Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1880-06-14
NO 139
Dailu kennebtr Journal.
(Continued.
MY TRIP 70 ErROPE.

I
early. there was smart thunder shower,
the first thunder we had heard in Europe.
The rain fell freely. and of course when VIC
LEFT our chambers at the breakfast hour, our
reading room without roof was flooded. and
We had to scamper through the wet to our
breakfast table, which luckily was under
cover. The tive preceding days had been
very hot, but the shower cooled and purified
the air. II continued cloudy during the fore
noon, making our ride more agreeable.
We entered the carriages soon after ten
O'Clock. On our way We passed the column
Vendome. constructed of bronze by Napolc-
on, from cannon captured by him in his cam
paign of 1895, and adorned with has pellets,
representing his victories. II Is l+3 feet
high. and surmounted by statue of Napolc-
on II feet in height. This column was bro
ken down by the Commune, but has been re-
built
We also passed the beautiful church of the
Madeline. 1t is of peculiar construction,
and is one of the most beautiful Of modern
churches. II is surrounded on every side
|
high and feet in diametre. II has no tower
or spire. AMI the roof is rather fiat, but the
colonadc OF pillars gives il a striking appear
ance. The columns were damaged during
the Commune struggle. but have been re-
stored
| We also visited briefly the Place de la Con-
corde, an immense public square. adorned
with fountains, trees and beautiful statuary
Beyond this is the Bos de Boulogne, fBou-
| \ -.
gree the charm of wilderness ani that of
an cNtensensive city park. This is a very
fashionable resort for carriage rides. Ada
cent to the place de Ia Concorde are the
Champs Elysees, (Elysian fields, where all
Paris delights to assemble ami linger after
Moons and evenings.
Continuing our ride, we saw the monster
bronze head of Liberty, designed for cree
ton in New York harbor. The arm and
hand of the same statue were exhibited at
the Philadelphia Exposition in 1876 Money
is lacking to complete the statue, and a lot
terry has been organized for procuring the
| funds.
At a distance, we noticed the French Expo
siton buildings Of 1855, now used for per-
manent exhibition; also the buildings called
| the Trocadero, erected for tire Exposition of
1867. and now owned by the city of Paris;
and last not least, the great Exposition build.
ing Of 1873, very beautiful and imposing
structure, probably destined to remain Near
this last was a miniature Japanese village.
There are numerous statues still standing in
| the grounds.
Our ride then took US out of the city, and
we passed several villages, amongst the rest
Sevres, where is manufactured the finest por-
celain in the world. The mandatory is not
open to visitors, and the day we were there.
unfortunately, the warehouse was likewise
closed and inaccessible.
VERSAILLES
1 Who has not read of the magnificent royal
palaces and parks of Versailles? The city it.
| self is very handsome, and has over 10000.
inhabitants. 1t is place of residences, and
not of trade or business. 1t is ten or twelve
miles from Paris. with which it is connected
by two RAILWAYS. Our mode Of travel to-day
was, however, by carriages. Versailles
stands on much higher ground than Paris.
The ascent is quite gradual for most of the
way but the paved avenues are very hard
for horses, and at one point most of our par
ty walked up the hill considerable distance.
We did not spend time exploring the city,
but directed our attention to the palaces and
parks. The splendid palace Of Versailles
was originally priory in monkish days. The
last prior was Hugo de Versalis, from whom
no doubt the city received its name. The
prory was built Of brick Louis XIII,
turned it into hunting lodge. Louis XIV,
the Grand Monarque, added wings construct
ed of light stone, and spent vast sums in
beautifyBg it for a royal palace. 1t was oc-
cupied as such for more than 100 years. Sew
eral kings were born in the palace. The
broad court yard in front is paved with mar
bic, and has been the scene Of many histori-
cal events. The central part of the palace
was always occupied by the royal family.
From balcony in front Of the centre win
dows, the death Of the king was announced,
and the accession of his successor. "The
king is dead. Long live the king!" At this
balcony. Marie Antoinette, the beautiful but
unpopular queen Of Louis XVI, faced with
heroic courage, the angry mob in the court
below. Then came the revolution. Kings
are no longer born at Versailles, nor do they
die there. They have ceased to be part Of
the government machinery.
| God said, I am tired Of kings;
suffer them no more;
Up to my ear the morning brings
The outrage Of the Ioor.
! ! will have never a noble,
No lineage counted great;
Fishers. and choppers, and plo sinen,
Shall constitute n stater'
The French have been slow to learn these
Truths. They have not entirely mastered
them yet. But they are making progress.
/ The 'citizcn king" Louis Philippe, trans
formed the palace into a vast museum and
historical picture gallery for all France.
The length of the western facade Of this
palace is / 500 feet. We traversed this i'm
mense building until almost exhausted with
fatigue. was glad that one part Of it oc-
cupied by the President, was not open to Wis
itors. The halls, the ante-roons, the reccp-
tion rooms, the sleeping rooms, and the al.
most endless succession Of other rooms, are
finished and furnished in style of utmost
magDifcence. They are embellishcd with
paintings by eminent French artists, repre-
sentiDg ceronations, battles, and other his-
torical scenes. Perhaps the finest 10 the cor.
onation Of Napoleon and Josephine. In one
picture was portrayed the surrender Of Corn
wallis at Yorktown to Count Rochambeau
and Washington. Its being there il due
doubtless, to Rochambeau being French
man. The battle gallery il > very long and
high room, adorned with rows Of pillars, sni
divided by huted pilasters into sections o.
panels perhaps Is feet in width, in eaeh o.
which was large historical painting.
In another building we're all the state car
riages and harnesses, with stuffed figures o
favovite h0rses Theme carria1ea we're YER