh
d,education of the Legion of Honor devot-
ed to the education of the daughters, sisters
and neices of members of the Legion of
Honor. 1t was established by Napoleon
and has been rendered illustrious by the
peculiar favor of The Emperor, by whom It
was frequently visited by the letters and
the enlightened cares of its excellent and
distinguished governess, Madam Campan
and by the number of accomplished and
eminent women who have been educated
within its walls. 1t is thus constituted:
The grand chancellor of the Legion pre-:
sents the lady superintendent of the house
to the President of the Republic for appoint
ment and names the other ladies by his own
authority. All pupils are nominated by the
grand chancellor. The establishment con-
s,sts of lady superintendent, six lady
dignitaries, twelve ladies of the first class,
forty ladies of the second class, twenty
novlces, besides candidates for the noviti-
ale and five hundred pupils, of whom four
hundred are taught gratultously and the re-
mainder at the expence of their families.
The superintendent, dignitares and gov
erning members of the institution wear or
ders and decorations corresponding to those
of the Legion of Honor, and retiring PEN
sions are allowed them after certain num-
Der of years. A highly finished education
is given to the pupils, andthe young ladies
who are brought up here receive all the ad-
vantages that can res ult from well ma
tured system of collegiate instruction, ai'
ed by eminent professors of music and Y
fine arts. Three almoners and medica.
staff are attached to the service OF the es-
Enlistment. The rules Of the house are
exceedingly strict without being severe.
All the members Of it wear the same uni.
form-black dresses, and black bonnets and
gloves with white aprons and collars; all
dine together and they are subject almost
to the rigor Of military discipline.
The Grand Chevaler does not reside here,
but in the splendid palace of the order in
the city of Paris, By the by, .Ercelman's
the last Grand Chancellor was thrown from
his horse few days ago and died shortly
afterwards. He was buried yesterday with
great pomp. His vacant Office of Grand
Chancellor, will now devolve by decree Of
Louis Napoleon, upon some Of his toad-eat-
ers. The salary attached to it is enormous
as we'll as the patronage, and every mem-
ber of the Legion Of Honor in France. Of
any kind of eminence, has his eyes fixed
upon it. But my letter is travelling be-
yond the limits i fixed for it. If my time
and space admitted of it, could amuse and
possibly instruct you by relating many i'm.
portant facts connected with ST. Denis-the
town, the Chapel,t the Abbey, the lie d'amOpr
and other distinguished places in the neigh
borhood, but have held my pen till | am
as tired as jade in an overloaded cart.
After spending three days at St. Denis,
we returned to Paris, where now am
caught like fox in gin, bear in pit
fall, or frog in well.
With sentiments Of kind regard,
Yours, truly, j. l.. T.