Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-06-28
STREET PAYMENTS.
Gruesome as Well as Costly Materials
Used in the Work.

From Tit-Bits.
Streets paved with glass are not by any
means unknown. The famous Rue de la
Republique at Lyons is a notable example
Here the pavement is laid in glass blocks,
inches square, which are so symmetrically
htted together as to prevent the possibility
or water passing between the interstices
Compressed grass has been used in the con-
struction of a Philadelphia street with it is
said, admirable results; and not long since
a scheme for employing compressed paper
for like purpose was mooted in Russia.
An italian nobleman has lately had the
court yard OF his palace paved with slabs of
marble, granite, and other stone, every one
OF which has been brought from different
land. Europe, Asia, Africa, America and
Australia have all supplied materials for
over 800 pieces, each engraved with the
name OF the country or state from which it
came.
On the occasion of his accession to the
throne Of Bavaria, Macmillan Emanuel
had one of the roads leading to his palace
paved with plates of FURNISHED copper
which, cleaning In the sunshine, had ali
me eirect or the more precious metal, gold
Down this road it was his intention to pro-
ceea IN royal pomp, but his purpose was
unfortunately frustrated by gang of rob-
pers, who one night overpowered the
guards and carried off much of the valua-
bic paving.
Louis XIV had one of the courts of his
palace at Versailles paved with squares of
silver each of which recorded some fri
uhnph TO the French arms. These sur
rounded large tablet of gold in the CEN
ter OF which the Sun-the monarch's favor
ite embiem-was represented by dazzling
piaze of costly gems. Another court of this
most sumptuous dwelling was paved with
slabs or Jasper, agate and other rare stones
For the love of his youth, Louise de Ia
VALERIE, the same ruler, caused to be con-
structed lodge whereof the approach was
paved with glass mirrors painted with an
aiesory representing the fervor and dura-
bility of his love
RAISING from the gorgeous to the fam
tast1c, we may mention the strange fancy
of rich Berlin tradesman who had the
walks OF the garden that was attached to
his country villa laid down with number
OF coffin lids, which he had been at con-
siderable time and expense to collect They
We're Of all ages and conditions from the
wooden covering for the peasant TO the
most elaborate metal work designed for
noble or prince. On his death some years
back his son replaced them with ordinary
gravel and subsequently presented the most
valuable to a local museum
IombStones are not infrequently employed
IN dlfferent parts of Nottinghamshire Der
pyshlre, Lincolnshire and Leicestershire for
the purpose of paving, and year or so
back the fnha btants Of the Vale of Belyoir
raised vehement protest against their be-
ing used for pathway leading to the par
ism church. The local authorities, however
endeavored to excuse themselves on the
ground that they had plenty of old grave
stones on hand, which if utilized would as
suredly save the ratepayers' pockets
Even more gruesome, however is the
pavement at Gwandu, Africa, in the making
OF which over $1,000 human skulls are said
to have been employed. The town. which
Is oval in shape, is girdled by a ring of
lofty poles, on the summit of every one of
which is placed a skull, while each of the
six gates is led up to by a pavement of
skulls, which from constant friction CLEANS
like a way of polished ivory