Viewing page 94 of 101

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

built of a light gray sandstone, and of the most perfect worksmanship. It was begun by Napoleon in 1806, but when it had reached the first cornice, the work was deserted until 1822 when it was taken up again and finished by Louis Philips in 1836. We think it the finest thing we have seen of its kind. Placed on a pedestal on each side of the arch are splendid groups of sculpture eighteen feet high. One represents the setting out of Napoleon for fame, and the old men cheering the young ones on. The other represents  him as having won his laurels with which he is being crowned. The fringe is ornamented with fine sculpture - representing Napoleon's battles, the figures the size of life. The two sides correspond in design, but on that facing the West the large groups of sculpture represent the laying-aside of arms and the restoration of peace - harnessing the ox to the plough - but thee groups are very inferior to those on the Eastern side. The total height of the edifice is one hundred and fifty two feet. On going to ascend, we found that the doors were not yet open. So we went to see the Chapel of Ferdenand, which is not very far distant. We were quite disappointed with this. It is small and is buried behind a stone wall that not much is to be seen of the exterior.

[[end page]]

[[start page]]

and as we learned that we could not be admitted to see the interior until one o-clock, we decided to come again. On returning to the Arc de l'Etoile we found it open, and for a half fare we were able to go to the top, which we reached by a winding stairway through the dark. The view of Paris from here is very fine, it lay spread out before us looking beautiful in the morning sunlight. The conspicuous features are, the Pantheon, Notre Dame, and the Tuileries and its gardens, & in addition numbers of other grand buildings. The country surrounding Paris is level and well cultivated. When we had seen all we returned home, where we arrived in time for a good dinner. After which, and resting a while, father and I took a walk outside the wall of the city, and up on to the Mont Martre, from which we had nearly as fine a view of Paris as the one we had seen in the morning. In returning we passed the back of Cardinal Richelieu's garden.
March 5th. In the morning father went to see Mr. William Fry (Correspondent of the N.Y. Tribune) who is staying at No 12 Rue Castigtione. Mother sewed and I drew a horse out of the window. Mr. Newbold Smith, brother