Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-07-24

long and wearisom, aud many of the
passages are only ordinary doorways,
where opposing streams Of jabbering,
struggling, squeezed humanity meet, and
the wonder is that everybody gets out
alive. These, however, are the mere
incidents of q visit on a crowded day,
and have nothing to do with the merits
Of the great works of art which adorn
the museum and commemorate the lead
ing events and actors in the hittory OF
France. To describe these we'll would
require the writing of q volume and o
thorough knowledge of French history,
institutions and ideas, so | will refer
only to few Of the many objects which
attracted my attention.
In the vestibule OF the chapel there is
an allegorical basso relieve representa-
ton in marble Of the passage of the
Rhine by Louis XIV. He is crowned by
victory, ami tranples the Rhine, repre-
sented as an old man, under his feet.
This was very grateful to French pride
at one time, no doubt, but that old man
had some boys, who came to Paris after
ward to see who was crowned with VIC
tory, and they set the old mar up ia the
world. Charlemagne crossing the Alps
in 77S is very striking. He entered Italy
by Mount Cents, hitherto considered in
accessible, and encountered great dan
gers, 10 order to assist Pope Adrian l
again 81 one Of the kings of the Lombards.
This was before the opening Of the
Mount Cents tunuel. If Charlemagne
were alive now he could 60 through the
Alps in twenty-five minutes.
St. Louis administering justice rep.
%resents this good king under an oak at
Viuceunes, his favorite place of repose,
where his subjects we're permitted to ap-
proach and lay their complaints before
him. Another picture represents the
death Of St. Louis before Tunis in 1910.
Attacked By a plague that was destroy
ing his army, he had himself placed on
a bed of ashes at the foot Of adRltsr and
died surrounded by his family. Joan of
Arc, presented to Charles VII, is strik.
ing picture. The English had nearly
overrun France when she arose. Wher
she was brought into his presence he was
plainly dressed to try her, but she in.
stantly knew him, by inspiration, it il
said, and fell on her knees before him
There are several other pictures in which
this heroine appears, and they all attrac
attention. Nearly ell the marshals o
France, as well as kings and queens
ministers, poets, historians, and philoso
pliers are found in this museum, anC
while the most OF the paintings are So
perb, boldly realistic and life like, Their
. is a certain samenesswhich lbs through
! the different classes or schools Of ar
: like parallel lines, which suggest thu
: brush Of the modern painter, and mucI
more of the eighteenth century styl
than of the 6fteenth. Just as
Hollywood palace, where there are po
= traits of ooe hundred and FIVE Scottis
" kings, but they we're all painted to ord'
{ in 1896 by a Flemmish artist nsne
Dewitt, who could invent a face for
Z fabulous king as well as paint one frol
' life. SO it is, no doubt, with many pi
c lures in all great galleries. All perioC
j. in the history of France, going back
. thousand years, are represented here
SEINE way, not emitting q liberal allo'
- ance to the kings, knights and Templa
u who fought in the Crusades. These worI
a are mostly historical, and by artists vi
y sought to crafty French pride in Ii
respect. Some Of them went SO far tn
it caused trouble with other nations. f
ID instance in the ceiling Of q guard-room
the second floor France is represent
ne with q kelmit on her head, thunderboltS
one hand and 10 the other a shield
nc which is painted the portrait Of LouisX.
crowned with victories. France is 81
rounded with victories. The subjects
"a the carvings are Bellons in a fury, G
many kHeeling, Holland thunderstru
ID aud Spain terrified. These pictures a
CT some others 10 the next room BY Lebr
ns had much to do in %prejudicing aud III
rS' ing all Europe against France. WI
io' the present German emperor was
DC Versailles and visited the museum
10 strobe through this room hsughtily {
70 would not stop to look at it, althoug.
IN contains some Of the finest histori
and allegorical paintings in the world
wa Next to this room is the grand gall
Of Versailles. 1t is about 24O feet 10
all SO feet wide, and AZ feet high.
IN lighted by seventeen large arehed '
al dows, looking out on the gardens
lne fountains below; to these corresp
my seventeen iacades Of the same 8
VINO filed with mirrors. The effect is 10
the the appearance Of two galleries.
lou windows aud facades are separated
each side by t%wenty.four Corintt
req pilasters. Between the pilasters and
Iles' the marble panels are placed trophie
'ere gilt bronze. A c%ornice in stucco
the around the room, and is surrounded
'Wer trophies and twentythree sculptr
that figures Of children. The arched Gel
dry was painted entirely BY Lebrun. 7
the ara w~antv.aeven prand compartmen