Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1878-11-26
From the Emory & Henry Clarion.
PARIS BY NIGHT.

The clear blue sky was brilliant with
thousands of twinkling stars. The mel
low beams emanating from the silvery
crescent of the pale-faced moon fell thick
and fast around me. The planets with
their satellites were rolling on through
the trackless void, as sleepless sentinels
of heavens wide domain, nor left single
vestige of their journey. Not sound
could be heard from those distant OBJ
iects. AS viewed this bright canopy
above, l thought that far beyond these
material worlds, dwells the truly beauti-
full, the good, and the great. l soon re-
allied my inability to do more than to
stand and gaze and admire the rich sight.
So turned to satisfy my curiosity from
plished. From my position upon a TO
tunda, a fair view of the heavens above
me, and the world below me was afford
ed. Below could be seen the placid
arms of the Seine stretching across a
fertile country. The rustic villages
of honest laborers, the Opulent cities
with naughty dignitaries, situated here
and there on the banks of this crystal
stream, attract the attention of the be-
holder. None more than Paris. And
from the rOtunda | could see the image
of Paris thrown below me by means of a
reflector. The city was well lighted
with gas when the picture was taken,
and the exhibition of it is known as
''Paris by Night"
had been carried to my lofty position
by means of an elevator; passing from
the elevator to the rotunda and going to
the iron banister around it, you are thus
enabled to behold this beautiful city, or
as l saw it ''Paris by Night" 1t is one
of the most magnificent that the modern
world is proud to boast. The first
thought arising, is 81 am in balloon
over the center of Paris, the city is bril-
liantly Illuminated with gas" To make
it appear more like a real city than the
mere impression of a painters brush, the
exhibition is on Broad street Philadel-
phia. The rumbling ears and vehicles
make you think it little while after
dark-yes, just late enough for lights to
be used. These facts combined with the
shout of the news boy and boot black
below you impresses the idea that the
mechanic, smith, and apprentice had
quit their daily labors and were wend-
ing their way home. Who then under
these surroundings could help banishing
the thought that it was the ideal of man
and look upon it as an existing reality? l
am unable to explain how this excellent
and skillful piece of art is executed. 1t
is there, magnificent, surprisingly,
| beautiful So indellibly was it impress
ed on the marble tablets of my memory,
that to-day it stands out before me in all
its grandeur and unrivaled sublimity.-
The tumult of the busy city was soon
lost sight of before 1 had long looked
upon the wonder spread out before me.
| Nv excitement was intense. The many
around were equally engaged in the all
absorbing sight. We paid but little at
tention to each other. | grasped the
iron railing in my agitation, one mo-
ment leaning over trying TO approach
nearer the object of attraction, the next
drawing back fearing lest l might fall,
for knew not how high was, How
ever, my frenzy soon subsidized. A de-
| sire moved me to descend, to mingle
with the inhabitants of that powerful
metropolis. l wished to stand on the
Boulevards, and watch the fastidious de-
voices of fashion. Who would not APP
preciate prominade in those cultivated
gardens, inhale the sweet odOrs waited
by every breeze from a floral spot where
innumerable lamps were pouring flood
of light over this gem of nature? had
long wished TO learn something Of
French habits, customs, and peeuliari-
ties. l wanted to see the royal palace
to look upon the gilded throne, where
tyrants and despots had ruled withou
mercy. If l could do this, one of th'
greatest wishes of my life would be ae
complished. The historian pen had of