The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-13
y.pOLEON,s HOME REBUILT.
Famous Old French Palace Has Zee"
rroct.d.na Mountain In Corsica.


Famous Old French Palace Has Zee"
Ercctedana Mountain In Corsica
Every one knows that the ruins OF the
ruileries Castle in Paris were sold at
auction some years after the great hre Oh
1871. but few know TO what use ,heso
ruins have since then been put. AL the
auction many faithful friends of the rail-
ON dynasty were seen buying stones. IRON
work and other portions of the historic
building. and the natural conclusion was
that they simply wanted them as
mernentos of their unfortunate rulers.
Rut there was one man among these pur-
chasers whose aim was far higher.
He was the Duke Jerome Pozzo di
Borgo. With his son, Count charles, ne
purchased at the auction the paNinon
containing the private apartments and
the study OF Napoleon III. This pavilion
faced the Garden of the Tuileries. ana
was one of the most picturesque parts
of the building. Duke Pozzo di Borgo
having secured all the stones OF which
it was composed. numbered each one
of them and then sent them TO Ajaccio
i'm Corsica What he intended to do with
them was a mystery TO every one. But
he soon made his purpose plain. His
intention was &c rebuild the pavilion just
as il stood in Paris, and TO make 1t his
residence.
A fitting location for the building was
the next subject for consideration. and
after some thought the Duke decided TO
erect the castle seven hundred metres
above the level OF the sea. on one Of the
lofty mountains that encircle the Bay of
Aiaccio.
The task was not easy First OF ALL
railroad had to be constructed for con-
siderable distance. and then a large force
of men had to be employed in preparing
a suitable foundation in the solid rock
for the castle and its numerous terraces.
The work was begun i'm 1856. and was
only finished a short time ago. To-day
the castle stands in Corsica just as it
stood in Paris for so MANY years. and it
has become one of the principal objects
of interest in the country.
The Duke Pozzo di Borgo and his family
are constantly there, and have ever a
ready welcome for all who desire to in
spect the castle.
No more pleasant journey is conceivable
than the one from Ajaccio TO this Cor
slcan Tuileries.
The road winds up the mountain, and
on each side arc fragrant groves of
orange trees and olive trees interspersed
here and there with towering cyclamens.
juniper trees. myrtles and various odor-
Gus shrubs. Masses OF arbutus are seen
here and there. and the traveller passing
through their splendor of color thinks
himself i'm veritable fairyland.
Long is the ascent up the mountain. but
the slope is so gentle and the windings
OF the road nave been so carefully laid
out that the traveller feels no fatigue.
Two hours walk brings one to the cas-
tie. hardly a glimpse of which can be
obtained until the last moment, so com
pletely Is the view masked by the thick
curtains of trees or the undulations of
the ground
At first sight the castle seems a sin
gular object. stationed as il is on a bare
rock. in solitary and somewhat gloomy
grandeur But the first impression quick
" disappears as one stands by the build
ing and looks seward. Far below are
10 be seen the Bay OF Ajacco and the
sleepy town, and further in the distance
one catches a glimpse OF white foam
breaking ceaselessy against the rocks
along the coast.
To the rear Of the castle one sees q
| picturesque group OF blue mountains. the
| peaks OF which are silvered with snow.
| Back OF all and contrasting wildly with
! the dark mountain tops Is a sky OF in
| comparable purity.
II makes no difference whether the
| owners are at home or not. visitors TO
| the castle are always admitted without
| the slightest formality.
Very often. indeed. the Duke. faithful
to the hospitable traditions OF his coun-
try does the honors In person. From
the exterior the castle presents the form
of a rectangle; the southern facade fac
ing Ajaccio. is the facade which In Paris
faced the Tuleries. and all the other
facades have in like manner been recon-
structed with the original columns. friezes
and windows.
In the interior 4 different picture is
seen. There no attempt al reconstruc-
ton has been made. and visitors. seeing
| all the comforts of modern life. includ-
ing electric lights. will find II hard to be-
| lieve that they are standing In the old
| palace Of the French monarchs.
Notable among the attractions OF the
| palace is a picture gallery. and most
notable among the pictures is a portrait
OF Napoleon. which was painted by David
| during the Hundred Days. This picture
| is little known. and there Is reason to
believe that Meissonier had not seen IL
when he gave to the world his famous
| work entieled ISL
| And yet the analogy between these two
| works OF art is striking. One cannot suf-
ticiently admire the genius, skill and adj
| mirable judgment by means of which
Meissonier was enabled TO represent in
his vanquished Napoleon "a figure that
| Is the. living reproduction OF David =
model. In both pictures We note the same
| indeinable look OF WEAKNESS and disap-
| pointment. the same far away express
sion on the countcnance and the same
| attitude OF the heavy body. the unhealthy
stoutness or which contrasts painfully
| with the drawn features and the marble
| pallor or the face.
| on the other hand. what difference
| there Is between Davids painting, an Of
flcial and hence. to some extent. an Of
| ficious work. and Melssonler's wonder
| full deiineation OF the great Napoleonic
/ Ira. NJ,