Middletown transcript., 1869-05-01

While visiting the hospital near Notrt
Dame, woman came in in such an excess
of tears, that every one crowded around
her to know what was the matter. In a
dead body at the lorgue she had just re-
cogniKed her drowned husband, and on
the very day when she came to place their
eldest child In the hospital, because they
were too poor to care for those who could
not work at home. Forsaken or despised
love, starvation, insanity, and murder, all
have their victims at this receptacle for
the dead
A facsimile of the Partsian INorgue is
found in New York City, within the walls
of the Bellevue Hospital, foot Of east
Twenty-sixth street, on east river. One
or two dead bodies are constantly seen in
this first Moryae of the new world. But
it is proper to observe that Americans
and foreigners residing in New York, are
more respectful while in the presence of
the dead, than the residents of the fash
ionable and worldly Paris, who seem so
cold and regardless of the feelings of the
friends about them.
Passing away from this dark corner,
and coming back to the bright quays
which adorn the banks of the Seine, we
come beneath the walls of the ancient pal
ace of Justice and little lower down,
the round peaked towers Of the Conoicr-
gerie-the Paris prison-where the vic
Tins lay, and whence they were called out
DUNG the reign of terror. This is still
on the island The Conciergerie looks
bare and terrible enough from the rivers
north side tho various centuries have ad-
ded to it their architectures, and made it
mongrel which is by no means pleasing
to the eye. Along the quay, on the south
side, there is nothing of particular interest,
save the bureau of police, where hosts of
serycnts-de-viUe are always clanking their
long swords; and on the north, just above
the great front of the Loucre we see the
queer spires of Saint Germain L Auxer-
rois. Between the Pont Neuf and Pont
de Alma, the Seine presents a most Gu
chanting spectacle, especially in Summer.
Being somewhat narrow, it is not a fit
place for any kind of yachting and boat
ing; but there are hosts of bathing-es-
adjustments moored in its waters, all ell
egantly decorated and painted, and pa
tronized by such crowds! Near the bridge
which is ornamented by the statue of
Henry Fourth, there are gardens just on
the waters edge, and cafes, ,eand drinking
places of all shapes and sizes little re-
treats for student and lover; and boats to
be hired everywhere for few sous
Opposite the Tutleries and the palace
gardens the river is by no means hand
some itself; but Napoleon's taste has had
its banks adorned with shrubbery, and its
waves covered with pleasure resorts, so as
to conceal anything unpleasant that might
otherwise drift in view Of his palace win
dows, This river is everywhere of very
considerable width; and the white stone
of which the quays are made relieves the
turbid dark waters most perfectly. In
some places the Seine is light green and
away down at Passy, the waters have
that rich dark color which tells of light
imprisoned within, and of purity even at
the bottom. At night, when thousands
of lights from the immense stretch of city
on either side are glancng in its depths.
and you can see them ftom the twenty-six
bridges which cross this meandering stream
the effect is magical. Artificial as it
may be, it is enchanting, vague, beautiful.
Npw Vopu An,,1 1870