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dence of the venerable Franklin, whilst Ambassador in France; and after leaving St. Cloud on our right, we arrived at a large handsome building, which we found to be the Royal Manufactory of Porcelain, adjoining to the little village of Sevre. Here we stopped and went over the house, which contained some most beautiful specimens of porcelain work. Many of the French whom we met with, appeared greatly delighted whenever they could obtain a confession from the English, that France excelled England in any of its productions. The man who conducted us over this manufactory, looked rather disappointed when, on asking Mr. B. whether we had any thing like it in England, he received for answer, "Yes, and much better! That this feeling is, however, not peculiar to France, will be readily acknowledged by any person who has been out of his native country.

As we approached VERSAILLES, we entered upon a fine road lined with trees, at the further end of which we alighted from our vehicle. The Palace is situated on one side of a large quadrangle, and the opposite side is chiefly occupied by the Royal stables. The front of the palace itself forms three sides of a square, and is a stone building of great magnificence. The adjacent sharp roof of the Royal Chapel presents a remarkable appearance, and immediately attracts the eye of the stranger. We easily obtained admission into the apartments, and were much gratified by the inspection of them. The different rooms were dignified by the titles of Salle d'Apollon, Salle

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de Mercure, Salle de Mars, &c., and ornamented with paintings appropriate to their several designations. The principal hall has been enriched by the artist, with representations of the leading events of the reign of LOUIS XIV., if I remember rightly. The interior of the Chapel is rather elegant. The ceiling finely painted to represent the Trinity; the Father at the farther extremity, the Son in the middle, and the Holy Ghost at the opposite end! The rest of the building was of plain stone, without any species of ornament.

Adjoining to the Palace is a Theatre, for the accommodation of the Royal Inhabitants. It was in great disorder when we saw it, being filled with a vast number of paintings which were in want of places: there was nothing amongst them of any great merit.

When we had viewed all the interior of the Palace, we went into THE GARDENS, which were extremely spacious, and laid out in the French style, with the trees all cut, and a great number of basins with various devices of fountains! A profusion of statues and vases was dispersed throughout the grounds. The large basin, at the farther extremity of the garden, is ornamented with a piece of sculpture in the centre, representing Neptune in a car drawn by four sea-horses, and surrounded by Tritons. When the Water-works play, jets d'eau issue from the mouths of the horses, and from the conch shells of the attendant sea-gods.

On reaching this Fountain, we turned into an avenue of trees on the right hand, from the extremity of

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which we saw, at the terminations of two other diverging avenues, the palaces called TRIANONS-Le grand and le petit. The great Trianon consisted of a colonnade and two wings. It was built for the accommodation of Madame Maintenon. We went over the apartments, which were fitted up in a style of great elegance. Our steps were next directed towards the little Trianon, formerly the abode of Madame Pompadour. It is much in the style of a plain English gentleman's house, and is at present the residence of one of the Princesses. The apartments here were elegant, but without much show. The garden adjoining the house is called English. and was made after designs sent over from England; winding walks, pieces of water, rustic bridges, artificial grottoes and summer-houses for music, &c. make it a little paradise! Concealed amidst the trees stands a very small Theatre, whose interior appeared to have been newly adorned with all the Bourbon insignia. This little building interested us the more, from the recollection that here the unfortunate Marie Antoinette had sustained her part in the performances under the character of some rural shepherdess. We were far more highly delighted with this sequestered and diminutive spot of ground than with all the more extensive and formal gardens laid out after the French style!

On our return to our carriage, we walked through some of the streets of VERSAILLES, which were large, pleasant and handsome. Here we met with a specimen of French impudence and extortion in the fellow who had requested, on our getting down from our

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vehicle, to have the honour of conducting us. After finishing our peregrination, we thought it was amply sufficient to give this guide three francs for his trouble. This did not satisfy the gentleman, who demanded FIVE. He was, however, obliged to content himself with four-and this sum was a handsome remuneration.

We took ST. CLOUD in our way home-alighted at the Park, and walked through it. An opening in the trees gave us a sight of the celebrated Cascade: the water was not then in play. The Palace was situated at the top of a lofty eminence, which we ascended, but could not gain admittance to view the interior, as it was past four o'clock. The exterior gave no great indications of grandeur. The building formed three sides of a quadrangle; and a little below are situated the stables and other offices. The House commands a most beautiful prospect: the noble trees of the Park form the fore-ground immediately below you; beyond them appears the Seine, with the fine bridge of St. Cloud, on which some workmen were still repairing the arches that had been blown up by Napoleon, to impede the approach of the Allies to Paris. In the horizon the extended view is terminated by the City of PARIS, whose white stone houses, interspersed with numerous domes and towers, formed no mean finish to the picture! Being obliged to postpone our inspection of the interior of the Palace, we returned down the hill to our vehicle, crossed the bridge, passed through, the village and the wood af

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Boulogne-then again, through Passy, by the banks of the Seine, to PARIS.

After dining at the Café de Chartres, we visited some of the Cafés of THE PALAIS ROYAL, which certainly deserve a visit more from their singularity than from their respectability. In the Café des Aveugles there was a band of blind musicians. In the Café des Variétés, a small stage is erected, and a performance is given, which seemed inexhaustible, as it proceeded without any intermission throughout the evening. The wit of the dialogue could not be expected to be of the most brilliant kind; but the place seemed to draw spectators-in other words, customers, since the waiter is not at all dilatory in demanding-what you will be pleased to have!

Wednesday, 2.-Went to the Police Office this morning, and received our passport, which had been deposited there on our arrival in Paris,

Returning thence, we met a cabriolet for NEUILLY; and, having heard of the elegant Bridge at that place, we entered this machine-the fare, ten sous each. Our driver very modestly told us "quinze;" but we declined the compliment, by assuring him that we should not burden him with more than the usual fare. After a pleasant ride through the Champs Elysées, we approached the unfinished Arc de l'Etoile, which was begun by Buonaparte as a triumphal arch :-there are at present no workmen employed upon it. A short ride farther brought us to Neuilly. The town lies on the opposite bank, and the communication is by the

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