Paris As It Was and As It Is

Paris As It Was and As It Is

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Title: Paris As It Was and As It Is
Author: Francis W. Blagdon
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PARIS
AS IT WAS AND AS IT IS;
OR
A Sketch of the French Capital,
ILLUSTRATIVE OF
THE EFFECTS OF THE REVOLUTION,
WITH RESPECT TO
SCIENCES, LITERATURE, ARTS, RELIGION, EDUCATION,
MANNERS, AND AMUSEMENTS;
COMPRISING ALSO
A correct Account of the most remarkable National Establishments and
Public Buildings.
In a Series of Letters,
WRITTEN BY AN ENGLISH TRAVELLER,
DURING THE YEARS 1801-2,
TO A FRIEND IN LONDON.
* * * * *
_Ipsâ varietate tentamus efficere, ut alia aliis, quædem fortasse
omnibus placeant. PLIN. Epist._
* * * * *
VOL. I
LONDON
1803

ADVERTISEMENT.
In the course of the following production, the Reader will meet with
several references to a Plan of Paris, which it had been intended to
prefix to the work; but that intention having been frustrated by the

rupture between the two countries, in consequence of which the copies
for the whole of the Edition have been detained at Calais, it is hoped
that this apology will be accepted for the omission.

CONTENTS.
VOLUME FIRST.
New Organization of the National Institute
INTRODUCTION
LETTER I. On the ratification of the preliminary treaty of peace, the
author leaves London for Paris--He arrives at Calais on the 16th of
October, 1801--Apparent effect of the peace--After having obtained a
passport, he proceeds to Paris, in company with a French naval officer.
LETTER II. Journey from Calais to Paris--Improved state of
agriculture--None of the French gun-boats off Boulogne moored with
chains at the time of the attack--St. Denis--General sweep made, in
1793, among the sepultures in that abbey--Arrival at Paris--Turnpikes
now established throughout Prance--Custom-house scrutiny.
LETTER III. Objects which first strike the observer on arriving at Paris
after an absence of ten or twelve years--Tumult in the streets
considerably diminished since the revolution--No liveries seen--Streets
less dangerous than formerly to pedestrians--Visits paid to different
persons by the author--Price of lodgings nearly doubled since 1789
--The author takes apartments in a private house.
LETTER IV. Climate of Paris--Thermolampes or stoves which afford
light and heat on an economical plan--Sword whose hilt was adorned
with the Pitt diamond, and others of considerable value, presented to
the Chief Consul.
LETTER V. Plan on which these letters are written.
LETTER VI. The Louvre or National Palace of Arts and Sciences
described --_Old Louvre_--Horrors of St. Bartholomew's day--From
this palace Charles IX fired on his own subjects--Additions
successively made to it by different kings--Bernini, sent for by Lewis
XIV, forwarded the foundation of the New Louvre, and returned to
Italy--Perrault produced the beautiful colonnade of the Louvre, the
master-piece of French architecture--Anecdote of the Queen of England,
relict of Charles I--Public exhibition of the productions of French
Industry.

LETTER VII. _Central Museum of the Arts_--_Gallery of
Antiques_--Description of the different halls and of the most
remarkable statues contained in them, with original observations by the
learned connoisseur, Visconti.
LETTER VIII. Description of the Gallery of Antiques, and of its
_chefs-d'oeuvre_ of sculpture continued and terminated--Noble
example set by the French in throwing open their museums and
national establishments to public inspection--Liberal indulgence shewn
to foreigners.
LETTER IX. General A----y's breakfast--Montmartre--Prospect thence
enjoyed --Theatres.
LETTER X. Regulations of the Police to be observed by a stranger on
his arrival in the French capital--Pieces represented at the _Théâtre
Louvois_ --Palais du gouvernement or Palace of the Tuileries
described--It was constructed, by Catherine de Medicis, enlarged by
Henry IV and Lewis XIII,