, 1874-05-03
ART III PARIS.


means OF increasing their knowledge OF Art.
But, on arriving in Pnris, fresh from the New
World, tho multiplicity Of objects claiming
their attention under that head dlstracts and
confuses thon. For the first time in his life.
the average American, in his study Of the
beautiful, finds himself embarrassed by
wealth rather than by poverty. Among the
host Of museums and monuments which
the gude-books will lay before hlm, and which
it would reqrira-so it seems-years to explore,
which shall be elect to visit, and which, in view
OF his limited Bojourn, will best repay him for
the timo expended? ? In answering this ques-
ton, it is bcs. to recall that Paris is the seat Of
one of the great galleries Of the world; the
traveller will know more Of painting and Of
sculpture than he can learn anywhere else this
side OF Italy, il he will mako familiar acquaint-
aacs with
THE LOUVRE.
But the Louvre ia c world in ITSELF Il is not
60 much 4 museum or gallery as it is series
Of museums and galleries. II one attempts, as
60 many travellers do, to 20 through it syste-
maticaly from 5eginning to end, in q limited
period OF time, the result is vanity and vexaton
OF spirit. When one has passed through the
Museums Of Greek, Of Roman, Of Egyptian
Antiquities; OF Ancient and Of Modern
Sculpture; Of Drcnzes, OF Pottery Of
Jevela, and Of Engr:vings: through tho gal
lcrles respectively Of EazIy French. Later
French, and Modern French Painting; through
the Square Boom, and the Long Gallery, and q
dozen more mususms and galleries bcsidcs.-tho
utterly exhausted sigh:-seer feels tina: Art 1s
long and Life is short. His ercs are dim with
gazing; his neck aches. and his rp;naI column
ceilings and every other conceivable place
where pictures ought not to be; and this is
not the worst. Tho worst is, that, after
all this misery. the retina refuses to retain mora
than blurred imaze Of the marrels it has seen;
tue memory struggles hopelossly with vain and
indistincs conceptions.
But. in exploring the Louvre, there is moro
excellent way. It is better to select from lis in
hnity OF treasures certain number OF the most
remarkable and memorable works After thor
ough and intelligent study OF these, one will
carry away definite and beautiful pictures in his
monoYy and he will have acquired, also, Ger
tain standard for future judgment. which will
greatly enhance his pleasure in the German and
Italian galleries.
First OF al,
TIE BC1Lp1yo ITSELF
is worth some little study, and moment or two
OF sentimental uusing. Situated, as it is, in
the heart OF Paris. how hard is it to conceive
that, in tho days Of the old Do Nothing Kings
this was huntine-seat surrounded by denao
woods. Looking out from its northern vim
dows upon the faAhionably- y-dressed throngs Of
the Ruo DO R.voli, how strange to
think that the wild boar was onco chased
wiero now run the nephaltun- paved streets
and tho glittering a1cades; that the old
terror Of France. the wolf, has left his name
upon this temple Of the Arts in what now claims
to be tho centre Of civilization. The Old Louvre
is continuous range Of buildings in the form
OF perfect square, with fine garden in the
ccntre. OF this the wegtorn side is the Oldest, /
and dates back Blk centuries; tho eastorn aud |
southern sides, by far the most imposing Of the I
whole building, reflect honor and credit on the |
distinguished French physician and archi- |
the reign OF Louis XIV. Opposite the rich |
Corinthian columns and fine pilasters Of tho |
eastern front, stands the old Church OF St, I
German, whence pealed the eignal-bell for the |
s the continuation Of the old, uniting it with
the irregular paralelogzam Of the Tuileries. The |
most notable features Of tho whole exterior arc
Tho lofty and massive p.yllions, which bear the !
names OF the most distinguished statesmen aud
Of fFrarco,-Rlcheleu, Sul1y, Turgot,-
lud
TIE HOST OF STATUES
decorating the terraces aboye the first story.
These statues represent the most illnstnous
nen Of France, from her earliest day down to
Browning aaya, ton tho Louvre, face and Hank"
4afo1taine, Moliere, Rabelais, Abolar1. Eous-
eau, Poussin,, Toltaire,-.to 60 through the
ist would DO to give m epitome Of
H6 Aat4tH l1ssu19. IoEt, Ntat1AtsHt, EflE1C, /
ynic, warrior, eta:esu'an, -, artist,-they
re all there. In this building, within and with
mt, Frenchmen have eudcayored to perpetuate
Fhat is most memorable in their story, or char
;eterist'c in their genius; As to the statuea
hey look we'll enough from the street, aud their
eneral effect is to ndd dignity to the building
As to the interior, the chambers Of the Old
louvre are easi]; to be distinguished from the
est. and, with their curious aud richly-embossed
FfeI 9r7rtff ffSaf !
tally the bedchamber OF Henry w., with ita
aTh wainscoting, and low, ribbed ceiling, in |
be Italian style; and the room In which the
:eat victor Of 1vry died from the blow OF IN
ssassin.
THE MusEUH or sovE9E1cxs
ontains good deal that is interesting as illus
.asing and Illuminating history. The Nero |
lngian Kings do not seem quite such mythical
eFsoDs whcn one has inspected the old arm
naiC Of King Dagobert; and what singular
npression it produces upon the citizen
nation not century old to take In his hand !
'e scertre of Charleuagne, his sword and spurs,
ad bis prayer-book, whose date carries us back
1aded that be will rot come upon tbs horn OF {
GLAND, whose echoes still sound through
le early twilight >of French poetry. :
ut the interest Of relic does not !
VAT ways depend upon ago. In these stately
10 oldest dynasty in the world, there is nothing !
not the shos Of Marie Antoinette, nor the I
irror OF Marie de- Medicis, nor the armor Of ,
enry (which VIC do not readily leave for | |
Ie ball into which it opens, whose gilt bees On !
ground OF red are enblcms ct t
PARvESu ENPEBoR,-
line whose glory began and ended with | c
10 man Here is the veritable old gray red ! .
cote and th1ee-cornered hat which Art has 30 | Il
ithfully reproduced in column, picture. aud t
atue: the sword which he wore as First Con- b
], and the uniform in which he encountered t
9 iron hail Of Marcngo. Nothing recalls more r
Fikingly the simplicity OF his persona! habits 0
an the sight Of this httle camp-bedstead, hard
d bare, which he used in all lis great
mpaigns. On this poor palIet,-you say to
ufaelf in short italian nights, under the q
sak Russian sky, was piliowed the restless y
ad which planned the rise aud fail of empires r
meath the white splerdor OF his wedIing- i
bes, and part Of the gorgeous paraphernalia OF 7
, coronation. haoes little coat, . iillput;an il
st, baby-c!oak- There is something pathetic O.
these memorials, amidst the glories OF d
Q Imperial father, OF the e1lled, throne D
9 soa; poor baby King, neser to ruie d
Kingdom; shadowy Emperor without ! | &
I'M xoR cannot hslp recalling pAlaxoQhs4 q