The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1873-07-24
WAITS WAITED WESTWARD FROM
OVER THE WAVE.

| WAITS WAITED WESTWARD FROM
OVER THE WAVE.
| VERSAILLES, France, June 18th, 1878.
Ed. TRIBUNE An attempt to write
letter about Paris would be altogether
| to great an undertaking. There is so much
/ to be said about this, the most charming
and luxurious of all the capitols of all
the world, that I will confne myself to
one, if not the finest of its suburbs, YER
sailles.
Eighty years ago Versailles, stood next
to Paris IN Importance of all the cities of
the empire. 1t had a population Of l00,-
600 inhabitants, many of whom were
representatives of the most sumptous
courts Of Europe, Dukes, Counts, Mar
quises. ETC. All that were considered
noble. whether from abroad or at home,
had their homes within her borders.
In 1000 Louis XIV conceived the idea
fof turning the hunting grounds of Yer
sailles into beautiful park, and the
house, then used only for the hunters,
into a splendid palace, aud no expense
was spared in carrying out these designs.
1t is said by historians, | believe, that
10000 men were employed for nearly
twenty-five years, making the vast exca-
vatlons, and raising the immense terra
ces, oyer 5000, 600, 600 were expended in
carrying out these vast plans and in COM
pleting the chateau or palace That the
heavy taxes levied to carry out these
plans had much to do with the revou-
ton Of 1889, there is no doubt. | haye
just finished a two days examination of
these grounds and palaces. and this even
ing, although weary in body and mind,
will try and tell your many readers of
few things have seen. at (
| can but mention the most prominent
events which rise like mountains along
! the many corridors and halls in pictures,
! statuary or cabinets of these wonderful
buildings and leave the details for the
student of history to supply. On leav-
! ing Paris the train runs along the brow
C the high hills which form such
natural protection to the city. On these
grounds have been fought many holly
contested battle. Eight thousand En-
! gIlshmen are said to have fallen in that
gallant charge of IS4S, and here the Ger
mans paid dearly for their glorious VIC
tory. We are now passing the Avenue
La Grande, so memorable since the
bloody Commune. For here they barri-
caded the streets and fought with des-
peration against the gallant Trochue and
MS brave men. but were finally overcome
and peace again reigned in the city We
stop at Suresnes under the guns of the
most commanding fort in the city, we are
next at st. Denistand fairly out of town.
| Then comes longsplain extending away
| on every side to the foot of large hills.
Here we got good idea of French
Husbandry. Small villas line the track
and we pass over them, for it must be
| remembered that no railroad in France
can run on level with the highway or
through the streets of cities. We pass a
beautiful town called Asuieres. Here
are groups at tea under the shade of the
garden trees, and there on the left is
table set on roof Of one of the houses
and the family gathered around Down
in the valley pleasure boats are gaily
passing on the river Seine As the train
rolls on the scenery constantly changes,
Paris slowly fades from view, presenting
| a beautiful landscape against the eastern
horizon. While here by our sides lie
the beautiful towns of Belleoue and
Meudon, blending together in one large
town on the banks of the river. And
next we are under the guns of Fort Va
lerien which commanded the plain at our
feet. As We near the city of our desti-
| nation the picture grows more pleasing,
on every side the beautiful slopes are
covered by vegetation. Where there are
| not vineyards there are lawns, woods
enclosed in some bosquet. surrounded by
the ealmy atmosphere of the country,
make US long for such retreat. But we
must not linger, for we have much to see
at Versailles. We will now go directly
to the palace The great reyolu,.on re
ferred to did much to destroy the exterior
go haf ~
ed with the greatest productions of the
most eminent sculptors of the day. The
interior was also ransacked but all traces
have long been removed. We have not
, time to examine the outside nor the large
| fairgrounds. surrounded by the great
statues of warriors and statesmen. The
| interior is DIVIDED into three parts-the
main body and the north and south
| wings As there are miles of pictures
! and rare statutes, we can give but a
glance at them The central body was
once the apartments of Louis XIV, but
/ they are now devoted to works of art.
i Busts and statues are seen on every side.
u
glance at Voltaire; the expression of that
/ haggard countenance | will never forget
We next pass into the south wing. Here
are twelve rooms illustrating the deeds
of Napoleon from 1870 to 1910 and it also
contains five. busts of the empress and
! his family Then comes the hall of Mar
engo and the halls of the generals killed
in the battles from the reign of Chloyis1
TO the battle of Wagram. We Pass in
| silent amazement through these great
fields of art. produced by the master
hands OF Europe, into the north wing.
! On the first floor are a series of pictures
representing historical events before the
reign of Louis XVI and a gallery of
busts, statues and monuments. The
next fcor contains pictures relating to
4 the first republic down to TIE reign Of
/ Philippe Tie second story is filed
+. with portraits Of eminent painters. 1t