New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-23
OLD Paris.
It's Strange and Thrilling Story.

PARIS AND ITS STORY BY T. okey, Illus
tgste S BY kathe r III kim hall ana O. F. NJ
what a mighty stream of pleasure made
glad our hearts whenever we had leisure to
visit Paris. the Paradise of the world. and
nnger therer' wrote Richard de Bury in tie
fourteenth century. The learned author of
the 'PhilObiblOn,' singing the joys of the book
collector in the Paris of his time, more
enthusiastic than is the biblOIhile of to-day
as he searches the shelves of the wonderful
little old shops of the Rue Bonaparte or the
Quai VOltaire. The book lovers delight is
typical-the "Paradysum mundi Parisiis' has
inexhaustive riches for the adept and the anna
teur in every intellectual pursuit well for
those to whom life is a playtime.
The story Of Paris as set down in this volume
is of truly thrilling interest 1t is
strange mixture OF glory and of tragedy The
black shadow of tyranny and cruelty darkens
through the ages her narrow streets and the
scent OF blood hangs about them. The author
has been quick to seize the opportunity for
picturesque narrative. and has been careful to
note every remnant OF old Paris which gives
vtvidness to that narrative. Even Gallo Roman
Paris has left for us the remains Of the amphi-
theatre and the aqueduct and Of the baths Of
the palace wherein the Emperor Julian passed
three pleasant winters-and almost died from
the effects OF the charcoal fire which his at
tendants had lighted to dispense the damp Of
his sleeping room. Rich and happy was the
Paris Of his time; then came the barbarian
tnvasions. and in the sixth century cultured
Gaul sank under savage Clovis into woes
scarcely lghtened by his very peculiar Chris
tianity-a kind OF personal devoutness which
largely depended on his success in battle Ter
rible are the episodes that send their baIefuI
glare over the history OF his dynasty. We see
ClOthaire driving his dagger into the breasts
of his two little nephews. the children Of his
dead brother ClOdimir, while the two innOcents
piteOusy beg for life This man gave no mercy
his way to the throne-nor on his way to
the grave, for in his last year of life he Tneted
out strangulation to his rebeIlious son Chramm
and death by fire to the princes widow and
children. The next generation saw another
tragic scene when in one of the Paris streets
his Spanish daughter-in-law. the imperious old
Queen Brunehaut. was tied to the tail Of a
fiery horse and beaten by the furious animal
into what seemed merely a bundle of rags.
The twentieth century traveller who pauses
at the corner of the Rue St. HonOre and the
Rue de TArbre Sec stands. it is said upon the
actual spot of Brunehaut's death ClothaIre
II was the perpetrator Of this deed and of
others in kind. 1t is related of him that after
quelIing Saxon revolt he KILLED all the war
riOrs whose stature exceeded the length of his
sword The history of Paris during the IN
vasions of the Mortimer is a grievous one
but time and again her Notifications saved her
and under the Capetian kings she grew apace
in beauty and strength. One royal figure, that
of Robert the PiOUs. walks through her streets
image OF gentle humanity. The temper OF
his queen. Constance of Aquitaine was his
torment He was ever forced says the author.
to conceal his acts of charity.
One day on returning from prayers he perceived
that his lance by the Queens orders had been
adorned with richly chased silver. He looked
around his palace and long in finding a
poor tattered wretch whom he ordered to search
for a tool. and the pair locked themselves in a
TOom- The silver was soon stripped from the
lance. and the King hastily thrust it into the
beggarS wallet ard babe him escape before the
Queen discovered the loss. The Door whom no ad-
mitted to his table despite the angry protests OF
the Queen. at times Ill repaid his charity. on one