The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1878-06-01
BR0ADBRIM'S LETTER FROM PARIS.

THE PRINCE OF wALES-LOAN COLLECTION.
AS intend that these letters shall be an
epitome and reference for after time of the
magnificent Exposition, whose wonders |
now attempt to describe, those who read
them will do we'll to follow me carefully.
and | will do my best to make them see
through my eyes its marvellous collections
OF genius and art, which they have been
unable to visit themselves; and even to
those who have been fortunate enough 20
see Paris during this holiday season, but
whose opportunities of observation have
been more limited than my own, hope
they may not be an unpleasiug souvenir,
serving to remind them of events and
scenes not often witnessed in the life of any
one, and which, having been once seen, are
to be remembered with pleasure forever.
With this brief introduction l will now
proceed to the fultillment of my task.
On a gentle slope which rises from the
east bank of the Seine, stands magnificent
building whose mighty wings stretch away
upon either hand many hundreds of feet.
Seen from the distance the effect is not
particularly striking; but as you approach
1t, it seems to rise to colossal proportions
and the grand entrance facing the Troca-
dero is worthy of the magnificent structure.
Giant figures guard the portal as if they
stood there sentinels over the wondrous
treasures which the people of every land
had entrusted to their keeping. On one
side of the gateway stands figure repre-
senting Australia, and on The Other the
Goddess Of Liberty with her shield, en-
blematic of the United States of America.
And along the entire line are grand figures
representing the nations of the earth As
you enter the door you find yourself in a
lofty hall one thousand feet in length and
over sixty in height, frescoed in crimson
and gold. On costly pedestal, immed-
ately before you, ther is a splendid equestrian
statue of the Prince of w ales, and around
the base, in dazzling groupe, are the
presents received by his Royal Highness
during his recent tour of India. These
costly gifts by the Princes permission were
exhibited at the South Kensington Mu-
scum, but even in the most popular resort
in England, they could be seen but 10y
paratiyely few; and it is matter of
sincere congratulation that His Royal
Highness has not only given his personal
supervision and care to aid the success OF
this great exposition, but he has contributed
such a rare and costly collection of valuable
and curious things, as it has seldom been
the good fortune of any one individual on
this earth to call his own. AS you survey
the entire collection and look up at the
imposing statue which they surround, You
might imagine them the spells of some
conquering hero, on the loot of some
oriental palace. One case is filled with
massive pitchers, salvers and goblets of
rare workmanship and of the finest gold;
quaint figures and curious designs are en-
bossed on them, some of them perhaps
containing the secret history of the dynas-
ties, to whose glory they once contributed.
Looking into this costly collection and
shutting out for a moment your immediate
surroundings, you realize in its fullness all
the gilded glamor that haloes the story of
the Arabian nights. The tale of the beg
gar boy of Bagdad finds here it's realization
and the miracles of the GEM of the Lamb
are before you in all their glittering reality.
But do not pause too long for this case;
- -, l,,t
of this marvellous treasure house. Near
by is an ivory palace engraved with
the most beautiful scroll work, the interior
gorgeous with oriental luxury, of which
perchance we may have read, but which
eyes profano are seldom permitted to see.
Close at hand is a collection rich with the
trophies of the chase, the spells of those
oriental Nimrods whose prey is the King
of the forest. No child's play this, but
sport for mailed men, the grand excitement
of which tougheus the nerves for the
supreme contest where Empires are lost
and won; the weapons used are glittering,
sharp and strong knives, battle axes and
spears, all speaking of sauguinary war,
and probable danger and DEATH and the
trophies are the tusks of the elephant, the
fierce claws and teeth Of the kingly lion,
and the royal tiger, all tipped with silver
and gold and all attesting the prowess of
the fearless hunters who struck them down
in their native lair
Rich in golden fretwork are scattered
around soft housings for the elephant and
the camel, and saddles for the proud Ara