The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1879-05-30

many noted Frenchmen. Both Voltairt
and Rousseau were once among them,
but it is said they have since been re-
moved to some spot now unknown.
In the edge of the Bols de Bouogne,
is small, cruciform church in the By
zantine style, erected by Louis Philippe,
as memorial to his son, the Due dor
leans, who was thrown from his carriage
and killed near that spot. Behind the
high altar is the sacristy, occupying the
spot where stood the kitchen to which
he was carried, and in which is large
painting, representing the death-scene.
Above the door leading into the sacristy
is group in marble, by Triqueti, repre-
senting the Descent from the Cross, and
on the south side of the church small
marble group representing the dying
Due, with an angel with outstretched
wings kneeling at his head. This latter
figure was executed by his sister Marie,
wife of the Duke of Wurtemberg. The
seats in the church are upholstered in
black. Two chairs, cushion and stool
embroidered in black and white from
cross pattern, were the offering from an
other sister, the Queen of Belgium. These
are deposited in front of the altar
! The church of The Madeleine is in the
style of Greek temple, surrounded by
massive Corinthian columns, and the
portico reached by flight of 2S steps
The bronze doors are adorned with illus
trations Of the ten commandments. Statues
fill the. inches between the columns, and
a high relief representing the last judg-
ment fills the tympanum. There are no
windows, the building being lighted
from lacunas in each of the three domes
in the ceiling. The walls and floor are
of white marble and the side chapels are
adorned with appropriate sculptures.
Mary Magdalene appears conspicuous in
the decorations of this church, of which
she is the patron saint. In fine fresco
at the back of the altar may be seen fig
ures of the leading crusaders; as ST.
Louis, Godfrey de Bouillon, Richard
Ceur de Lion, Doge Dandola, &c.
On the side of the Seine, opposite to
the Madeleine, in what is called La Cite,
is another church of much historic fame;
Notre Dame. Here it was that in the
time of the Revolution the church was
converted into the temple of reason, the
Virgin was superseded by the Goddess
of Liberty, and divine service gave place
to lectures on philosophy. The building
has since been much injured by the in
surrections which have been the scourge
of Paris, but it is again completely res
tored. Except the facade, the exterior
of the building is not of special Interest,
but is ornamented with fine statuary
that above the main portal represents
the Last Judgment, that above the right
smaller portal represents scenes from the
life of st. Anne, while that above the |
left is dedicated to Notre Dame-the |
Virgin. Above these are inches filled
with statues of French kings; on one
side the Virgin and angels, and on the
other Adam and Eve. Above this is a
gallery and still higher balustrade, the
whole being finished by square towers at
each corner The exterior of the tran
septs, too, is handsomely ornamented,
while at their intersection with the nave
rises a tall, slender spire. The interior
has broad nave with double aisles, |
running quite round the circular choir.
The arches above these are supported by |
columns and the whole is rich in immense
wheel and pointed windows of stained
glass of exquisite coloripg and design.
The style is ancient Gothic.
Connected with the Hotel des Inva-
lides, retreat for manned and infirm !
with statuary and two rows
of columns, the lower of the Doric. the
upper of the Corinthian style of archi-
lecture. 1t is surmounted by dome,
finished by low spire. This dome is
ornamented with gilded reliefs, which at
once attract the attention of the visitor,
and he finds upon inquiry, that he sees
the dome under which repose the re-
mains of the great Napoleon, as they
were brought from St. Helena. Proceed
ing at once around the hotel. to Rue
Vouban, meeting MANNED soldiers at
every turn, he comes in full sight of the
front of the edifice, shut off from the |
street by a high fence with gate at |
each end. In true military style, he is
informed that he must entree by the gate |
at his left, and sortie by that at his right,
which he does, passing the guards at
all time on duty there. Upon entering
the building he sees directly under the
dome circular open crypt, some 90 feet |
in depth, surrounded by a mosaic pave
ment of elegant pattern. This crypt is
surrounded by slabs of white mai BILE,
which have on the inside appropriate re-
liefs. Standing against the sides are IL
female Victories and between them six
trophies, composed of 60 flags taken in
the Emperor's battles. The sarco-
phagus is single block of red sandstone,
brought from Finland. 1t is surrounded |
by a mosaic pavement Of the laurel leaf
ma attern. like that SO often seen on the |