Evening star., 1909-04-17
PRESERVES HISTORIC PLACES
METHOD OF PROCEDURE IN
FRANCE-soME RESULTS.
Interest Taken by the Republic in
Landmarks and Relics of
Other Times.

From the New Orleans Times-Democrat
In the matter of preserving anything
possessing a natural or historical interest
France sets an admirable example to the
whole world. Splendid results have been
achieved since 1880. when the French gov
ernment first voted funds for the preser-
walton of historic monuments. The sum
set apart for this purpose has increased
year by year until il has reached ST.
cuo,GGo.
The expenditure is in the hands of spe-
cial council composed of the directors OF
fine arts and national museums under the
surveillance of the ministry of public in
struction and fine arts. Fresh treasures
are acquired and those already possessed
are kept in perfect repair. So popular is
the work that no deputy, no matter what
his political opinions, has ever been
known to vote against the annual subsidy
that keeps for the nation the precious
heritage OF its past. In addition private
individuals have over and over again
come to the help of the state on occasions
when exceptionally large sums were ac-
auired. The words monuments ms
toriques seem to be an 'open sesame
to all pockets. 1t is comprehensive. form
fay-away .AIgiers equally with some grand
cathedral at home.
Duties of the Inspector.
The method of procedure is very simple.
A government inspector in the course OF
his rambles happens on church which,
though without value architecturaily
speaking, may contain magnificent door
way. baptismal font which is a poem In
stone or tomb bearing a Merovinglan
inscription. Or he may visit little known
abbey with a cloiSter or belfry which is
practically priceless. The inspector re-
ports his discoveries as being worthy OF
preservation and the government COM
nlunicates with the owners. They are
asked if they will allow their particular
treasures to BE classified as monuments
historiaues." and if. as is probable. the
answer is in the affirmative. money grants
are made for their preservation. the
amounts, of course. varying according to
CircumS tanceS.
The council is the loving guardian of
the nations treasures. and many cele-
brated old chateauX have been prevented
from passing into the hands of strangers
through its intervention. case OF this
kind was the purchase of the Chateau
of AZay lie Rideau in Touraine and its
conversion into Renaissance museum.
Sometimes it happens that the owner of
some ancient chateau requests that 1t
may be added to the number of historic
buildings under state guardianship. An
architect is sent to examine and value
it. plans and photographs are furnished
to the members of the council. and should
the expert report favorably the govern
ment offers to contribute certain sum
toward it's maintenance. 1t is possible
that the amount may be deemed insult
ticient and the offer refused but should
it be accepted and the property
pass under the control of the
state-be it stained glass window
in some ancient church or a
chateau of the Renaissance-it can neither
be sold. exchanged, repaired nor restored.
not even receive a coat of paint. without
the approval of the government.
No Outside Interference.
A case in point occurred some years
ago in connection with the beautiful
Church of st. Ouen at Rouen. After it
was cassed as monument historiqua''
the state voted a large sum for it's restora-
ton. During the progress of this work
the church committee committed the in
discretion of placing in the building a
number of statues that had not first been
submitted to the government art expert.
This official condemned them as being in
harmonious to the exquisite medieval in
terror which was being restored with such
great cost and with infinite care. The
state threatened to withdraw it's subsidy
unless the offending statues were remoy-
ed: the church said. ''They shall stay
where we have placed them" A long
and bitter controversy followed. but in
the end the holder of the purse triumph
ed-the statues disappeared