Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-07-24
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Pans. JULY s. 1878.


arches. grand stairways and v~estlbules
within. and of the fountains, pillars, wide
walks and long row. of grand old trees
without. In the days of the Commune
Versailles became the seat OF govern
ment. and has remained so ever since.
The national assembly holds its meetings
in the theater of the palace. 1t is said
that the present government does not
spend as much to improve and repair
the park as Napoleon did; yet it looks as
if nothing more could be done to add to
its grandeur and beauty. The palace
consists of a central building and two
wings. Its hight is 425 metres, or in
round numbers about 1900 feet, and IN
the eastern facade it covers a space OF
600 metres, or about 1000 feet. It's whole
extent and immense proportions cannot
be e e from any one point. The gate
way occupies a space Of one hundred
and seventeen metres, and is divided
into eleven parts by pillars surmOunted
by gilt ornaments, in the center Of which
one sees the arms of France. There are
four groups of statuary-two on each
side. The first / learn represents victo-
rious France at the time Of the empire,
the second peace, the third France vic
torious over Spain aud the fourth album
dance. Two wings, called des ministries,
complete the grand square, in the
center Of which is an equestrian
statue of Louis XIV, whose picture is
seen SO often within the palace. The
court is ornamented by sixteen statues,
each thirteen feet high, representing as
many prominent men, beginning with
Richelieu and ending with Corde. On
the left is the court Of the princes; on
the right the court Of the chapel; on each
side are two modern psvilions with Cor
inthian pillars. Stone statues or the
balustrades represent magnifcenee, jus
tiee, wisdom, prudence, diligence, peace
Europe, Asia and France; abundance,
strength, generosity, wealth, authority
glory, America, Africa and victory
Here is seen also q remarkable clock; or
one side is O recumbent figure Of Mar
and on the other OF Hercules. Thi;
clock has been stopped three times
according to an a%nciont custom
when its motionless hands market
the hour Of Louis Kills death
then the death Of Louis XIV, an
the last time this ceremony was pei
formed at the death Of Louis XVIII
The part Of the court nearest the cente
is paved with marble in alternate square
=, Of white and black, ana is known /
France as the cour de marbre. Th
!. chapel Is a richly ornamented buildiu
with pure Corinthian columns on the e.
!. terror and beautiful erehitores in Il
: windows on which seulptured childre
bear symbols Of the Catholic faith, az
on the bAlustrade there is 3 %proiusion
statues representing saints, and aboV
there are groups Of angels b. emineI
D artists. Within the chapel all is gilt al
bronze, bas reliefs aud grand old pain
Ic ings. Ia former days gorgeous Ger
.s monies added to the luster Of s
20 perb ornamentslion, and several roy
marriages took place here, among othe
that Of the Dauphin, Louis XVI aud 4
Archduchess Marie Antoinette. B
even the grandest chspels cease TO be
novelty after seeing 50 many as tn
have in this country; and there are 9th
y, features about this marvelously graz
= aud historic palace more attractive a.
instructive.
Ths palace is open and free TO {
public daily, except Monday, from IL
as N. to 5 pm. o. Sundays, which 1
nd holidays here, especially with the wo
pl ing c%lassel, who have no time during
er week for recreation, great crowds flo
rs, to Versailles from Paris by railway a
Of every possible conveyance. In the 50
is mer the smaller fountains play on ali
nate Sundays, and the larger founta
(grandes eauz) play only oil the {
=, Sunday 10 each month, and then only
a few hours, as the expense is said to
$1,000 per hour, and the present COVE
ment is inclined, or perhaps obliged,
be wonderfully economical, at least
SINE things. Yesterday being the I
Sunday 10 the month an immense crc
went out, including Parisians, proviu0
French peopls and strangers from
parts Of the world. Trains we're l
ming on the railroads every half hour
isis. day. To add to the discomfort Of
oil occasion a heavy rain came up sudd'
ight and thoroughly drenched every one
ider happened to be strolling about
gardens, and there we're many Il
2 to sands such people, Several Americ
outh on their return to the hotel, decls
that that hey never would forget Versai
100 but it was noticeable hat those who
most emphatic had less to say about
playing Of fountains than Of the sht
- in which they we're caught, and
,.;un their minds we're running more on
clothes and a warm dinner than on
'1a dry works Of the old masters.
The arrangements for visiting
','0a museum a! Versailles are very uul
" nu az factory when there is a crowd.