The Hundred Sights of Paris [antikvár]

THE BEAUTY OF PARIS « Paris took possession of my heart even when 1 was a chili, and hercin I haüzfared as I have in all things of high excellence; the more I have sincz seen of other lovzly cities, the more doth the loüeliness of this one síüay and win my affection. 1 lőve hzr for her own sakand more in her simple being than charged with foreign splendour. / love her tenderly : yea, her vzry flecks and flaws. I oiüe my nams of Frenchman solely to this great city : great by virtus of her inhabitants and the beauty of her site, but chizfly great and incomparable by reason of the nariety and diversity of hzr amenities : the glory of Francé and one of the World's most noble ornaments. » MoNTAIGNE, Essays, III, IX. PARIS, imíversally beloved as a spring of generous thoughts, universally known as a workshop of objects matchless in beauty, calls up by the mere witchery of her name the vision of a rich spintual treasury, of an immense casket wherein are enshrined the noblest dreams of art, the rarest fruits of humán labour. Paris makes upon all who have visited her, whether as tourists or pilgnms, an ineffaceable impression. In her the farmer ever find all the charm of variety, the latter enjoy the lessons taught by Science and Beauty : all alike in this favoured spot lament the swift flight of time. Paris owes her fascination both to her past and to her present, to her handicraftsmen, to her scholars and her artists. The country visitor and the foreigner, as soon as they set foot in the capital, fali under her spell, absorb her memories, are quickened by the atmosphere they breathe. She is the city of light and life ; sister-hearted, accessible to all. After Athens and Romé it is Paris, which for centuries has been moulding the mind of man. « Paris, said Victor Hugó truly, labours for the whole humán commonwealth. » It is indeed rare to find in one place and at one time such a manifestation of high impulses, intellect, and achievement. The fact is that the population of Paris, slowly growing through the ages, is a mighty worker, athirst for novelty and progress, eager to know, interested in every new idea, whatever be its source. So the aspect of this wonderful city is completed by the Parisian, her child, an artist from his birth. It is doubtless in gratitude for this gift that he remains so firmly attached to her and pays her steady, filial homage. His heart beats in tune with hers ; his ardour kindles at a question of úrban policy ; he suffers when one single memóriái of her history is removed ; he stands in joyful contemplation of her beauties0 He knows that by