Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-11-19
st.CIoud.

Dr. Russell has been taking q rlde
around about Paris, and thus describes
all that is left of st. Cloud since its de-
struction by the bombardment and fire
from Mont Valerien:
''The sentries in the avenue are care
fully hiding behind the huge trees. Turn
sharp into side walk just as the vision of
an earthwork surmounted by portion
of fort and the houses of Paris comes
in sight at the end of the avenue; ride
in single file; get view of what was the
Lantern of Diogenes-it is now heap Of
white rubbish. The French must have
had exciting practice at the Lantern, as
it was rather small object, but the ave-
nue. made it kind of white bull s-eye,
bounded by dark green. And there lies
the architectural toy of Napoleon |, a
pyrimidala mass of shattered stones.
Turn to the left down quiet glade,
There are horses neighing under the
trees; the tents-the first Prussian tents
| have seen-of strong infantry gusrd
and a cavalry picket CLEAN through the
dark trunks Of the forest. 1t is all 50
quiet that we might be going to a picnic.
Past the little camp in the woods, out
on the grand avenue Here are deep
scores in the ground, holes and burrows
in the grass. There lies conicaltipped
piece of iron, deity ornamented with
brass knobs on the sides and neat tip
to the sharp end 1t is only one hun
dred pound shell, which has not burst.
See, there is another; and there This
must have been hot corner, right in
the line of fire. Another moment, and
there are fountains which do not play,
garnished by statues, gardens and ter
races, walks lined with vases, pieces of
water girt with trees-the prince impe
rial S playground, and then a basin with
flights of steps, surrounded by statuary
groups. Beyond, such ruinl could
not believe it. All that remained of
" forty-6ye suites of rooms for guests,
600 other rooms, stabling for 237 horses
and barracks for 2000 men," as the
guide-book says, was tall, white, gaunt
stone wall-white, except where the fire
and smoke rushed outside and licked
the masonry in black lines. | never
saw such complete destruction. Bare
walls and chimneys alone stood; the
fire still smouldered and dancing haze
rose up from the heated mass inside; but
so clear is the work that could look
right through the palace aud see Paris
beyond, in the opposite window place.
Here was all that was left of the favorite
retreat Of the great Emperor palace
inferior to none in France for historical
interest; the scene of the 18th Brumaire,
of the imperial act of the 18th of May
1904; of the receipt of the sendtuS con-
sultum of the 1th of November, 1852
where Henry III was murdered and Hen
rietta of Orleans died. where Peter the
Great was received by the regent; where
Charles X signed the ordinances; where
she capitulation of Paris was signed in
1915; where Napoleon III received Queen
Victoria in 1855; where the declaration
of war against Prussia was signed in
l870-decorated by the hands and works
of Mignard, lie Moyne, Coypel, Boucher,
David, rich in masterpieces of painting,
tapestry, sculpture, art-a smoking kar-
max of to-day. All is gone except few
books; some furniture, clock, fine
bust OF Napoleon and the like, which
we're saved at the hazard of their lives by
the Prussians.
CountSeckendorf was sent to ascertain
if the picture of the queens arrival at
the palace was saved 1t is gone, and
so are all the pictures. The books are
stored in gardeners house. They bear
feur-de-lys hngly crowns, imperial
eagles, and BIS and Ms indiferently. |
took up one. 1t was volume 2, of ReeueiI
des Adhesions de Acte du 2 Decembre;
Chalk, Paris. Another near it was
Pichet royage dutOu dt monde. Most
interesting Of all, copy of the Moniteur
UnirerseL with the dispatches of Napol-
con before Waterloo; his account of the
defeat of the Prussians at Fleurens, and
the dispatch after Waterloo"