Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-09-20
PARIS.
From Mr.. Fulton's Letters.

PARIS.
From Mr.. Futon's Letters.
WANDERING AROUND PARIS.
We are still wandering about Paris, and have
become almost as familiar with its thorough
fares as With those of Baltimore. AS from day
to day we enter some new locality we are con-
strained to express our 'astonishment and ad-
miration at the bright and beautiful appearance
almost everywhere, and the number Of its great
attractions scattered through all sections of the
city This morning We assembled to the top OF
the Arch of Triumph, from which the finest
and most extended view of the whole city can
be obtained. From the circle in which this
famous arch stands twelve Of the most magni6-
cent boulevards branch off, penetrating to the
heart of the city. They are all lined with
double rows of shade trees, and to stand on this
elevated structure. 1872 feet above, the reader
can imagine what the scene must be with the
whole city spread out like map at our feet.
We found about thirty visitors enjoying the
view when we ascended, more than halt OF
whom were Americans.
A throug of emigraDts passed through Parls
yesterday on their way to America, Whicn Is
but the commencement ofa more extended emil,
grafton of the same character. They consisted
of fifty nuns and Sisters Of Charity, from the
old departments of the Haut and Bas. Rhine.
There are undoubtedly superabuudance OF
these good people in all parts of France, and
they can supply the world with all they want of
Of their absence. An immense number OF
priests, of the Jesuit Order, who have been ex-
peled from Germany, are also taking passage
for America.
EXEMPTION FROM FIRES.
The great fires we are constantly having in
the United States give to Europeans very
good idea of the construction of our great cities.
The outcry against Mansard roofs, as the cause
Of these great confagrations is amusing to the
people Of Paris, where almost every house. is
constructed with that appenda age, and none but
the public buildings have iron superstruc-
confined to the building in which they origl-
nate, and if they commence in the lower
part of the building they seldom reach
the MaDsard roofs. The fact is, these
houses are not built to be burned, but to stand
until time and the spirit Of improvement calls
tor their demolition. In the more modern
buildings iron is substituted for wood inside
and outside, and it takes a long time for fire
10 get under way to such an extent that it can
not be extiDguished with buckets Even the
lattice window shutters are now made of iron,
and they are so simple in their construction
that they are cheaper than the ordinary wooden
shutters They are of one solid piece of sheet
iron, and the lattice portion Of an entire wln-
dow is made by machinery at the rate OF one
per minute, by being run under roller, which
cuts and presses them into shape. In the whole
city of Paris there is but one steam fire engine,
aud it is 80 seldom required that 1t IS perlodl-
csly put in motion, to be sure that it is always
in order.
We have now been four weeks in Paris and
there has not been 10 that time even an alarm
of FIRE, and We see no notices in the papers of
Any couhagratioDs. When it is borne 10 mind
that the population is more than six times as
large as that OF Baltimore, some idea may be
formed of the general exemption. The houses
here are packed more closely together than
they are with US, and extend some twenty OF
thirty feet on an average higher up in the air
than ours do. There is also from six to dozen
or more families in every house, which of itself
you'd seem to render them more liable to acci-
dental combustion. The stairs and banisters
are required to be constructed of stone and
lion, and the lower floors are generally arched
and laid in cement. The law is peremptory as
to the manner of construction. but instead of.
attempting to evade the law, builders coDtrive
10 every way to make their buildings more tho
box factories are never allowed to be in con-
ttlgulty to thickly settled neighborhoods, and
hence when such tinder-box take fire they
burn out without damaging anyone but them
selves
The 6remeu of Paris called "sapeurs pom
piers. consisting Of regiment of 1000 men,
ore organized on a military footing, and under
The orders OF the War Department, but in case
OF hres they obey the orders Of the Prefect OF
roIlee A portion are on duty every evening
at the theatres. They are efficient as soldiers
no less than as active fremen, and are carefully
drilled aud trained in gymnastics. Medals are
annually awarded to such as have distinguished
themselves by their exertions and good con-
duct. The annual cost of the force is SIS, 800
francs, or about $4,000.
The buildings fred by the Commune 10 no
case spread farther than the structures to which
tue flames we're applied, They did their best
70 destroy all the central portion of Paris, and
They had no combusuble buildings to work
ath-no tiuder boxes in the heart of blocks,
aud the flames we're extinguished as rapidly as
they were ignited by the residents of the neigh
oorhoods ~ :"
AMYSTERIOUs WORK OF ART.
There is now exhibiting in Paris one of the
e'ai mug HoIAs VI SSuiuS nuu ois 'n1s ~
have ever witnessed. It is diorama of the
siege of Paris, and all Paris is running wild to
view it. There is some species of optical illu-
SION In connection with it that 20 one seems
able to understand. Although q painting, it
80 closely resembles nature that on suddenly
entering the ball the spectator is bewilderedd,
aad invariably complains of dizziness as bis
eyes scan the intervening scenes and the dis
ant horizon presented to view. Of course, as
we could not understand, we cannot describe,
That it was difficult to realize that We were not
really standing on lofty eminence between the
lines of the contendiug armies and viewing the
progress Of the SIEGE The building in which
!he dlorama is exhibited is circular, and about
Three hundred feet in diameter, with glass
uone On entering it the visitor passes along
fhorJ H.. II - 4. :