Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1856-05-03

Oh! what contrast with our cities, particularly
New Orleans, where even the dangers of the night
are scarce guarded against.
Visited the Palas de rIndustrie several times.
The building makes a fine appearance, situated in
beautiful portion of the Champs Eysees 1t is
built of stone, the exterior beautifully decorated,
and the roof of iron and glass. 1t has twenty.
eight doors for entrance. The interior is well
arranged and well adapted to its purpose-prcsent
ing in every sense of the word, an exhibition d
the industry of all nations.
Having love for my country, and pride that
she should be among the first, I naturally looked
around for her contributions-but alas my search
was almost in vain. Her flag, is true, was dis
was not well filled. Oh! blus he'd for my native
and-not that she sinferior to aug, ifproperly rep
resented, but that there was nothing here to show
her real solid WORTH nothing to convince the world
of her advanced state and superiority.
The original building being too small, another
was annexed, which is full mile in length, used
for the exhibition of machinery and all other
heavy articles. There we saw few pieces of ma
chinery from New York, said to be the finest spe-
cimens of the kind on exhibition.
l have been much pleased with the exhibition,
which, thong, the prospects were not good at the
opening, still ii has succeeded admirably; and upon
the whole is fine affair and reflects great credit
Oh the Emperor
Visited the legislative hall; and devoted one day
to Versailles, situated on the Seine, quite near
Paris, and containing population of twenty thou
sand. The palace which we went through is GER
tainy magnificent in the Interior and walk through
the immense chambers was exercise enough for
one day. Marie Antoinette was the last who lived
there. Since then it has been converted into a
museum of fine arts. It contains some splendid
paintings collected by Louis Philippe. The finest
and most interesting are those representing the
various campaigns of Napoleon. The last days
passed there by poor Marie must have been pro-
ductive Of great misery to hers surrounded by
her three little children, she listened to the cries
blood. There is pretty little chapel attached, in
which Marie was married.
Versailles is indeed charming place, and only
a number Of visits can suffice to give one any idea
of its many attractions. The water-works there
are considered the finest in the world.
Have been to the opera several times and was
much pleased. The acting and singing were Ger
tainly very fine, and yet not much superior to that
in New Orleans.
The restaurants in Paris are generally good,
though the cooking is perfectly tasteless. Ihave
heard much of French cookery, but as far as l can
judge, it applies strictly to Creole cooking of
Louisiana. The finest restaurant have tried is
" Hotel Lafitte." A splendid large saloon, capable
of seating at one time two hundred persons; and
eight hundred due there daily. TWAS finely fitted
up. Small tables, accommodating four or FIVE per-
Sons, are arranged throughout the saloon, and din
ner is furnished at five francs, including bottle
Of fine claret and glass of Madeira. Walters,
French and English, serve in full uniform, with
l few who merely superintend the others, and see
hat proper attention was given to guests. They
nave some fine fruit, though think strawberries
md peaches are better elsewhere. The latter is
'ather an expensive luxury here now, being seven
ranks apiece. They are large, however, and one is
sufficient. Ladies frequent these restaurants as well
Is gentlemen, and must say approve of it, for
heir presence is certainly apt to render them
quiet, respectable places of resort Adieu
Yours, CoRR1E.