Washington sentinel., 1853-10-07
st. Ciopd.-The Tomb of Lafayette--Pere La
Cnaise, &c.

The following notices of these very interest
ing places are taken from a letter written by
citizen Of Washington to friend He saws:
| haye just returned from gratifying visit
to the Village and palace of st. Cloud, and to
portion of the grounds attached to the palace.
This palace is now the summer residence of
the present emperor and empress OF France.
1t is about six miles from Paris, and, on ac-
count of its historical associations, is one of the
most interesting places to visit in the environs
of the city. twas one of the favorite chateaux
of Napoleon; and it was here, as you may re-
member, that he effected his grand coup a. etat
in November, 1899, which placed him at the
head of the government of France. | have
been in the very room where this was done
st. Cloud was iavorite place of resort, too,
of the unfortunate Marie Antoinette who caused
many of the buildings to be erected. Henry III,
of France, was assassinated here by a monk
named Clement The park is beautifully laid
out, and is adorned with statuary. The in
terror of the chateau is finished in elegant STYLE
The rooms are richly ornamented with gliding,
and the walls of most of them are covered with
splendid paintings. The furniture, of course is
all OF the most gorgeous character-splendid
mirrors, chairs covered with satin embroidered
with gold, and vases of Sevres porcelain, that
fortunes could not purchase. BY the way, |
have also visited the small village of Sevres,
lying contiguous to the town of St. Cloud, where
this costly porcelain was manufactured, and
seen there all the beautiful specimens Of the
various kinds of porcelain, that are better made
in that establishment than at any other place
in the world.
But the most interesting place to me that /
have yet visited is the tomb of LAFAYETTE.
There is a small private cemetery, called Pic
kalop TO IL,
sion of the DANES des iSacyes Ceurs," and
within the enclosure of the convent walls
in this cemetery repose the remains Of Laiay-
cite, one of the purest statesmen, the friend of
Washington. A plain slab of black marble
marks the spot where he reposes--and by his
side a similar slab shows the resting place of
his wife. The two slabs are Joined together,
and incline from each other IKE the roof of
house cross, sculptured upon the ridge
of their junction, indicates their unity. Near
them are the remains of their son, George
| Washington Lafayette, a daughter. and several
other members of the family. Their resting
| place is in corner ofthe cemetery, and plain
iron railing incloses their simple monuments.
The remains of several other noble families are
also inferred in this small cemetery of Picpus.
Speaking ofa cemetery at Paris, it is not adj
miSsibe TO leave unmentioned the cemetery of
| CeHlcitTltS--J cJt fu ONufSS-lHc HrSt place
that all strangers here think of visiting. con.
fess that ! was rather disappointed in it. 1t
does not compare, in point Of natural beauty.
nor in monumental sculpture, with our
Mount Auburn, or the Brooklyn cemetery or
Laurel Hill The prevailing style of monument
| is small chapel, of a single room an altar
| being erected In 1T, with couple Of chairs on
each side for the disconsolate mourner to kneel
on, whilst Offering up prayer to the Holy Virgin
for the soul of the departed loved one The
general effect of the cemetery is altogether too
| metropolitdn and even tho roads through it
are paved, like the estreets of a city, with square
blocks Of stone, Our spirits, when they walk
out of their gloomy day-prison houses BY
moonlight, to revisit the scenes of life, do not
want paved streets to glide through-ther
tastes are more rural, | am sure-and they love
the green sloping banks by the lake, where the
willow is dropping: For such place they would
seek in vain at Pere la Chaise Yet this GEM
etery, from association, and the many noble
spirits that sleep here their last sleep, is the
most interesting place of sepulture in the
world.
We viii leave all the attractions Of Paris in
a few days, and depart for London, where we
shall probably remain week. Afterwards, we
intend to 90 to Scotland, and thence to Ireland
the home of my forefathers, you know--and
we will leave for New York in the first steamer
of the collins Line" / have a great many
acquantances going ont in that steamer, and
have no doubt that we shall make very pleas
ant voyage ] love the sea, and look forward
with much pleasure to the time when i shall be
once more ploughing its wild tossing waves on
the way to my native land. This is proud
feeling, mon ami, and ! hope you may expe
rIenee 1t some of these days an reroir.
sloop Of War Albany--The United States
sloop-of-war Albany lies at anchor in the North
ryer opposite Castle Garden. 1t is said that she