, 1875-09-12

nal to get ready was given, match-bo1es we're
looked to, the candles were firmly gtipped. and
some ladies, very sensibly, put On waterproof
cloaks, drawing the hoods over their bonnets 30
ss to guard against the moisture which, after the
late heavy rains we have been having, filters
through the root of tho catacombs. Candies
we're lighted, and one by one the 400 visitors as-
sembled disappeared down the winding staircase,
with its ninety-two deep steps, which leads to
the vaults below. Round and round turning
giddily, until at the end Of five minutes vel
come voice announced that the head Of the pro-
cession had arrived on the leyol ground b8 feet
below the street above. The 200 tlickering can
dies gave q weird aspect Is they iilumi-
mated, like so many vills-'o-the-wisp. the dark
Gladstone roof OF the vaults through which
the party took its WAY. The water WAS
t1ickling down the walls, or dripping from
the fungus covered roof to the eminent dlsoom-
fture OF those who more new hats or light
trousers, while here and there the CLEAN of the
candles showed sorno patch OF water, the en-
desvors to avoid which were ludicrous. some
ono would See pool make jump to avoid It,
and land in another perhaps deeper, sending up
4 shower Of water which made the candies spit
and gplutter, and caused those who had been
rs none escaped some Of these nishaps. "a the
sprinkler often got sprinked in return, good
humor soon prevailed, and every one At last got
careless, ploddiug along without needing tho
scriptions bearing tho names Qf the streets
under which the party we're passing showed
tho progreas being made, while to the
right and left we're galleries, into Which
no one was allowed to penetrate as IN
some cssea the roof had fallen IN; anu mn IN
aaY.fAr rtztn nn6 that heavy
rains might have rendered the galleries unsafe.
After walking for about twenty minutes, the
party halted the ladies' nere invited to so to
the front, the men to bring up the rear. 4 10"
miuutes moro and door WAS teacae1. oses ~
which notice had been placed saying that no
smoking Was allowed. andt that no one was permit,
ted to touch the bones, although one would
fancy that the latter part OF tue ptohlotlon was
superfuous except in the case OF enthusiastic
phrenologista. The procession reacnea tne ~. :.
nesa! bali, or vast ossuaEy, where the bones OF
the dead have been arranged IN horrible oroef'
With some idea OF ornament. Skulls yellow With
time, come looking like polished rnohogany,
others like parchment or ivory, gFlnned IN .
srn,- bones seemed ready for the limitation
la ualse to join III Hobeln's "Dance
OF Death; and many wondered II as
The hour of midnight some strange, scenes
might not be seen in such . charnei-honRe.
Who could have picked out the skull o. some some
craniuus which were piled up and arranged in
variety Of devices, OF have distinguished oe-
tween the bones which. according to the lnscr1p-
tions over them, had come from the Cemetefy
Of Innocente, from the cloistors OF 9e.:. Ign,
ore, etc, places which have been forgotten, enc
which the present generation does not Temem.
ber. On the walls all kinds Of phllosophlca
inscriptions have been traced, BY the hands Of
the o1kmeu, no doubt, 90 some OF the axioms,
intended to be sublime, verge on the ridiculous,
and would excite smile we're it not Tor the SOL.
emnity OF the spot. Another eouvenir OF the
Commune was to be found in row OF akul!f
and arm and thigh bones, which an ioscr1p.
Zion tells us once belonged to those who were
entombed in the Church OF Saint Laurent, bn,
| whose sopulcbres we're violated by the Fedora!
insurrectiouists in 1871. On quitting this charne
house the party retraced its steps, returning &c
| the spiral staircase by which the descent had
| been made after visit OF an hour, during which
a distance slightly in excess Of miles had beer
| gone over Up the steps out OF the dark anc
| moist vault smelling like the grave, the Daylight
! was hailed with delight, and although every one
| felt glad the visit had been made, every one was
! pleased it was over. Stories had been told o.
| how the Communists had been lost, how the'l
| rotting bones are even now to be discovered
| when competent men explore the subterfaneaI
| passages near Montrouge, SO that zach stair wat
mounted with lighter heart, aud every one fel'
| relieved when the trap-dooE leading to the cata'
| combs had been closed.