Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-03-20
A ROYAL BURYING PLACE.


follows Among the most ancient
places of interest that we have been to
lately, is the town OF st. Denis, about
five miles from Paris, because Of the
beautiful old abbey founded here in
0s-, by Dagobert L. Since then it has
had additions and renovations by the
different reigning monarchs, according
to their fancy. From the sixth cen
tury until the year 1889 all the kings
and princes OF France were buried
there. The guide that took us through
was queer rusty looking old man.
The day was dark and rainy and the
church was full OF worlmcn, whose
hammers resounded through tho
gloom and space with u clang that
grated on my ears. 1t was so late in
the day that we were obliged 10 visit
all the tombs and chapels with lights.
There before Us lay the kings and
queens who, no doubt, were glad TO
rest when their time came. After all
even seeing as many tombs as we have
OF these noble families, one cannot
help a quiet thought OF the pomp and
splendor in which they lived and their
littleness now.
These French are such a spasmodic
people that / wonder that there is one
stone left on another after such an
outburst as they had during the late
war. At one time in 1893 they con
cludcd TO tear down this ancient abbey
OF st. Denis, and, indeed, tile work OF
destruction commenced. They opened
the vaults OF the Bourbons and re-
moved the bodies of Henry XIV, and
Louis Nil, and XIV, and Marie de
Medicis, Anne OF Austria and Maria
Theresa. Some Of the bodies were in
such a state Of preservation that they
were opened and exhibited. In the
coffin OF Henry III two hearts were
found, but nothing to identify them.
The monuments are, many OF them,
badly dcfaced and some Of them
ludicrously so.
For instance here lies a king and his
royal consort side by side. On the
top Of the tomb lie marble ef1lgies OF
the same, with an ear Clipped off and
nose completely hattened, and the
| angels at their feet minus toes and
thumbs and fingers here and there.
The finest monuments are Of Louis
XII, and Anne of Brittany, and Henry
II, and Catherine dc Medicis. The
former is in white marble. Both are
marycls Of beauty. 1t Is on pedestal
covered with IAN arched roof, and
under each arch an Apostle, twelve in
all. The figures OF Henry and Cath
erinc are represented rs kneeling-the
whole enriched with bas -rclicfs Of the
wars Of Italy, &c. The stained glass
windows we could not we'll see, as the
church is undergoing extensive repairs
and they were hid blythe scafrolding.
l. We were conducted finally into the
caves Of the church, where it was as
cold and gloomy as you could
imagine such place TO be-whcre, in
fact, it was pleasant 10 take a compan-
/ ions arm. In tomb which the late
| Emperor caused to be walled COM
! pletly up. and into which we saw, by
the aid OF two candles. through grated
windows on either side, lay the yeri-
| table collins containing the remains Of
| Louis XIV. and the beautiful unfortu-
nate Marie Antoinctte, the Due de
Berri and his two children, and many
others. They are entirely draped in
black and the Slistcning silver is now
Il mass Of rust, and the clsth in tatters.
/ Some OF the lids have cracked .and
fallen in, and have Il sad look OF
neglect and dcsolation. Poor little
! Marie Antoincttel l felt rs if she
must know how, through the years
since she was cruelty forced into an
other world, her story still lived and
many Il heart had ached in sympathy
with hers.
In the sacristy we saw most wonder
ful ancient paintings, and, next TO
that, the treasure chamber, contain
ing the relics ofearly French monarchs
| Il fac-simile of Charlcmagnc's crown
and two splendid silver caslets con-
tanning the hearts of Louis XIII and
| XIV. The stained glass in the clere-
story windows forms an illustrated
historical series OF the principal events
connected with the rulers Of France,
iifty-six in number, and seyenty-two
popcs and Abbots. There are several
beautiful statues in the church, one
lovely one kneeling Of Marie Antoin-
cite. It is an abbey rs full OF interest
rs any here, and fully merits visit
from all tourists.