The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1886-03-31

cOulu navigate this narrow passage, out
we did not wonder long, as, nome
after stepping ashore, we met a party
emerging from the narrow passage,
and found they were visitors like our
selves. They had come from the Place
du Chatelet, and were to embark on the
scows we had just left. When there is
a rush of visitors the movement Of two
parties is timed so that they will meet
at this point; but when the applications
are few and there is only one party it
starts from the Madeleine.
The sewer we entered had walk
about three feet wide on each side of the
canal or ditch in it's center and at the
very edges of the ditch there were iron
rails Of a lilliputian character. A long
string of little cars, each made to hold
four persons, stood on these rails and
above the ditch, and into these cars we
were directed to enter 1t is close
squeeze for a traveller with long legs, as
the vehicles were evidently planned by
men of less than the average height, but
with exaggerated notions of their own
consequence in the world. Several of
us had hard time crowding into the
limits of these contracted cars, but enter
them we did, and the signal to start was
given Each car was propelled by two
men, who walked on opposite sides of
the ditch and pushed upon handles pro-
tecting from the side of the vehicle.
Part of the way they went at walk, but
for the greater part of the distance their
pace was quickened into a mild trot.
They reminded me of the jinrickisha
men of Japan, but were much slower;
and l suggested to my companion that
the city of Paris would find
it to advantage to import some Of the
human steeds of the land of the Mikado.
Having been drawn over japanese
roads distance of fifty and odd miles
in twelve hours, and on another occa-
sion thirty miles in six hours, | was
ready to bet on japanese jinrickisha
men against the whole of France.
Sitting just over the ditch, we rolled
along in the cars, listening to the sounds
of the vehicles above, which were less
numerous than on the Rue Royal, but
no less noisy, considering their num-
bers, and observing the crossings of
the streets as we passed them one by
one. The streets were indicated by
sign-boards, as already mentioned, and
it was odd indeed to be travelling under
ground and knowing all the time ex-
actly your position in its relation to the
world above. The arch-way was dlmly
lighted the lights being generally at
the street corners; and sometimes there
would be an entire block without sim
gle jet along its length. 1t was a
warm day in August, but l had taken
the precaution to bring a light
overcoat. The overcoat was useful,
as there was just enough chilliness in
the subterranean atmosphere to render
the garment acceptable. My companion
had scorned the idea of bringing a coat
on such day, but before the journey
was over he regretted his negligence.
Any reader of this article who may here
after succeed in obtaining permission to
visit the sewers of Paris is advised to
take light wrap of some kind as a
shield against the peculiar atmosphere.
On either side of the archway, close
against the walls or let into recesses,
were water and gas pipes, the latter
smaller than the former and placed above
them. Telegraph wires covered with
insulating material hang from the roof,
and at one point several men were en-
gagged in placing new lines in position.
A large number OF wires can be carried
through the sewers of Paris, and as the
sewers form a complete network over
the city, there is very little need of above
ground wires in the French capital. II
is said that one object OF the sewer sys'
tenn of Paris is to enable the government
to move troops from one part OF the
CITY to another in case of instruction:
certainly 1t would not be difficult to
transfer considerable numbers of soldiers
through the sewers, so that insurgents
defending barricade could be thanked
and taken in the rear without warning.
Since the completion of the sewers
the successful defense of barricades in
the streets of Paris is impossible. Water
and gas-pipes, being quite accessible IN
the sewers, can be easilyrepaired in case
of injury, and the same may be said Of
the telegraph wires, but in this secure
position accidents are OF rare occur
renee. No one not connected with tht
administration is allowed to enter tht
sewers except by special permission, ant
then only when properly accompanied
If New York were provided with sys
tenn of sewers like those of Paris, thu
problem of putting the telegraph wire
, under ground might be solved with ease
On and on rolled the little cars, ant
finally came to halt at the Place d'
. Chatelet, nearly two miles from tn
, point where we descended to embark OF
the scow. On alighting from on
cramped positions we gave gratuities t.
) the persplring workmen, and then as
cended the steps and were restored t.
daylight. The glare of the sun hal
blinded us until our eyes were accus
toned to the change, which was not TO
| several minutes.
In the same vehicles we might hay
| been carried miles and miles further
G the authorities had been willing to pei
f NIT the journey, but 1 doubt if any
the party cared for more travel of thi
Q sort. One mile underground is yer
8 much like another if you have no chang
of weather The total length of tn
, sewers of Paris is more than three hur
' dred miles, and through the greater pal
: of this distance men can 60 with east
a The railroad along which we were role
Q in the little cars is ordinarily used fo
t transporting materials for repairing tn
: sewers, and also for carrying wate1
, pipes. gas-pipes, telegraph wires, etc