The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-07-21

the hot, melting sun, are now converted into
beautiful. cool. shady walks, where one may
sit ut his ease under the refreshing influence
Of the soft soothing brwscs from tho Seine,
and admire the beautiful scenery surround
ing him.
I doub, il there is any place in the world
so beautiful, in every point OF view, Us the
Champs Elysccs." Il embraces tho finest
parks and the most exquisite flower gardens,
fascinating promenades and avenues, spa.
cious level roads for fashionable drives.
magnificent buildings, excellent sidewalks,
comfortable public seats (of recent eonstruc-
tion.) In the midst OF all these are dccora-
tions OF art. comprising stupenduous ale.
gorical sia,uary. emblematical figures, hume.
rous fountains Of varied design, sending
forth their lively strains in every diversity
Of shape aud size. Upon the most promi.
nent point OF all stands the immense 1'r.
umphal Arch. which overlooks no, only the
CHAMPS Elyses," but all Paris. These
grounds in 1916 belonged TO the queen
mother. Marie dc Mcdicis, who caused
several rows Of trees 10 be planted, to form
three spacious avenues, which were closed
nj their extrcmiies by iron gates. and tho
grounds were intended exclusively for this
princess and her court TO drive on, upon.
Another part Of the grounds was after
wards owned by Colbert, and in 1910 more
trees were set out, and walks were formed,
interspersed with grass plots, &c. Madame
de Pompadour having become proprietor Of
the now called l'alais do l'Elysos Napo.
leon," caused the trees all 10 bc cut down I;
but after her death In l7CA. the grounds
were replantcd. several avenues circles, &c.,
were formed. aud restaurants aud Gales erect.
cd. From l771 To 1880 the Champ Elysecs
were the fashionable promenade, beisg the
resort OF the most elegantly atlircd ladies Of
the capital. A sequesiercd avenue 10 the
immediate vicinity was called Alice dea
Venus from its being filed every plcasan,
afternoon with carriages Of rich widows In
mourning, who (being by custom excluded
from the public walks formerly congrcgated
there 10 relieve their sorrow.
In 1918 the grounds OF the Champs Ely.
secs were much improved, and young trees
planted 10 replace those destroyed by the
Co~ack and English encampments, during
isl4 and 1915. The entire grounds cover
"a surface OF 29a,954 yards. Iiy far the
most animated and enchanting part Of tho
Champs Elysecs is the "Avenue dcs Champs
Elyses," which is the hvorile promenade
Of the gay Paririans, as well M the visitors
Of Paris. On Sundays and holidays the
merchants Of oil trades, and working classes of
every description, may he seen here jo~tling
the Lion Of the l}ouIeyards where aristo.
cratic velyets aud cashmere shswls moet IN
close contact with humble mcriDos aud
coarse tartaps aud calicOcs. Under the
shade of the trees are innumerable toy aud
gingerbread stands, and many other atirac'
tIons for the rising generation. Jngglers
and ltinerant tumblcrs attract willing and
ever changing crowd Of spectators while
Punch squcaks his oracular jokes 10 his de-
lighted juvenile audience. SplcndId coffee
houses are scattered among the trees on
either side OF the avenue, which Ia three hun
dred and seveniy-,hrec yard. wide, including
the parks and gardeos The Cirque de /
lmpcratricc," devoted 10 icats of h0ryeInan-
ship, occupies u place on the right 10 the
evening the gardens are brilliantly illumi-
mated and d crowd Is here collected 10 hear
the music Of the bands, and the enchanting
views Of the several lair dausels, who are
brilliantly a,tirod, aud arranged in sort Of
an arbor encircIed with large mirrors. and
prolusely decorated with flowers They
are singers Of no great prcteDsions, but pos
sess rather attractive faces, and sing a style
OF songs to please the crowd, With an ofcbcs'
ira accompaniment.