The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1874-07-02
The Tombs of Kings.

Dean Stanley in his admirable work on
Aestminister Abbey, betrayed to the
world the frightful condition of the charnel
vaults containing the tombs Of the Stuarss-
bOs Tie decaying collins we're thrown one
apon the other IN hldeous confusion, the
shole interior Of the vaults recahing the
scene which the morbid fancy Of tie terror
stricken Juliet conjures up when che is
about 10 drink the sleeping potion. IT now
appears that the tombs Of the Plantage-
nets II c 10 much the same condition. This
royal family was inferred ia the Abbey Of
tonteyrauit, near Saumur On the Loire,
which, in the middls ages, was one Of the
Nealfhiest and most celebrated of rnopastic
iistIiutious. la that Abbey lie hurled
Henry II and Queen Eleanor, Richard
ceur de Lion, and Queen Isabella Of Au-
gea.eme. At the time of the revolution
the royal ton1bs were despoiled, though the
monuments were NOT much hurt. pres
ent the abbey is used as a prison, the Royal
chapel 10 partltioned of into dormitories
fof prisoners, and the tombs have been re-
moved to dark side chapel. 1t is pro-
posed that the French should either restore
the abbey or present to the English nation
-hc tombs and remains of their ancient
hinge, to be placed il Worcester Cathe-
ira or some other appropriate place.
The tourist in England Will remember
hat King john sleeps in the choir of
Worcester Cathedral, directly before the
4igh altar. In 1877 the tomb was examin-
u, and the remains Of the king were found
dressed precisely as represented on the
etfgy Of the tomb. A correspondent of
she London Times complains that this
eta.y has lately been guided from head to
oot, although it is automatically known
rhat it originally was painted go as to
feprescnt the king g in mis- habit as he
hsed'-namelv in a crimson dalmatic
nned With green, yellow tunic. red hose,
golden spurs, with blue straps and black
shoes.
The tomb Of the Bonap.rte family at
Napoleon St. Leu will now have curious
interest for travellers, and it is interesting
. speculate as to the whether Napoleon
II. will ever rest there Should bis son
yer succeed in reaching the throne, there
81 be q formal translation of the remains
rom Chiselhurst to France. Even should
lie Bourbons triumph il is not likely that
hey would refuse to permit the body Of the
leaI Emperor to repose in the soil of France.
Louis Philippe accorded tins grace to the
mortal remains of Napoleon L., and his ex-
ample will probably be followed in the case
u the nephew of his uncle Even the
fepnblic could scarcely refuse this boon,
which will probably be sought as soon as
france has stable govern ment.
The last crowned head to lay low in the
3us. was that Of the late King of Sweden,
Who rests with the other monarchs OF the
Bernadotte dynast- in the vaults of the
Riddarsbolm Church at Stockholm, where
The vas. velvet and gUid-covered sarcophagi
tand on pedestals seem dimly in the cold,
cray light which is scau,ily admitted
through barred windows. .The coffin of she
ast Gar of Russia is kept exposed to view
n a particular spot in the island church Of
s.. Peters, in the Russian capital. From
the windows Of the Winter Pala :e the spre
md roof Of shis fortress guarded church is
n full view across the Neva. The Roman.
rs can always sec their tombs and the
Emperor knows the exact spot where
Nicholas lies until Alexander shall come to
take his place.
The ancestors of the kings of Italy are
I'll buried at Turin, and no arrangements
.age been made which would indicate that
be house of Savoy intend removing their
burial place to Rome. The Popes of late
years have been buried in st. Peters
kough their tonbs are indeed to be found
n all parts of Italy and at Avignon. The
present Pontif has selected his last rest
ing place before the altar of the Balsilica
Of Santa Maria Maggiore.
The tor bs of kiags in all parts of the
eorld are kept as show places, and are
easily accessible to the curious tourist. The
only royal tomb which visitors are not per-
nitted, on any terms, tor behold, is that Of
The late Queen Dowager of the Belgians in
a<listle old church a. Laeken, near Brus-
sells; but when the royal tombs in the new
splendid church at Laekep are finished, the
colin Of the ex-queen will be removed to
the new place Of sepulchrc.-N L.. Zee.
Pest.