Galignani's New Paris Guide, for 1855; Revised and Verified by Personal Inspection, and Arranged on an Entirely New Plan

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... ternally by buttresses. This beautiful hall, the windows of which have been further enriched by stained glass, is worth the attention of the antiquarian. Interior.--Library.--The new library is fitted up in the most tasteful style. It is bisected by a line of seven lofty and slender columns, from each of which spring eight ribs, expauding along the groins of the vault. To the right on en-, tering, is an elegant Gothic recess, with a groined head; a projecting balustrade shows that it was formerly used by the monks as a pulpit for reading during meals; at present it is merely ornamental; a secret staircase within the wall gives access to it. The whole interior of the building is painted in the Byzantine style; the capitals and bases of the columns are gilt. The floor is boarded in the centre, but bordered with a sort of mosaic of glazed bricks of various colours. The bookcases and furniture are of oak, and of Gothic design. The ogives of the eastern wall, now walled up, contain figures of Chemistry, Natural Philosophy, Painting and the Plastic Art, painted in fresco; in the roses above are busts representing Art and Science. The general effect of the whole is extremely grand. The visitor may pass from this to the collection-rooms on the Ground-floor.--In the vestibule, which contains a bas-relief, representing Doedalus and Icarus, by Ruxtheil, besides busts of Laplace, Vaucanson, and other eminent men, and gives access to a spacious garden which is not open to the public, are models of smelting-furuaces, and the machinery used in raising the obelisk of Luxor (See p. 185, 194.) In the hall to the left on entering, are weighing machines, together with a collection of the weights and measures of the principal countries of the world. Returning to the vestibule, the ...