The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-17
SCENE or THE DREYFUs TRIAL.
Something About the French Town
where IL IL in Progress.


From the Chicago Times Herald.
Rennes. scene of the Dreyfus trial, now
an ordinary commercial town In Western
France and unknown TO most OF the
world unti IT became the temporary resi-
dence of the celebrated prisoner, dates
from the very beginning of the Christian
era. and possesses history respondent
with medieval pageantry and tales of
chivalTic daring Ii was the capital and
chief city of Brltanny In the days of its
independence. Here the warrior dukes oil
Brittany assembled their parliament
Here Constance Duchess of Brittany and
Queen celebrated for her sorrows by
Shakespeare, was married to Godfrey
Plantagenet. Here IL was that her son
Arthur, aftorward so cruelty murdered by
his uncle, John Of England, was crowned
Duke of Brittany.
II was al Rennes that Bertram du Cues
Gin, famous constable of France and aptly
called It's Give was born, and this was
the land and this was the people whose in
dependence not even he victorious against
all others, could conquer. 1t Is said they
broke his heart these sturdy, hberty-loV-
ing people of Brittany No Breton ever
after spoke to him, and though he laid
the foundation of the greatness Of France
by driving out the English and bringing
the rule Of the King, the Breton blood was
100 powerful in him for him 10 forget In
the midst of his greatness his exDatr!a-
ton and the hatred his own people bore
him
In 1920 a terrible fire broke out In tho
middle Of the town and ragged six days. No
effort was made to put Il out by the dis
heartened citizens, and when its work was
done nothing was left Of its antique charm
but few buildings on the outskirts and
the old Roman gate, which is now the
only object Of interest TO the tourist In
the present city. To-day II is modern and
commonplace. The buildings which re-
placed the Old ones have for their chief
merit spacousness and cleanliness: or
architectural beauty Of designs there Is
very little. The Pals de Justice or court
house Is one Of the most Interesting build
ings in the city from its association. The
Breton parliament used to assemble there.
OF churches Rennes has no lack The
Cathedral. begun in 1850 and not COM
pleted until 1857, is a marvel of bad taste
on the outside, being a mixture of Tus-
can, Gothic Doric and Ionic, and the In
terror a famous critic has likened to a
stock exchange or corn market. Morlaix
gate Is the Mecca of artists who visit
Rennes 1t is a fine sample of Roman
military architecture and dates from the
third century A. ID. Through 1t all the
dukes had to pass to be crowned, and
here all new rulers were met by the bish-
ops and clergy. who exacted the promise
that their rights should be maintained
Rennes Is noted for It's fine squares, pub
lie walks and parks. The most famous
boulevard, the Mail, was planted in 1885.
At one extremity the waters of the lie
unite with the Villain. 1t is from these
two rivers that the compartment in
which Rennes Is situated gets its name.
Fine shops, massive quays, an excellent
university and a museum containing noted
paintings, avenues finer than any in
France outside of Paris distinguish this
town from other Breton towns Of to-day.
II now seems probable that Rennes viii
witness the emancipation of France from
the web Of forgery and infamy which a
military conspiracy had spun about the
courts and parliament Of the republic.