The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-21
Interesting Observations at the Beautl-
full French CaraVanSary Of the Dead.
THE TOMBS OF MANY FAMOUS MEN.
The Theirs Vault, tho Ledrce kaiiin rams
lily, and Resting Places OF Statesmen
Soldiers and Authors-A striking
Lesson Drawn from the Visit

dead in q serious ana Solemn hioou' IL
memberIng as we die at the very
threshold Of this place. the host OF dis
tinguished dead who rested both above
and beneath its sod. We knew this TO
be the richest and largest cemetery IN
Paris. being rich In costly ana elegant
vaults tombs, monuments, chapels' sta-
tues. being large and extent, embracing
about 100 acres of a commanding ehlileHce
where from its highest point we couid Cd
tain a fine view OF the rich and elegant
capital OF France.
we had heard and read much about
this sacred locality now Immediately
around US, that held the remains OF so
many noble. distinguished dead, yes, long
famous for containing numerous tombs Oh
the most illustrous and celebrated per-
sons OF all the various professions. IL
has been a burial place for three-tourths
of a cenrlI ~, and il receives the bodies
of persons for whom their families nave
perpetual concessions Of ground, TINS De-
ing different IN this respect from some OF
the other cemeteries, where faihllles
only own the ground for certain lease
Of years, say from twenty 10 thirty, the
ground then reverting back TO the NUM-
cipal or States authorities, to be disposed
of as they may see TT, regardless OF the
past capacity In which it was used. l
proposed to my friend that since we
had two hours 10 spend In this sad ana
interesting locality. We take our time In
looking about US and not be hurried IN
trying to see too much.
THE THEIRS FAMILY.
We first visited the family vault-above
ground-of the Theirs family, the last
body II received being that OF the dis
tingushed ea-Uesdent of the french
Republic. Here we found assembled
.g..Ts. Of "a hnfFf
the entrance and peering into the inte-
rior. Votive wreaths Of mourning were
thickly strown on the tomb of the great
statesman, and large record book was
living open for visitors TO register their
names. We observed also that many OF
these people with pencils wrote their
names on the stone and marble wall and
pillars Of the vault. We remarked upon
the bad taste of this-there being nun
dreds OF names. all unknown 10 fame,
scrawled on every available spot. This
may have been a French method OF show
ing respect TO the ilustrious dead, but II
looked 10 our American eyes like wan
ton and sacrilegiOus act, almost vandal-
ism. all things duly considered. or
course. I'm two hours visit We could
not go TO all the tombs and vaults con-
tanning the mortal remains OF men 80
profound I'm science, SO erudite in litera-
ture. so famous In the fine arts. men who
had gained a lasting celebrity, justly
earned renown in all the proud and eX-
allied departments of human researches
and attachments. All Of which think
ing. honest posterity. IS compelled TO adj
nit imperatively required the possession
OF brains and intellect with every other
noble attribute necessary 10 the forma-
ton Of the grandest manhood. all faith
fully sustained by every manly energy
for their proper development, success
ful prosecution. and glorious elimination.
From such a long and noble roll OF
fame as we here encountered, we telt
| necessitated to make a selection Of the
best known. simply to briefly look upon
their earthly resting places during our
present visit. We propose TO enumerate
some of them without observing any
speclal order. and also without INDUCING
anv lengthy comments. After leaving the
Theirs vault. we visited the vault Of the
Lodru Roln family. You know Ledru
Rollins was q noted man in French poll
tics for long time. and n truer, or more
consistent patriot to his country never
lived.
FAMOUS MEN.
Then we saw the tombs OF Racine. Mo.
liere. La Fontaine Laplace. Guy-Lussac
| Eugene Scribe.-he who struggled and
| gained success-Garnier Pages. then the
| Nlarshals Ney. Massena. Davoust-bas-
roliefs concentrating their herolsm
Manuel and Beranger Gn the same tomb
! Casimir Perier.-he Of the silver tongue
| he who was lust and strong, and whll'
| he could not do as much FOR France as
/ Pericles did for Athens the glory anC
renown Of the great Greek orator anc
statesman will not suffer by the com
harrison France has remembered MN
| with fine and appropriate monument
consisting Of 4 bronze statue and three
bas-reliefs representing Eloquence, JUS
! tice and Strength. Heloise and Abelard-
! the French Romeo and Juliet-have quite
an elaborate tomb. with a Gothic dai'
covering the recumbent statues or th'
two lovers. You remember the pathetic
! story Of these lovers. whose affecting let
tiers. published after their death. has
caused many tears 10 flow when read 10y
| sentimental. romantic people. The as
| tronomer Arago has plain sepulchre
| Alfred de Mussct 0he contemporary anC
rival Of Lamartlne), has white marble
bust. Casimir Delavigne-at one time
thought 10 be the greatest French poet
q simple marble slab bearing his name
! Ralzac. Barras. Benjamin Constant
Beaumarchais. plain and unassumihl
| tonlbs mark their remains NiSconti
the architect. has an imposing mauso
| Ieurn. white marble statue half reclining
and bronze bas-reliefs representing IN
nIan Of the Louvre. General Colbert hai
an equestrian statue, and bas-relieis IN
dlcating his military explosive Were
rot impressed with the artistic perform
ance TO the Generals memory. We saw
much more that was worthy of attention
! bur which we viii not now refer TO. wa
much impressed by all we had seem an'
felt In very thoughtful mood so ma
turally suggested by such environments
7 proposed to my friend that before leaV
! ing the grounds we should spend a lev
| minutes in the chapel that stood near IN
middle of the cemetery on the site OF TN
ancient castle that once occupied IN
! eminence While within its sacred wall
we noticed many people coming and go
ing only remaining long enough 10 ofie
No short prayers for the repose OF tn
souls OF friends and relatives whose bod
les rested in the confines of Pere IL
| Cha!se.
We saw the tall tapers burning in thei
| ouiet. family way about the altar. east
ing a dim religious light" adown 90
aisles. while the lingering fragrance o
burning incense from unseen cersei~
came TO IS. impressing US by such sol
emn surroundings. almost stealing ava.
our senses from all the charms Of .--
outer world. We stood very still. evel
roverentlally quiet. looking about u.s. II
q manner subdued and serious IN TINS III
,Io chanel of Pere La Cnaise. No CRANE
IL. ..r1.F pFfI fVtar4r zoe