The Portland daily press., 1869-01-01

PORTLAND
Friday Morning, January l, 1869.
Notes by the Way.


London to Paris is at present very easy
trip. Some are sanguine enough TO think
that it can still be shortened, and made
more comfortable; for the proposition is nut
forth to construct tunnel under, or a bridge
over the strait of twenty-one miles that di-
vides the two countries, so that the trains
which now stop at the base of the chalk cliffs
OF Dover, or at Calais pier, can continue
across, through subterranean regions or above
the tempestuous waves. Such an undertak-
ing is possible. 1t would only be Thames
tunnel or Menai bridge on an extended
scale. 1t may be well questioned whether the
benefit received would pay for the enormous
expenditure.
There are many routes from London to
Paris. / came by the Dover and Calais, il
having the shortest sea voyage. The steamer
was small vessel, hardly large enough for
the rough sea. The French coast was in sight
through the mist. Although it was a rainy
day, most of the passengers were on deck,
preferring it to the small cabins below. We
were enveloped in tarpaulins, which was
considered an act of courtesy ON the part of
the management, till we were called upon to
pay franc each for their use. On arriving
at Calais the French garde, in their uniforms
OF red and blue, came aboard to examine the
baggage that was not checked for Paris. To-
bacco and cigars above the ordinary quantity
required for traveller being what is partic-
ularly looked for,
The railway carriages are the same as ON
the English roads, divided into compartments,
The road passes through many large places,
Boulogne and Amiens being the principal.
For portion of the way it is by the sea
shore, having view of the English channel.
The country was quite interesting, presenting
many novelties and attractions,-such as the
quaint style of the buildings with their red
roofs, in the various villages, the laborers, men
and women, at work in the fields, the stone
wihdmills on the high points of land seen in
the horizon, their sails revolving with the
wind, and the female gardes at the railroad
crossings in theirglazed hats and blue blouses
as the train went swiftly by.
A residence of three weeks in Paris gives me
the most favorable impression of it, and that
it can be truly termed "the finest city in the
world" If the display of art, magnificence
elegance and luxury can make city attrac.
tive, Paris has all these in their highest per-
fection. On every side you see the evidences
OF improvements that are constantly going on
under the direction of the government
prompted by the sagacious Emperor The
Old narrow streets are made to disappear, anG
their places are occupied by magnificent
boulevards, lined on both sides with spendie
stores, in which are displayed with allurins
taste, all the fabrics of art and industry of th,
French people. The streets are very Clean
The pavements are, great portion of then
asphaltum, the sidewalks exclusively so, arr
constantly swept and washed and carriage.
roll very smoothly over them. Perfect ardel
and quiet, seems to prevail every where. The
"Gdrde" and Police are numerous and th,
many soldiers that are constantly on tn
move seem to indicate that the authoritie
intend to have force enough at hand to quick
ly repress any out break.
If they have any of the usual accompani
ments of the poverty and the misery of larg
cities they are kept out of the way. Biinc
baggars and fororn objects of charity do no
meet you on every corner. The crowds o
people with which the streets and boulevard
are tnronged are well dressed, inteligen
looking and move quietly along.
The omnibus system is as perfect as it cal
be. For six sous you can go to any portion
OF the city, changing from one omnibus t,
another by system of correspondence, S,
called. If the omnibus is full the sign ''com
piet" informs you ofit An Gamer can Rail
way" as it is termed-a horse ralway-runs II
st. Cloud and Versailles. The same car run
on the rails and also ON the pavement, {
iange wheel being taken off and put on as i
necessary. Cabs and carriages are by th
thousand and the prices fixed, so that ther
can be no imposition or extortion.
The improvements which are being mad
IN Paris beautifying it and adding to its al
tractlVeness as they do, are at the same tim
oone with military view. Revolutions bay
always been aided by the ease with wbic
barricades could be erected across the 5orme
| narrow streets, and behind which the nom,
lace could successfully resist the attacks {
the soldiers. The boulevards which hav
spoken OF, are broad avenues, as wide as OF
State street, extending long distances, an
radiatingin different directions. 1t would
very difficult matter for any mob to sto
the passage of troops from one portion of ii
city to any other. In addition to these ii
main sewers under ground are capacioU
enough to allow of the passage of bodi,
of troops through them.
Inc time to see Paris is in the spring {
early summer, when it is in its out-d door ga
ETY.. During the time that l have been hel
the weather has been damp and the su
clouded. Most of the trees are leafless, b1
the grass in the gardens of the Tuileries an
Champs Elysees is green, roses are in bloom
and the flower market at the Madeleine
well supplied with the freshest of floral prC
| ductions.
The tomb of Napoleon at the Hotel dc
Inratides is visited by all strangers, Amer
cans especially, who desire to see the spc
where. repose the ashes of the great Empe
ror. 1t is situated under the dome which
300 feet above you. The crypt is circular an
the sarcophagus is single block of marbl
resting on pedestal of green granite. 1t
in the centre, and you look down into it from
circular wall of marble. A winding stair
case on each side of the high altar that j
erected about the tomb, leads to the crypt
Over the entrance leading to it are inscribe
the last words of him who died at st. Helena
Il desire that my remains may rest on IT,
banks of the Seine, in the midst of the Frencl
people, whom ever have loved"
The tombs of Turenne and Vauban, an,
mausoleums of Duroc and Bertrand are ad
jacent to the crypt, and under the dome.
Our citizens are well represented here
There are many permanent residents, an,
travellers from all parts of the United State
are constantly here. The American bankin,
houses generally have reading rooms for thei
use. Bowles Bros. & Co., Rue De La Pai1
are firm where you receive every attention
and are furnished with all information
They have large reading room with all th'
principal papers of the United States.
The American churches here are the Epis
copal, Presbyterian, Congregational anC
Methodist and also number of Englisl
churches. They are well attended and the,
are great privilege to travellers, who desir
to attend them.
Twas pained TO hear of the death OF m