The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-12-22


Two weeks ago last Wednesday we
crossed that stormy, sickening Channel,
and reached Paris in the evening. 1t
takes but little while here to give one
coming from America through London
the notion of very essential distinction
between popular and imperial cities
New York, or Boston, or London cannot
be quite like Paris. There is In Paris a
unity of plan and a gigantic march of
improv ement, as well as an elaborateness
of execution, that could come only from
the great power of one mind over the re-
sources and interests of all the people. If
Il locality in Paris is filthy and repulsive,
the Emperor knows how to set the ma
chinery in motion that shall sweep away
the filth and rubbish of centuries, and
bring forth magnificent boulevarls and
palaces instead. Thus tue city renews it.
self continually after the imperial concep-
ton. Paris is kept healthy, and amused,
and busy The paternal government
knows how to divert this child people
yes, and how to give them real ground of
satisfaction; willie all the powers Of Il
most advanced civilization are bent to-
ward putting the city in such order for
control and defence that the bloody and
revolutionary scenes that have SO often
diSgraced lis history can never be re-enact-
cd. To-day Paris bears the im:ge and
Superscrption Of the Napoleon dynasty
and where can one look for more-impos-
inc exhibition Of worldly success There
are Great and incontestable advantages in
this imperial regime. 1t secures, in the
hands of an able ruler, that concentration
and command of the inherent power of
society which is adequate TO the highest
and finest results But its dangers are AS
magnificent As its advantages and any
pinnacle OF apparent security and suprem-
acy may be the one from which the trig hit
full catastrophe of greatness shall be ex-
hibitcd. while the restless citizens only
demonstrate anew their incompetency for
| selt-4oternmcnt
! Let Us therefore be content 10 piod
honestly and laboriously toward our
grandeur Let Us accept the heavy bonds
undrr which We are placed to quicken the
whole body OF citizen, with pubic life
knowing that health strength, business.
! beauty and holiness, are depending. Need
we be ashamed of what has already been
realized by us! Of some things we may
well be i;u: upon the whole | think WI
/ need not be discourage,.-rather that W,
ought modcs!ly to hold up our heads ii
the presence of any monuments of earthly
Icrcwn. But humble. AL >tudiou>. ant
public spirited We must he, Or we too vii
realize popular failure and demand III
imperial control,
But AIN sensible OF Il Slight prickin!
in my thumbs as if the dark and horriDl,
spirit of political preaching were comm:
my way. Especially these awful vatlci
nations of what We may come to are
little foreign to my mood. and any phllos
iophy of history would hardly serve IL,
friends instead Of the simple account o
what things have seen. beg them It
notice the brevity of my rttlcctlonS-an'
Ii, 10 my observations. dear me they ar
q, various and engaging a> the many-tintC
Groves | left behind me The boulevard
aud streets are Il study. The crowds tina
tIrong them are a study. The bijoutcri
: with which the windows are blaze is
study. The cafes are q study. TIL
churches and monuments are study
The interior courts and places are study
: The museums are 10 end Interesting An
, if one tires of admiring the finished glorie
2 Of old masters, he may refresh himSe
witt. rough drawings and study the gent
of Michael Angelo OF Rubcn's in thc>
primitive and most original, though ofte
tragmentary productions. The danger
: always Of seeing nothing in seeing ever,
thing: and the thick-coming images an
i iancies need time to dispose themselves
: tie crowds to retire and the royal tigur,
to come forth in their appropriate maieSt,
n 1t is undoubtedly a fine thing to admir-
1 in the right place. But it is q good thin
y to admire in some place-to have a loo,
ciassicus of ones own that ones attentio
may not be utterly frittered away upo
generalties. Indeed for the good of cor
yersation at home | would recommend t
our tourists to be by no means servilc t
the guide books. Let the eve see what
brings the power to see and let ditferer
0 eyes see different things
t But, excuse ne, | ann actually Giving