Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1897-09-02

Dane Department stores THO Orano
Opera House The Louvre and the Tatl.
cries The Eiffcl Tower LonginGs for
Home.
PARIS, August 2, 1897
My DEAR FRIEND:
| believe was to write YOU from
here. We enjoved your letter very
much, which we received on our arriv
al at London some two weeks ago.
Charlie said the only fault he had to
find with it was that you had left Il
half page vacant. We arrived here
last Wednesday and find Paris
beautifully laid out aud we'll planned
city. Napoleon III had much Of the
old city torn down, changing the mar
row and crooked streets into broad,
fine avenues, many Of which have from
two to four rows of trees running
through them. IL looks nice to see
many OF the streets right in the heart
of the city with u row Of trees On each
side. So far, however, we 40 not find
the parks as fine as in London
There are two trinmphal arches here
which Napoleon | Started the erection
of in commemorative of his victories.
The largest one is only u few blocks
from where we are stopping. 1t IL con-
sidered the finest arch in the world,
and cost nearly $1,000, 600. From this
arch there are twelve fine avenues lead
ing to different parts of the city.
We visited the Madeline church,
which is surrounded by tifty-twO inn
mense columns fifty feet high. The
doors are of bronze and represent the
delivery of the ten commandments.
The approach is by twenty.eight steps
which reach the whole width OF the
structure. The cost was $3,OOO.OOO.
We also visited the Notre Dame
Cathedral which was founded in 116O
The interior is in the shape of Il cross,
with doubled aisles and twenty. i've
chapels. There are thirty great col
umns inside of this church. There are
four large rose windows wish we had
just one like them), which are beauti-
full. The organ is one of the largest in
Paris, containing 5000 pipes and 50
stops. During the revolution of 1893
the galleries were turned into hay lofts
and the chapels used for stabling
horses. In 1905 Napoleon l and Emp
ress Josephine we're crowned here, and
Napoleon Ill was married here.
We haye gone through quite
thoroughly the two largest depart
ment stores in the city, and must say
l don't think they look rs neat and
orderly as the department stores in our
large cities. There are no high store
or office buildings either here or In
London. Eight or nine stories are the
highesbwe have seen. In London they
are not allowed to build anything that
will cast a shadow more than half way
across the street at midday. ! have
not learned what rule they follow here
We went to the Grand Opera last
Friday We were not carried awav by
their talent as performers, but the
opera house itself is gorgeous. The
seating capacity itself is not 70 great,
being ,, 100, but the marble stair case
and promenade take up lots OF room,
| and are fine. Just now, Of course, one
does not see SO much Of stylish dress at
the operas here, as SO many OF the no.
bility, SO to speak, are in mourning 90
account OF that great and terrible
Bazaar FIRE last May. The grounds and
opera house only cost the small sum oi
about $40, 600, 900.
The Louvre and Tuileries together
cover an area of forty-eight acres, max.
ing one of the largest palaces in the
world. The building Is now used for
public Offices and museum. We spent
one afternoon there at the museum and
will 60 again this week. One room hal
eighteen very large historical picture,
by Rubens, which, of course, are con
sidered very fine. We also visited the
art gallery at Luxembourg. think W.
shall go to the Eiffcl Tower tomorrow
Il is immense. We have been near 1t
but wish to make u closer acquaintance
by ascending to the top Paris is ,
very clean city, and claims to have th'
beet sewerage system in the world.
I'm getting tired of sightseeing ant
will be heartily glad to get home again
Four months Of going is too much Ii
one string. On the 18th we sail from
Liverpool for Montreal. We may stO
day at Niagara Fails, one or two u
nv brothers in Michigan, and tn
same At my cousins in Wisconsin. s
we expect TO arrive at home the las
part Of August. / think Mother E
will be glad for = rest, and we'l b
glad to be with our little family again
guess I've written enough for thi
time and will tell you the rest later on
Charlie joins me in sending best re
gards to your-elf. and Mr.. Blair.
Your friend.
SYLVIA ERICSSON.