Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1878-11-05

by Pradier-a great artist who lived o
the nth floor of house in the Rue 81
Honore, eating crusty bread and drink
ing vie 0rdinaire twice day, I erpec
Judge, do you see those bass-reliefs bt
tween the cOrnice and establature 2
Wen, they represent, according to thei
location, beginning on the east. tn
fdnerol Of Mdrcedu and the battle 6
AOOukdr; on the west, the passage Q
| The bridge of ArcOld and the taking Q
| Aterdndria; on the south, the battle Q
Jennadpes and there on the frieze O
that grand establature are sculptures de
picting the Departure and Return of th
French armies. (Ah, me! not armie
like those at Metz and Sedan) If yol
will now look UP to the attic and vault
ing of this great arch you will see in
scribed thereon the names of the princi
pal battles of the Republic and Empire
told the Judge this was brief and in
complete outline of the history of th,
Arc SO far AZ knew, and as it showe(
for itself; did not think it necessary II
mention the names of the different ar
tists-not because did not know then
|-whcdid the work SO nobly and well
as in doing SO would be tempted int
discussion of the fine arts, recollectine
as / would the merits of these greal
men, and this might weary my friend
as I had done on Q former occasion. HI
expressed himself as being satisfied
thanked me for my short, simple state
ment of plain and visible facts, and pro.
posed to go to the top of the monumen,
without further delay. I gave the ole
soldier who kept the entrance to the
winding stairs that led to the summit 8
franc, this being the fee charged US, anC
then up, up, and round, round we went
every few moments stopping for 6
breathing and resting spell. Thus vi
continued until the very top was gained
Here the Judge took q seat. at ths
same time declaring he intended to rest
we'll before looking at all. He then
dofed his silken tile, drew his red ban.
dannn, and proceeded to wipe the mois.
ture from his good, honest brow.
While my friend was thus engaged
consulting his comfort, I was not idle
but had gotten out my field glasses, and
proceeded to clean and put them in
good order for extensive observations
The Judge soon Joined me, when ]
handed him the glasses, and acting in
my temporary capacity of guide, from
my previous knowledge of the scene,
begun to tell him the different direc.
tions to look and of noted objects and
localities to be seen. He was greatly
interested and absorbed, looking intent
ly and industriously, first Id one diree-
tion and then another. I did all the
talking-as guides generally do-while
my patron was as reticent as distin.
guished American, who was also trav-
cling in Europe for his own health, OF
the health Of his friends. just now ]
cannot positively assert which. We
were fortunate in having bright, clear
day for our visit, and we most happily
availed ourselves of 1t by making 8 stay
of an hour on this lofty perch.
Paris, the gay and the beautiful, was
beneath and stretching far around us, q
most pleasant sight to the eye, filling
the full measure of all our antlcspatipns,
and causing US to rejoice in realizing a
glorious scene, more than day-dream
of earthly beauty. We have locked on
many famous and historic scenes from
noted points of observation in foreign
lands, and with one exception-Monte
Pincio at Rome-none have equalled OF
sgr rpassed our view OF, Paris and the sur
rounding nonntry from the fop OF tts
Arc de TTomphe The Judge was de-
lighted with the extensive view pre-
sented in all directions of the elegant
city and its suburbs. 1t is we'll known
that the view of Paris from this place is
by far the best to be seen, unless it be
seen from q balloon, as the writer once
saw it. finally suggested to my friend
that it was time for our departure. in
order to carry out our plan of visiting
the next famous place we had decided
on before the present visit was made.
The Judge was not more reluctant to
leave this place, so well known, and sc
conspicuously situated, than myself
But the glittering Dome des Invalides
raising its proud height in the sunlight
only mile or so away, seemed to beck
on us to come and gaze upon the objec,
which it bad sheltered aud protected fol
nearly two-scofe years. We descended
from our elevated position, and soon OBJ.
tanned seats on the top of an omnibus
that took us very nearly to our desired
destination. A few minutes walk and
we stood with uncovered heads at
THE TOMB OF NAPOLEON.
"It is my wish that my body shall
rest on the banks of the Seine, among
the French people have loved SO well. y
This wish of the great Emperor was
only executed in December of 1910, four
teen years after his death, when the
greatest pageant France had witnessed
for many years was presented to thu
eyes of the assembled thousands, as his
mortal remains were borne to the rich
grand, and magnificent mausoleun
prepared by the nation The Judge was
much impressed, as we stood above anC
looked down on the "IOnabeuu de y Ena.
pereur.o 1t occurred to me that hi,
stock of superlatives was greater thar
ever, for he was continually exclaiminf
how grand, elegant, superb, magnifi
cent, splendid, &C., &c everything was
At times he appeared to be almost awe
struck, and would talk to me in a low
and modulated tone, nearly in whispers
and when he saw the inscription hav'
mentioned, as we stood near the grant
altar, tears came in his eyes, and hi
feelings caused him to be silent for som,
moments. knew his unlimited admi
ration for the first and great Napoleon
had heard him express himself often.-
His father had told him so much abou
the.Emperor that the brother had relate,
who served under him. We waIket
about this rich and costly sepulchr
with feelings of reverence and admira
ton for the departed greatness it repre-
sented. We looked upon the tomb O
two of his great Marshals-Duroc an,
Bertrand. They occupy the right an,
left of the entrance at the base of tn
| white marble staircase that leads to tn
open crypt, which contains the lsrg
and beautifully polished sarcophagus q
purple porphyry which holds the re
mains of their distinguished Master
"The Judge and myself'' fingered q
this attractive and noted place, for it
one of the most celebrated and interest
ing points in Paris; great resort NO
only for strangers, but the French peo
pie, and the Parisians are constant visi
tors. France, of the present day, ma
not believe much in some who hav
horne and still bear the name of Nape
leon, but the first great name of NAPC
LEON BONAPARTE will never be fol
gotten.
The TOMB occupies the centre of a
open circular crypt, 40 feet deep and 8
feet in diameter, in the space directl
under the tall gilded dome of DE
INvALIDEs. Above the crypt and nea
by are the tombs of Joseph and Jerom
Bonaparte. Turenne and Vauban, tw
famous Marshals of France a hundre
years or more back, are also buried j