The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-10-12

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changes in the government of France.
At one time after the restoration of the
kings, Napoleon's figure on the top was
pulled Down and an emblem substi-
tuted; again the whole column was
RACED, but afterwards put together
more magnificent than before.
The great Arch of Triumph, standing
at the head of the Avenue Champs
Elysees and where eleven other streets
and boulevards meet. is another tribute
to Napoleon, erected by his direction.
1t is the largest triumphaI arch in the
world, stands on a slight elevation of
ground, primarily celebrating in mar
BILE the victories of Napoleon, and in
cidentally the successes of his mar
shals.
But the French people of their own
accord and not by edict of the emperor,
built the Tomb of Napoleon, although
he had expressed in his last words de-
sire that his body might rest ION the
banks of the Seine. near the French
people whom I so. greatly love" This
tomb is described as the greatest
mausoleum in the world, although, in
dignity, simplicity and real grandeur,
the tomb of Grant, at Riverside New
dPpCR1cd " Us do d 1DOK6 impress
sive and more fitting monument to a
great character. The gilt dome of Ma
poleon's tomb is prominent from every
portion of Paris. The tomb itself is a
part Of other structures, connected
with it; a chapel and the Hotel des IN
valides, originally a retreat for old SOL
diers, but now, in the main, an exhibit
ton place of military equipment of
i
con, etc.
Upon entering the tomb, whose gem
eral plan resembles that of Grants, one
is impressed with the same awe which
seems to settle down upon the visitor
on entering a cathedral of large proper
tons. The body of Napoleon is contain
ed in a huge block of Siberian, red
marble. weighing about seventy tons,
thirteen feet long, the same height and
half as wide. Around the sarcophagus
is circular space, edged with a dozen
colossal Victories, and inscriptions of
famous Napoleon battles. Here are still
displayed, but in tatters, a few of the
many flags captured by the French.
The tombs of two of Napoleon's
brothers, Jerome and Joseph. are also
here in little chapels opening out to
one side; and also stone coffinsfor Ber-
trand and Duroc, two OF Napoleon's
faithful friends
When you have climbed Mont Martre,
all Paris lies at and around your feet
1t is great panorama. A few minutes
drive in a cab takes you up a steep
street to an incline railway This lifts
you several hundred feet. The rest of
the way up is by walk. On top is a
reservoir for supplying the city with
water, an incomplete cathedral which
has been under construction for many
years and the view. Around the brow
of this hill is a quaint settlement with
old houses, little shops and narrow
streets, all populated by the poorer
classes. The view of the city is mag
ni1cent. Under the hill lie quarries of
the same material found in abundance,
in certain portions of Kansas, gypsum.
We grind this into plaster, so did the
French before us. and thus comes the
name Plaster of Paris. for white pull
verified lime.
A telegram may be sent to any part
of France for little money The price
is five confines, that is, one cent per
word, with a minimum cost of ten cents,
HC PllNC u a ol1OIG>1ilGSSd&S Is 0OL so
little, because everything in it is
charged for, including the address and
the signature.
The Paris authorities have a novel
way of renewing the youth of buildings.
The city is divided into twenty dis
tricts. A law requires that the exteri-
ors of all the buildings in two districts
be cleaned a year. This cleans the en-
tire city once every ten years. This
year the famous Bourse, the stock ex-
change of Paris, was in one of the dis
tricts to be so cleaned. Part of the
work was done and the contrast was
sharp between the columns which had
been gone over and those which yet
had the SCOT and dirt of ten years upon
them. When the work on this building
is finished. Paris will seem to have an
entirely new place for their bulls" and
bears to gambol, or gamble, about in.
The process is one of securing. sand
papering, and sometimes painting. Our
guide, Fava, pointed out some of his
handiwork, for that was his regular
business
1t takes a few days to become adept
with French coins. At noon one day as
we were leaving a Duval cafe I put
ten centime piece on the table for a tip,
under the thoughtIess idea that it was
about ten cents. The waiter soon came
after me and handed back the coin say
ing something in her own tongue. which
1 knew meant break on my part.
for instantly recalled that ten centimes
was but two cents in our money not
liberal tip, although twenty-five cen
times, five cents. would have been all
right.
What does she say?" said I to our
guide.
"she says you have left something"
said he.
I was sorry and chagrined, but could
not very we'll help matters. It was too
late So went out, evidently with the
reputation of being very mean man.
The incident made me an awful coward,