Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1897-05-18

81. Denis, the Durtal place VI kIuKs, u
reminded him that even kings were NOR
tai, and so he changed his residence tt
Versailles. II was long residence ol
kings, who were attracted to II by TIT
beauty Of its situation, which Is mos
attractiye-an extensive forest In front
where we spent most OF our sojourr
picking the lovely flower called "But
tons OF Gold," with which the ground !:
covered, making US think that the eartf
and sky have changed places, and chang
ed colors, and we have green sky ant
golden stars to walk on.
/. At Malmaison. not far from here, !:
the chateau where Josephine retired
after her divorce, submitting to her deg
radiation with serenity aud dignity
which greatly exalted her In the eyes Of
the world. Here she died soon after
the interview. Here also Napoleon re-
tired after he had met his Waterloo
aud though pride and love OF power and
mightiness caused him 10 desert her, ye,
when he died in poverty, lOwliness and
exile at ST. Helena, the name last upon
his lips Was Josephine" As We walk
up the narrow lane bordered with trees,
that leads 10 this asylum OF fallen great
ness, We can't help but congratulate
ourselves that we have no heights tC
fall from.
At Vincennes also. not far away, IA a
magnificent castle erected In the thir-
teenth century, the most imposing and
awe.inspiring We have yet seen. IL was
converted from mdisoR de pjdisdnce into
u n,disoH de misere, by Louis NJ, who
was very wicked and cruel man, and
WAS used VS. n prison afterwards.
In the city proper are several more
palaces, formerly occupied by kings,
but now converted iato shops and stores
and other uses.
The pal ,cc OF the Tuilleries was a
splendid residence built by Catherine de
Medici for her own use, but she abandon
ed II, as some astrologer told her she
would die In place called st. German,
and IL happened 10 be In parish OF that
name. Here also the king and his un-
happy queen, Marie Antoinette, were
brought from Versailles, and kept In
captivity for season before they were
guillotined, so closely attended by the
guards that they could not speak 10 each
other; aud here their little son, called
the DsuphiD, PLAYED In the gardens
watched by guard OF two soldiers.
| Another is now the Palais de Justice,
or court house. where We see now ouly
the barristers and judges, promenading
the corridors Ia their black gowns and
caps.
The palace at Fontaiubleau, thirty
seven miles from Paris, was originally a
fortress, but converted In 1910 into q
palace of great extent and magnificence.
The exterior is less imposing than some
of the others, but the interior is decorat-
ed with great magnifcence. II was
here in 1855 that Louis XIV signed the
! Revocation OF the Edict Of Nantes, by
which Henry " had granted toleration
| 10 the Protestants century before. IL
WAS also here that the sentence of di-
vorce was pronounced against Josephine.
The gardens are very fine-ponds full OF
carp, and the Forest Of Fontainbleau
Is the largest and finest In France, but
can afford but little pleasure, as IL Is
infested with adders. The trees are
laden with great bunches OF mistletoe
looking like myriads OF crows nests,
now dry and sere. IL Is only at Christ
mas time that IL is green and beautiful.
And last but not least, wondrous, in
comparable Versailles, the pride OF
France, and the most magnificent and
costly palace in the world, costing $500, :
OOO, 900. For years, 80, 900 men and 5000
horses were employed constructing it.,
and the thousands Of acres OF gardens
surrounding IL. The nine miles OF
pictures II contains. alone cost SO ,000, 900.
The decorations are nearly all Of gold
not simply gold paint, but real gold
leaf, each room having ceilings and walls
adorned with ten, twenty, or thirty
thousand dollars worth OF gold.
The furnishings and hanglngs are OF
Gobelin tapestry, woven in the famous
mandatory In Paris, carried on for
more than 400 years by the government,
which produces fabrics unrivalled In the
world. Ii is an interesting sight TO see
the workman at his loom, which re-
sembles that In ordinary use. The de-
signs are mostly copied from the famous
paintings, and the figures, landscapes,
flowers or animals that are reproduced,
in color, shading, expression and effect,
are almost too marvellous to believe, un-
less you see the workman at his work.
The picture to be reproduced Is drawn in
chalk on the stretched threads warp
and at his hand is basket Of woods OF
every possible color, each distinct hue
having twenty-four different shades.
Such delicacy Is required In the work
that one man can only make six square
inches in day, so about twelve years
would be required to make square
large enough TO cover your parlor floor.
In appearance the pictures thus woven
seem superior to those done on canvas,
as the effects in tint and coloring seem
more delicate and warm. Some Of the
pieces are valued at 100000.
Every room In this magnificent royal
abode has its history. In the grand
banqueting room, or Sale de Glaces,
whose ceiling and walls are of crystal,
have been given the most splendid fetes
of Europe, but here now, Is only pro-
found quietness. And we walk out upon
the balcony where the queen appeared at
the furious call of the mob Of 10000
drunken women Of Paris, who thirsted
for her blood. The walls OF her beauti-
full apartments are covered with padded,
yellow-brocaded satin. The magnitude
and sumptuousness Of the interior Of this
place are beyond conception. History,
romance and poetry have given but q
faint idea Of It's vast extent and gor-
geousness. Gold, gold everywhere, till
the eye Is dazzled with Il. Douglas Jer-
rold says that latter 1t, plain wainscOt
room, with the decencies of furniture,
comes quite refreshing to the spirit,
| nm rchad "a In ia With sueh a heat of
glory" A century ago gilded soldiers
and body guards allowed none but roy
atty to pass the gates, but now a latter
ed attendant will conduct you through
1t for penny.
The avenues that lead up to 1t are
lined with statues, but we see not much
beauty In the trees trimmed so as to be all
of the same pyramid-like shape, or the
tops cut of to make them all Of the same
height. Thousands Of acres stretch 10
front, laid out In terraces, whose steps
armies could occupy and still have space
to spare. The river or canal that
stretches away in front Is made into the
shape Of maltese cross-but the arti0-
cial scenery Of 1t all beggars description.
The first Sunday in every month is q
Igreat fete day, for the vast fountains
play here, and all Paris h0cks TO see the
wondrous spectacle Of water, water, fall
ing over and around, the sea nymphs Of
the fountains, which cover the whole
place.
| But we must hasten to the two
Tnaaoas, the first beautiful villa one
mile away, In the palace grounds, and