Hannibal journal. (Hannibal, Mo.) 1852-1853, 1853-06-23

NAPoLEONis ToMp

years that the construction of the tomb o
The Emperor was in cotemplaton, varie.
tyoi plaus had been considered, and ma
ny OF them, after having been commenced
were afterwards abandoned as not bein .
suited 10 the purpose intended The crvpt
which was first formed was found not TO be
sufficiently large aud deep, and the enlarg-
ment OF ii required considerable precalI-
tlons in order not to endanger The solidty
Iot the dome. The circular portico limiting
the space, the centre of which was to- be
occupied by the sarcophagus, had in the
ilrst place been conceived without any spe &.
clal ornamentstion, and was intended TO be
remarkable for its extreme simplicity. 1t
was then thought that this construction
being OF such vast extent, ought TO be
ornamented with bas.reefs representing
the civil acts of the Emperor; it was also
decided that the pillars supporting the cir.
cular entabIature should be ornamented
with the representation of different victo.
res.
! The sarcophagus, which is formed of
porPhyry, brought from Korchoka, in Fin
land, is oil an imposing and severe form,
and is completely finished, and bears a most
extraordinary polish. 1t is four Yards lonr
by two wide. Il is lined inside with Cor
sican granite, in order that, lying in his
coffin, the ilustrous deceased NAV, as il
were, repose on materials brought from
his native soil. The tomb is raised on n
foundation OF granite from the Vosges.
The cover, which is supported by wood
work, is brought as near as possible to the
sarcophagus, and has only to be pushed on
horizontally in order to cover it. On en-
tering the church from the south door, on
the Palace Vauban, the Dome de Mansard
is seen at one coup de'aR In approaching
nearer is seen the crypt, surrounded with a
rather massive baIuStrade. From the midst
of marbles Of extreme whiteness, stands up
in bold relief the sarcophagus, reposing on
pavement of mosacS of extreme rich
ness.
Beyond the crypt rises the high altar
this part of the decorations is composed of
colored marbles, which have the most su-
perb effect. The altar is surmounted by
Statue oil our Savior on the cross, Sculptured
bv NJ. Triquetti. Semi-circular staircases,
turning 10 the right and left, lead to the
door Of another staircase, which leads di-
rectIy to the crypt. This part of the
monument, which is conceived in grand
proportions, is turned towards the nave of
the church. On the sides Of the door,
which is in bronze, stand two figures of old
men, composed as caryatides, and by which
it is intended to personify in some degree
the military and civil glory o! the Emperor.
Over the entrance are written the follow
ling lines, which express the last wishes of
Napoleon :-"Jc deSire que mes CendreS re-
p2seat sur les riUtS dc IN Seine an maieu du
Ipcupic franchise que jai taat aimc." On the
right and left OF the open space before the
Ientlance of the monument are the tombs
Iof Bertrand, and of Duroc, worthy guar
dians of the man whom they SO faithfully
served.
The sarcOphagus bears no name inscribed
! on it, and it is that which surrounds it
which gives its Specification to the tomb.
The twelve emblematical representations
of victories, the names of battles inscribed
on the pavement, the basreliefs Intended to
call 10 mind the principal acts of imperial
administration-thiS union Of military and
civil souvenirs, all equally glorious, and in
THE centre the isolated tomb, such is what
CONSTITUTES in its ensemble the monument OF
the Emperor. The ten basreliels of the
circular pCrtico have been executed by NJ
Smart. One OF them represents a figure
in an antique dress, having in front two fe.
males, representing the Roman and CALI
clan church, who are giving their hands &c
each other, and in the corner is man
raising a cross. Under this composition i:
engraved the word, "Concordat" The
other basrelefs represent the Cour de-
Complies, the university, centralisaton
the legion Of honor, the council of state
great public works, commerce, manuiac
lures, and the Code Napoleon.
In the centre OF the chamber, called th
' Chamber de rEpee or de Reliquaire, is
d kind Of cippus, having a compartment o
:, bronze, in the form of cushion, on whc
i will be deposited the sword of AusterEti
d and the interior of which will receive III
n hat of the Emperor, his cross Of homo
IS ! and his crown. To the right and left wi
y be grouped the colors taken in the wars
~ ~ the empire. At the end of this funere
op chamber, which will be lighted by a lam
or lis the marble statue of Napoleon in n stan'
S. ing position, covered with the imperial ma
u tie, and holding a sceptre and the glob
of The public will never be allowed to ent
this room, and the inside Of it will only
he viewed through the grating of the door.
is: [Galignanrs Messenger.
lot An important piece of news reaches us FRI
Cd Italy-namely, that an Italian astronom
is named Pompeho de Cuppis, has practically d
-, covered that that the moon has an atmosphere
Fd he havins clear observed the reiraction o.
on stan 5 rays on the passage Of the moon. Deti
Of the alleged discovery have been submitted