Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-09-26

dent probably due to the impulsiVe lia
ture of the French people who are
easily excited in times OF apparent
danger, was the cause of seVenty-HNe
or hundred deaths. In the stampede
which followed from a car Icing set on
fire many We're stitledand crushed, some
beyond recognition. The bodies un-
claimed were buried at public expense.
The funeral was held in Noue Dame
cathedral. Mounted police formed
square about the large yard, three or
four acres in extent, in front of the
church to keep the people back that
the hearses might have room 10 come
out in line 1t was the most i'm
pressive scene have witnessed to see
those long lines of hearses with foot
men following with bowed heads. while
the huge bell of Notre Dame which
rings only very rarely-only one other
time during our stay. when the Pope
was bured-sloWly tolled With its
deep mellow notes like the strains of
some great church organ and the
whole multitude stood with uncovered
heads as the lines of hearses slowly
threaded their way along the densely
crowded avenues. Ii is mark of
respect which the French show that
Whenever q funeral procession passes
along the street the men all remove
their hats a proof Of the sympathetic
impulse of their nature.
Almost directly across the river from
Notre Dame is the Louvre, too vel
known TO need much description. con-
tanning the most valuable collection of
sculpture and paintings in the world.
1t takes days to see all the wonderful
things in this immense building. If
extended in line l should say the
buildings would be mile in length.
Here the artists come to study art from
old masters. Dozens of people were
copying pictures and not till then did
realize something of the important
features which give value to the
paintings OF great artists. Some of
the copies if had seen elsewhere |
should have considered particularly
fine and | doubt if | could have seen
amy man ks of inferiOrity in them. but
standing beside the original it did not
require much Of an artist to see the
difference. The almost perfect blend
ing of colOrs was. sadly initiated in
many places and the expression and
feeling We're lacking in their intensity.
There We're many copies that [ am
sure ! should not have considered good
if / had seen them elsewhere. Some
Of the faces We're simply daubs of
paint, lifeless. spiritless. and unattrac-
tive. | never before realized what an
immense chasm there is between some
thing and nothing.
In one of the courts beside this build
ing is 4 statue of Lafayette erected
with money given by the school chill
dren OF America. 1t is made to repre-
sent Il bronze statue of Lafayette
mounted on a horse. with q huge gran
tie pedestal ana must have been very
beautiful when new but unfortunately
it is not the real thing it represents
for in several places. parts We're cleaV-
ing Oft showing it to be made of plas-
ter or some such material. AS it APP
pears now it is not an ornament to tn
place ard it is TO be regretted that any
such representative of America should
stand in such q conspicuous place as
this. Ii is entirely out of accord with
the manner in which Americans usual
ly do things Undoubtedly those going
to visit Paris Will acQuaint some of
our people with the fact and Il more
durable one will be placed in its stead
A HALLOWELL TEACHER.