The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-05-27

dow in this building General Lafayette
presented Louis Philippe to the mob al.
ter the overthrow of Charles in 1880.
Here also the unfortunate Louis XVI
was forced to address the excited popn.
lace, wearing the cap Of liberty; and il
was ia room in the Hotel de Vile
that Robespierre attempted to commit
suicide, prior to his execution. 1t was
standing on the broad steps by which
one Of the three courts is approached.
that Lamsrtine stood and with the ut
most heroism, declared to the infuriated
mob before him that the red flag Of Com.
munism should never be the flag OF
France. The Sale du Trone and State
apartments were magnificent and the
Grand Galerie des Fetes exceedingly
beautiful. II was in this saloon that
the balls were given in honor Of Queen
Victoria and Prince Albert in 1855;
Victor Emanuel during the same year,
and the Grand Duke Constantine, two
years later. At the time Of the Great
Exposition there was also grand ball
given here, at which were present prob
ably a larger number Of European
monarchs and princes than ever before
assembled together on single occasion.
Immediately underneath the Galerie
des Fetes was the Sale St. Jean, used
for civic and public meetings. In ad.
dition to the State apartments the Hotel
de Vile contained six hundred rooms,
which were occupied by officers and
clerks. We must not omit stating that
the building was famous as the one
from which the several governments OF
France have been declared overthrown
or established, ever since the revolution
OF 1889. In fact the possession Of the
Hotel de Vile by insurgents Of Paris
was always regarded as tantamount to
a change of government. The build
ing cost over three millions Of dollars
and was justly regarded as one OF the
most imposing in Europe and one of the
most prominent features Of Paris.
PALACE OF THE LEGION OF
HONOR.
This was one Of the most elegant
buildings in Paris. 1t WAS erected in
1856, for the Prince Of Salm, and con
sequently bore until 1902 the name OF
the Hotel du Prince de Salm. On the
establishment Of the Legion OF Honor
by Napoleon the palace was appropriated
for the purpose OF this institution.
The principal entrance to the court
was through a triumphal arch, nanked
on each side by a colonnade OF the
Ionic order, at the extremity Of which
was corresponding buildings, surmounted
by bas-reliefs. The front Of the editice.
distinguished by q colonnade Of the
Ionic order, and six Corinthian columns
Of noble dimensions, gave dignity to the
entrance; over this some fine basrelicis,
executed by Roland, added to the rich
appearance of the front, 10 much and
Justly admired. This part just de.
scribed constitutes the chief beauty OF
the edifce. Its architecture throughout
was executed in the purest taste, and
was q triumphant testimony OF the
judgment and genius OF Rousseau its
architect
The apartments Of this palace were
remarkable for their elegance and the
simplicity OF their ornaments. The din.
ing room was adorned with columns OF
the Ionic order. The principal apart
ment was OF circular form. The side
which faced the quay had semi-circu'
lar form. On this side were large win.
dows, between which were placed
Corinthian columns, with statues. The
other parts Of the edifce were also
adorned with busts and other ornaments
Of sculpture, distributed with much
taste