Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1902-08-21

bD6 Sredb lduuludIkS VI tlc Guy. 1uC OAuioA
consists of two parts, the Church OF st.
Louis and the Dome. In the former there
are many battle flags captured in the wars
of Napoleon, and we were amused by
conversation which took place there be-
tween a guide and party of English tour
lists The guide was doing his best to
interest his hearers, and in most eloquent
way called attention to the flags of all ma
tions, even of China and Mexico and Alge-
ria 'sThere," he said, lis the English
Jack ," This statement was not at all
appreciated and the effect produced was not
what he intended, but he was quick to
rectify his mistake by adroitly repeating
| his remark. Yes, of all nations but one,
and that is America Their flag would
have been there too il Napoleon had fought
with them, but you know we had no war
with America" The thought of what
might have been was solace, but we could
plainly see the tattered flag was not pleas
ant feature of the decoration. The Dome is
the great mausoleum of Napoleon. Beneath
the dome in circular crypt lies the i'm
mense, but simple, porphyry sarcophagus OF
the mighty conqueror. Around it stand
twelve colossal statues of victory, beautiful
in their sadness, while between them are
stands of captured colors. Only blue light
falls within those walls and on the most
Joyous day of sunshine one walks here in
the sad light of morning. The Pantheon
| is another temple of the dead, although
built as church of St. Genevieve, and
marking in its history those.changes through
which the nation has passed. In the vaults
beneath are the monuments of those whom
France has honored, but to me the most
interesting part was the interior of the
church proper. Being built in the form OF
Greek cross and lighted from above it
lends itself to decoration, and its walls are
covered with large frescoes. Seen from one
part or another between the imposing pill
lars the effect is remarkable. The work has
been done by different artists the most
popular series of pictures being those which
represent the life of Joan of Arc, by
Lenepven.
OF the churches of Paris, Notre-Dame is
the one which most impresses the visitor.
Within its walls was erected a statute OF
| liberty and the church itself was the
''Temple of Reason" when irreligion reign
| ed in Paris. Even as late as 1871 the
church was used as military magazine.
The facade is remarkably fine, the deeply
recessed doorways being richly carved.
Above them gallery runs across the build
ing, its inches holding the statues of Jew
ish kings. In the centre is the grand rose
window, nearly fifty feet in diameter. The
two square towers have never been COM
pleted From the other side of the river
there is fine view of the great flying but
tresses, which are such feature of the
building. Not far away is the Palais OF
Justice, within which is Sainte- Chapelle,
the old palace chapel. To me it is the
most beautiful object in Paris. The lower
chapel gives no idea of the glorious work
which awaits one above. Upon ascending
the stairs one enters a chapel whose walls
are of glass, one might almost say. The
stone shafts which support the vaulting
are very light and graceful and all be-
tween, ten feet or so from the floor is filled
with old glass of the time of st. Louis. II
| were to say it is red and blue one would
fail to understand that such color scheme
could be made so glorious. The pillars,
roof and walls, are painted in the same
colors, with the addition of gold. The re-
suit of architecture, glass and frescoe is
most beautiful most regal. 1t is not gaudy,
as one might imagine. Far from it. Moth
ing jars upon the senses. All unite to pro-
duce respect for the royalty of kings. rever-
ence for the King of Kings.
| AS we went to the American Church on
Sunday most of the shops were open and
building operations were going on as usual.
The streets, however, were more crowded,
showing that it was to a large extent a
holiday. The great losers by the seculariza-
ton of the Lords Day are the workers. If
there be no harm in working on that day,
| they must work for seven DAYS instead OF
six. Nor dare we forget that the loss OF
the worker is the loss of the nation.
| could write much more of our stay in
Paris. A single letter will not tell all
that we have seen and enjoyed, but this
must suffice, for Paris is only chapter in
that book of travel whose pages we turn
from day to day.
W. HERBERT BURK.