Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1876-01-27
French Cemeteries.


buy or hire plot of ground four or five
or nine or ten feet square, if you are rich,
and there dig one grave deep enough for
all the family. Over this is built a little
house in stOne--a chapel-in the sides Of
which are written the names Of the dead
below, down under the marble slab in the
pavement. You are the father of the fam
lily and die first, let US say. Very good
&C A place for Monsieur in the first COM
partment, there" says the undertaken to
the servants of the dead. The stone-slab
is raised. You arrive, surrounded by the
family; you enter the chapel; and pres
emily descend out of sight A sandstone
is erected above you, and space enough
is then left for one, two or as many others
of the family as may be desired to be
buried there along with you. Inside the
chapel at the end is placed d little altar,
and this, especially amongst the lower
classes, it is sentiment of pride to furnish
up and adorn, and often an object of envy
and excessive rivalry. l have noticed
often a new fashion of candlesticks or
vases appear in one chapel of a genteel
quarter Of the cemetery, and Immediately
have found it reproduced in every sepul-
cher in the neighbOrhOOd. Almost the
whole Of these are kept in order by their
owners. You will see a woman first
sweep her little house and clean it and
adjust her ornaments, then fall upon her
knees on the threshold, and, bending down
over her prayer-book, humble out the
prayers for the dead The very poor hire
grave for five years often for one wear
or two, or three according to their affec-
ton for the deceased and their estimation
Of the mortality of their bodies; and this
lease expiring, their bones are dug up and
flung into common ditch at the back of
the cemetery, and the graves put in order
against the arrival of new dodgers. Other
wise, how would it have been possible to
accommodate all the applicants for admis-
sion within the very limited piece of ground
Setapart for the cemeteries by Napoleon l.
IN 1900? As for the INDECENT, [ believe
they are huddled INTO bitches dug in
certain part of the poor quarters of the
burial grounds. Twas favorite design
L
who undertook all the improvements
achieved during the late Empire, to con-
Struct an immense burial ground, mag
nifcent Campo SantO, half hour by the
railway out Of Paris. Much ground was
surveyed for this purpose. NJ. Haussmann
had decided upon spot to the southwark
which would have been superb, and the
SculptOrs, the painters and decorators were
in fine spirits when the war came, and the
overthrow of the Government and NJ.
Haussmann was obliged to go into hid
ing and finally turn up outside Paris
The present Government, in exceeding
prudence and timidity, has ordered two
little cemeteries out of the city. But it's
mean project and they will not make
these genteel enough to tempt the dead
out OF Paris, l fear. In Pere-la Chaise,
the only grave inclosed with a railing,
English fashion, and without any monu-
ment, is that of the great Marshal Ney
So many are the kind pilgrims to this spot
that the bit of stone under the gate is
worn in hollow. The most beautifully
decorated tomb-chapel, what you will
IN the interior is that Of the Due de
Morny, who was private and public coun-
.selor to His Majesty the Emperor for
years, and when he died, in 1864, the dis
contented said the vigor of the Empire
died with him. 1t is possible-I can't
say. Once, about 1865, this gentleman,
notable patron of the arts, like the En-
peror, ordered painting of NJ Edouard
Frere for his gallery. Frere was Just
come upon the town then; had had many
people praising him; was evidently
to be one of the grand painters of the fu-
ture. When the Due de Morny waited
upon him Frere begged him to select his
subject. 1t was to be a Swiss scene, said
the gentleman say of four figures, and he
offered 200 francs for it. So Frere be-
gan the work, and, soon finishing the
painting, dispatched it to the Duke. But
1T had expanded under the magic hand of
the painter; there were a half-dozen figures
eight or nine. This was unpleasant.
You conceive that the Duke fancied he
knew more Of the rules of art than an up
start just out of the study-room; and
he begged nj. Frere to take away home
the painting and to rectify his mistakes of
taste. Upon this, however, the painter
u U.dcred his picture, walked to the
ocor, and turning about said: "Monseig-
neur, nave painted my picture as I like
it. You do not like it. Very good. You
shall not have it. So adieu, and good
morning" And with this disappeared
out the door. Nor would he sell the pict-
ure to NJ. de Morny, even when heofered
double the sum of the first offer. NJ
Frere has just concluded an arrangement
he made years ago with New York
house not to sell any picture in Europe.
He is delighted with his freedom. And
he has completed and sold into Italy at
this moment superb performance, called
1.-The Grace Before Meat" It's rustic
scene. 1t represents a little family at ia
BILE; all the dishes before them, the spoon
ready stuck III the porridge; and pausing
glad homage paying in sweet content, to
call down blessing on their meat.-Let-
Fer of N PAR si1, -, Pooto,, Doat