The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-04-20
A SHATTERED MONUMENT.
The Grand Arc de Triomphe Battered to
Pieces by the Gums of the Versaillists.


Pieces by the Gums of the Versaillists.
A cable telegram announces that the Arc de
Triomphe has been destroyed by the fire from
the guns of the Versaillists. Although the des-
patch does not partcularize, it refers, in all
probability, to the Arc de Trionphe de pEyoile,
In close proximity to the suburban district
embracing Fort du Mont Valerien, Neuilly, and
Asnieres, in which the struggle of the past two
days between the Government and the insur-
gents has taken place.
The shattered monument was one of the
grandest and most attractive in the French
capital, having been the largest tri-
umphal arch in Europe. From the locality
known as the Place dePAro de Triomphe de
PEtoile twelve grand boulevards diverge all
taking different directions. In the centre of
this rose the grand Triumphal Arch, opening
into the Bois de Boulogne. 1t was
erected to celebrate the victo IS of the
French under the republic and empire, its con-
struction having been decreed by the First
Napoleon, in 1906 In that year the corner
stone was laid, but the monument was of such
gigantic proportions and such elaborate work.
manshp, and Interruptions were 30 fre-
quent, that it was not finished until 1885. The
total cost of the structure was about 3d. 10000
It's height was 152 feet, its breadte 1877, and its
depth 6S feet; the height of the principal or
central arch being 90 teet.-
The decorations of the monument were COM
mensurate with its grand proportions. Each
| front was ornamental with two principal groups
| of statuary, facing the Avenue Champs Elysee
on the one side, and the bridge of Neuilly, over
| which such desperate struggle has recently
ragged, on the other. Each of these groups are
thirty-six feet high the individual figures having
height of eighteen feet. The right-hand group
| on the Champs Elysee or Paris side represented
the departure of the sons of France for the de-
| fense (?) of the country, the Genius of War en-
couraging the warriors to action. The left
hand group on this side represented the Victo-
ries of 1910, with Napoleon standing in dgni-
fed attitude, while Victory placed crown
upon his brow, Fame surmounting the whole,
while History recorded his deeds, the group
being rounded out by foreign soldier in chains,
his arm suspended TO tree. On the facade
looking towards Neuilly the right-hand group
represented Resistance" in the shape of a
young man, guided by a Genius fitting over his
head, and surrounded by his father aud his wife,
the latter holding dead child in her ans, rush
ing to the defense of the nation. The left-hand
group on the Neuilly face represented peace,
in the guise of a warrior sheathing his sword as
he stood between his wife and children,
the idea being further exemplihed by
another warrior engaged in tanning bull
for the plough, and the Genius of Peace
crowned with laurel, shedding over both hel
protecting influence. The last two groups were
executed by NJ. Etex, who received for the wori
$4,000. Above the arch, on the northern side
is the Battle of Austerlitz, by NJ. Jecther, and
on the southern side the Battle of Jemappes, by
Marochett. These sculptures were considered
the finest that had ever been originated il
France.
In addition to these grand groups of statuary
there were, in alto relieUo, representations o
the taking of Alexandria, the passage of tn
Bridge of Arcola, the surrender OF Mustaph
Pacha at the battle of AboukIr, and the dealt
of General Marceau, these works being by Cha
poniere Feuchere, seuyre, and Lemairs. Sur
mounting the whole was frieze exc
cuted by several artists and equal,
divided That on the Eastern or Pari
face, and extending over half of the northern
and southern fronts, represented the departur
of the army for Italy, the deputies of The nstioI
being grouped around the altar of the eountr.
distributing flags to the departing troops. oI
the corresponding half was the return OF tn
victorious armies rendering TO regenerate'