The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-05-22
Napoleon's Tomb.

from Gaignani's Messenger, May 81
The following description of the present state q
the tomb Of the Emperor, will not be without in
terest During the twelve years that the construc-
ton Of the tomb of the Emperor was in contempla-
ton, q variety of plans had been considered, and
many Of them, after having been commenced. wero
afterwards abandoned not being suited to the pur-
pose intended The crypt which was first formed
was found not to be sufficiently large and deep, and
the enlargement of it required considerable precas
tons in order not to endanger the soldity OF tho
DOME The circular portico limiting the space, the
centre Of which TO be occupied by the sarooPha-
gus, had in the first place been conceived withous
any special ornamentation and was intended to 10
remarkable for its extreme simplicity: 1t was thsa
thought that this construction, being OF such vast eK
tent oughtto be ornamented with repro6ene
ing the civil acts OF the Emperor; was also decided
that the pillars supporting the circular entahaturo
should he onamened with the representation ofdier.
ent victories. The sarcophagus, which Is formed IT
porphyry, brought from Korchoka, in Fihlan. Is Of
an imposing and severe form, and is completely
L yards long by two wide 1t is lined inside
with Cor>can granite, in order that lying in hia
g fin; the pstous deceased may "a it were, repose
on materials brought from hiss native soil The
tomb is raised on a foundation of granite from the
vosges. The cover, which is supported by wood
work, is brought as near as possible to the sareo
phagUs, and has only to be pushed on horizontally
in order to cover it. On entering the church from
blansard is seen at one coup d'ail. In approach
ing nearer is seen the crypt, surrounded with q
rather massive balustrade. From the midst Of
marbles OF extreme whiteness, stands up in
bold relief the sarcophagus, Teposing on q
pavement of mosaics Of extreme richness Be-
yond the crypt rises the high altar, sur
mounted by an immense canopy; all this part Of
the decorations is composed Of colored marb es.
which have the most superb effect. The altar II
surmounted by statue of our Saviour the cross,
sculptured by NJ. Triquetti. Semi-circnlar stair
cases, turning to the right and left lead to the door
Of another staircase which leads directly to the Crypt
ms ri nj thp mn vvhi Ch 10 ivo1s
grand proportions. is turned towards the nave Of tho
church. On the sides Of the door. which is In
bronze, stand two figures of old men, composed a.
caryatides and by which it is intended to personify
in some degree the military and civil glory Of the
Emperor. Over the entrance written the follow
ing lines, which express the last wishes of Napo-
leon :-"Je desire aue mes cendres repose'u sur les
rires de la Seine an mleu dm penphe Efaneaise qua
Jjai tom aime.' On the right and left of the omen
space before the entrance of the monument are the
tombs of Bertrand and Of Duroe, worthy guardians
of the man whom they 30 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
reefs intended to call to mind the principal
acts of imperial administrations union Of mill
tary and civil souvenirs all equally glorious and in
the centre the isolated tomb, such is what consti
tutes in its ensemble the monument of the Emperor.
The ten baseliefs Of the circular portco have been
executed by M. Smart One of them represents Q
figure in an antique dress having in front two fc-
males. representing the Roman and Galcan Church.
who giving their bands to each other and in the
corner is a man raising cross. Under this comp0-
stion is engraved the word "ConcOrdat." The 9TH
or bias reEefs represent the Cour des Couples, tina
university, centralisation the legion of honor. the
ulactures and the Code Napoleon. In the centre u
the chamber, called the Chamber de pEpee or dR
Reliquaire, is q kind OF cippus having compart-
ment Of bronze in the form of cushion, on which
ueDOSlted AuStprlItZ.
interior of which Will receive the hat of the Emperor
his cross OF honor and his To the right IND
left will be grouped the colors taken in the wars Il
the empire. AT the end Of this funereal chamber.
of Napoleon in q standing position covered with the
imperial mantle, and holding sceptre and the glCb
The public will be allowed to enter this rocme
and the inside Of it will only he viewed through the
grating Of the door.
The Fine Arts.
The following is extract OF letter from Romes-
MIR Crawford is progressing with his monument 70
Washington which will be one OF the largest wo9au
in sculpture of monumental destination, yet ex-
ecuted-the equestrian statue Of It's great subject
being placed nc the summit, and those Of six othcrS
selected from among the most distinguished Of his
compatiios and associates in the same cause, on pc
destas around, all OF the height of twelve feet and
in the costume of their own time Certainly most o-
poste TO the classlca OF these six two are finished
Henry ard JeEerson--fgures designed with q
power of expression and intense individuality of cha
ractcr truly wonderful. Two relicfs are TO occupy
the fronts Of the poygonal basement under the horso
Of Wilmington the subjects being Abundance and
Liberty with Eternity On figure yelled from head to
FOOT standing between; Liberty with her sym
bolic cap and sword, tramping upon PROSTATE IT,
liant in chains, the epgraph above, Sic sempcr
tyranns Six colossal eagles to stand on pedcs-
tails round the steps, forming basis 10 the entire
structure, Tho idea of the whole is original and
striking in the highest degree. IL has been incoE.
recty stated that the Pope has presented Crnwiora