The weekly mountain Democrat. [volume] (Placerville, El Dorado County, Calif.) 1861-1862, 1861-06-22
,The Teuab ef the CsnqusreE.

A tOieIgn correspondent OF une Nsw
York NeWs paid visit to the grave OF Ma
poleOn the Great, and gave the following
description of the interesting spot where
rcp0scs all that was mortal Oi tie con-
quering hero:
The tomb Of Napoleon, long in construc-
tion and now nearly finished, attracts I'M
mense crowds. II il nOw only open twice
n week, and the rush at the time OF e,'F
visit was treInendOllA. had stood by the
side of WellingtOn's sarcOphagus only .
few days before, and then oil was quiet,
only two or three visitors being present.
But where Wellington gnined one battle,
Napoleon gained dozen and the grave
of this conquer0F 0f nations and monarch
Of m0narchs, will have a charm t'r the
million when generals merely VIII be Ior'
gotten. But if | were surprised ut the
crowd and the excitement, ] was no IeSs
surprised at the beauty and splcndor OF
this imperial mauSoleuW. 1t is under the
dome Of the Hotel des lnvnlides, and the
entire space has been fitted up as perma.
nent resting place for Frances idolized
hero. The first object attracting the at.
tentiOn on entering is the altar. In all
my ranlblcs thus far I have seen nothing
OF the kind so grandly magnificent. The
columns are Of black marble, polished to
the brillinncy Of mirror; above is gor'
geous, gildcd canopy and glory, and as
the rays of the sun, softened by the sand.
ed mirror through which they came, fell
upon it there spread around halo OF
golden light that seemed almost TO be III
vested with the presence Of Divinity. .
The tomb is few feet from the steps OF
the altar, circular in shape, and sunk tOa
depth Of eight or ten feet below the level
Of the floor, from which 1t is viewed, and
directly under the dome. It is Of the
purcst white marble, with the massive
sarcophagus in the centre, while around,
forming parts of the columns that support
the floor, are sculptured figures, life size,
Of History, War, Fame, &c. War holds
the sxord, but with the point doEnxard;
History is recording the heFO's deeds; and
Fame grasps the scroll which Is 90 send
his name down through all ages Of time.
The floor represents compass with cir
Gle around the SarcOphaguS, in which are
inscribed the names Of NapOleon's Princi-
pal victor les. But the sarc0phagus was
open and empty, the remains as yet being
deposited in q side room. and can only be
viewed through grated door. On the
coffin lay the E,nperor's cap, sword, and
military cloak. The approaches to the
door were guarded by policemen, and each
visitor, after very brief glance, was hur-
ried away to make room for another Of the
throng. The pressure was intense, ladies'
shrieked occasionally; and men pushed
and crowded as if they were afraid the
dead chieftnin would rise and leave the
place before they could look upon his cOG
Tin. The ceiling Of the dome il finely
painted, and whether viewed in parts or
as whole. this Imperial Tomb must take
first rank for beauty, chastcncSs and mag
nificence, among the sepulChcrs Of Eu-
rope. It's cost must have been immense.
The altar alOne-as stated to me by an
English,nan-cO 4,5OO, 600 francs, abont
5000, 600. France gladly paid for this, but
France il not alone in her worship OF
heroes. pea.
The SCARED veterans who followed Ma
pOleOn through his wars-such as still
survive--are most Of them gathered into
this Hotel des InvAlidcs." The storms
which shOOk the first Empire are over
now, and the work is done. Life's eve.
ming is passing calmly and peacefully, and
another Napoleon sits upon the throne Of
tho first, whose pleasure Is to magnify
their services, and bestow upon them
every needed comfort. And yet could
not look upon these old men without pity.
Educated in the camp, and graduating
from the battle field, their associations and
their thoughts ell relate TO strife and war.
Without cultivation, with no taste for the
delights Of peace, with no chance for love
to thrive in their stony hearts, they yet
adored Napoleon, and for him and his
crown perilled their all. They can eight
no longer, and they arc treading trernu.
lOusly along the borders of the dark Val.
ley Of the Shsdow Of Death. Their idol
was taken from them; but, returned in
death, It IL their highest pleasure now to
guard his tomb, and tell how, under the
guidance Of his genius, and the shadow Of
bis eagles, they conquered the enemy and
extended the power Of France. Poor old
mcni Weak, SCARED, lame and blind,
they bask In the sunshine, wearing the
uniform of the Empire. and seem 70 think
that and their scars are the nOblest Of life'a
laurels.