New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-27
BASE OF THE LOUVRE.
Erhumed after 200 Years, and
May Be Buried Again
Paris, December Is

Inc NAN-1h dA4OIlS nldu6 Dg N fNeOODs Lne AZ
ehitect in charge of the Louvre Palace. re-
Gently described in The Tribune. disclose the
real aspect Of the ediice as seen in the sew
enteenth century. Two photographs give an
accurate idea Of the Importance Of the stone
substTuctuTes twenty-six feet deep, intended by
the architects of Louis XIII and Louis XIV,
lie MERCER and Perrault, TO be exposed to view.
II is through pure forgetfulness that these
foundations were buried underground for over
two hundred years. The beautiful massive stone
work completely transforms the architectural
character of the building. and renders it far
more imposing. Since the reign of Louis XIV
the Louvre has remained knee deep, as il were.
underground. II is found that the entire
portion Of the Louvre constructed in the seven
teeuth century was surrounded by the sub
structure disclosed by the recent excavations
Il was the intention of the architects, LIE Mer-
cer and Perrault to complete the dry ditch
twenty yards wide around the building when
the work that had been interrupted during the
Regency. was resumed by Cardinal Richelieu
print made in lG51 shows the Louvre sur
rounded 10y the dry ditch and the stone sub
structure. The work on the Louvre was again
brought to a standstil by the death of Louis
XIII The war of The Fronde broke out and
the Louvre momentarily forgotten.
pamphlet published in 1850 relates that
such vast quantities Of refuse and garbage were
thrown into the dry ditch from the windows
Of the Louvre and from the neighboring houses
Is TO completely ill it UP. The court. on this
account, was obliged to abandon the Louvre
each year during the month OF August to en-
able the workmen to clean out the ditch and
remove the filth An engraving dated III
Shows the ditch nearly filed up, and near the
Pavilion de Flore small wine shop had been
built IN the ditch itself. Other old prints show
mat a small foOtbTidge had been thrown over
NE ditch connecting the central entrance gate
with the cOlOnnade. Louis XIV summoned an
architect from Rone-the Chevalier Bernin-
VINO submitted costly plans for reconstructing
NE Louvre and surrounding il with a still
broader and more magnificent dry ditch. The
Alng, however. by this time got tired of spend
ing so much money on the Louvre, and became
absorbed in bis immense work at Versailles
The subsidy Of 100000 francs a year that
louis XIII ana Louis XIV allotted to the
Louvre vas reduced to Zl3.OO0 francs, and final
TO $500 francs. During the latter period
Oh the reign Of Louis XIV the funds were barely
Renlcient 10 prevent the unfinished edifice from
eOlng to ruin Louis XIV increased the archi-
'ectural budget Of the Louvre, and Louis XVI
contributed 10 its completion
Napoleon !, with his characteristic energy,
paced The Louvre under the care Of two of his
eieh4tects' Percier and Fontaine with orders
!" SleSr away the old houses and wine shops
'--@' H@u been built in the bitches OF the palace
anu ie'eI The ground, which was planted with
N-- anu mower beds. Indeed, il was Napoleon
"no put the Louvre In the condition in which
- Is seen to-day NJ. Charles Normand, presi-
ueht OF the Society for the Preservation OF the
monuments OF France, together with several
prominent architects and archsologists has ex-
snined the excavations made by M Redon the
architect OF the palace. Il is estimated that
AV0VOO francs would not cover the cost OF
ogg1ng away the earth so as to disclose the
tu6suUcture. Moreover. such excavations might
entail further work. necessary TO support the
building. II has consequently been decided that
matters had better remain they have for the
-~St two hundred years.
Photograph shows the excavations made by
a. Recon near the side entrance to the Louvre
near the portion Of the building occupied by the
--instry OF Finance. fronting the Rue de Rivon.
lie stonework Of the corner is shown. and the
DIMENSIONS may be appreciated by the figure Of
ne man dt Is that OF NJ Charles NORMANDY
landing near the large vase on the top Of the
~caFauons. This photograph is Of special in
esl because the excavations will soon be filed
y again To continue the work would exceed
NE budget provisions Of fine arts for the pres
VI year and also OF those for many years to
OHie' For two hundred years Parisians have
'7h satisfied with the Louvre without its stone