Thibodaux minerva. [volume] (Thibodaux, La.) 18??-1858, 1856-01-26
Familiar Letters from Europe.
NUMBER TW'

PARIS, 1888.
| Dear = Is y Since last wrote to you
have seen something of the great city of Paris, bu
| much, very much remains in store for me. w
arrived here quite late in the afternoon, and m
| first act was to take a stroll upon the far fme'
Boulevard DIES Italiens" among the gay Pa
rsiennes Here was presented a scene of tn
greatest confusion and gaiety. The fine shops
cafes, restaurants large houses, occasional sound
of music, the brilliant gas lights, dense crowds, ant
never ceasing roll of every description of carriage
seemed almost enough to bewilder the observe
who witnesses the scene for the first time. Eacl
one seemed intent upon their own enjoyment, in
dependent of those around, some sauntering along
some seated in chairs furnished deur sous, quiet
" looking on and others taking refreshments
The Boulevard des Italiens," "Capucines," anC
de Ia Madeleine" are by far the most attractive
and are usually crowded until midnight.
In the time of Louis XIV, Paris ceased to be
fortified city, when the walls were removed, ditche
filled up, and road formed entirely around the
city, which took the name of Boulevard, (Bulwarl
Or Rampant and this was divided into Northern
and Southern. There has been another fornec
since, outside of the BARRIERS and they are now
called exterior and interior These spacious road:
are planted with four rows of fine large trees
forming in the centre a wide carriage road, and g
double walk on each side.
The following morning after my arrival, took a
ride through the city, to obtain some idea of its
extent, and the situation of its objects of notice
Then visited "L'Eglse de la Madeleine, truly a
magnificent edifce and splendid specimen Of
Grecian architecture. 1t has the form of pa,
rallelogram, with colorado of fifty-two Cornthian
columns. The whole exterior is greatly enriched
with fine sculpture and the immense bronze doors
at the entrance, are finely ornamented with has
relief illustrations of scripture. The interior is
gorgeous in the extreme-too much so indeed to
be described.
sentinel walks up and down the aisle to pre-
serve order, dressed up in gay uniform, with
sword, staff, and hat a la Napoleon; looking the
very picture of mock dignity and piety. History
tells us that this is the fourth church erected on
this spot, and was begun in 1854, and finished in
the reign of Louis Phlipe-its total cost being 49,
O79,00O francs.
We next visited the "Hotel des Invalides ITO
q great extent-one of the most interesting build
ngs in Paris. 1t is truly noble Institution, afford
ing to old and infrm soldiers, or those who have
done thirty years service, place of secusion and
retirement, where they are well attended in sick
ness and health. There are at present about two
thousand inmates; and as our old guide informed
rs, (who for small gratuity showed us through
he building,) nearly all fought under Napoleon the
great. The poor old mans heart seemed to gain new
ife in conversing Of his great commander. Found
III the apartments devoted to the soldiers neatly
md comfortably arranged.
Previous to the reign of Henry the ", there
vas no asylum for the aged and infrm; and they
we're entilely dependent upon public charity.
During Henrys reign, small building was erected,
which has from time to time been enlarged, until
is now fine snowy edi6ce. Several names
ave been assigned it, until finally the present one
vas decided upon. The church is splendid, but
he tomb Of Napoleon is the chief attraction 1t is
ne of the greatest works of Louis XIV's time, } |
'ithin crypt surrounded by circular parapet. |
bronze door leads to it, over which is placed his
ill with regard to bis burial. "Je desire que
les cendres reposent sur les bords de la Seine au
lilieu de ce peuple Franeais que j'ai tant Anne.
desire that my ashes repose on the banks of the
cine in the midst of the French people whom /
ave so loved.) The tomb is built of porphyry,
rought from Lake Omega, costing 100000 francs.
Strangers may look through iron bars into the
nall "Chapelle Ardente," sacred to the memory
Napoleon, containing his hat and sword worn at
usterlitz; his crown of gold, the insignia worn
n state occasions, and the flags taken in his
iferent battles. Alas poor Napoleon! could he
ave lived and been successful, where would his
reatness have ended? How t'wouId have warmed
is proud spirit, to witness the great devotion and
We that lives, and must ever live for him in the
cart Of every true Frenchman.
was disappointed in "Notre Dame," though
oble old cathedral, it has none of that splendor
hich expected. 1t is immense, but has such a
oomy, sombre appearance, could never force
yself to admire, or even desire to visit it more
an once. 1t is very ancient and generally visited
ith interest.
1t was delightful change, going from there to
lie Palais de Luxembourg The building is
'autiful and the grounds more to be admired than
y have seen. The length of this garden is I
ne hundred and nineteen metres, and its breadth
re hundred and seventy. Fine large trees are i,
anted, forming delightful promenade, which is {
zen for the public from morning till night
The first apartment "la Sale des Gardes" now {
cupied by the Senate, contains some fine statues .
Cicero, Scion, Leonidas Pericles and others. a
Ext la Sale d'Attente," and la "Salle de Mes
GER" whilst la "Salle du Trone." surpasses all in
auty Of decoration. The throne itself is daz- q
ngly splendid-the whole profusely gilt and a
,hly ornamented. Louis Napoleon is here max
, many improvements. We were shown the y
brary, though it is not usually open for the public
is highly adorned with beautiful frescoe paint il
e, and contains about fifteen thousand Volumes s
e different apartments of "Marie Medicis" are 4
1 preserved in tho sfvla of hor -uharo .ro -