8 ON MUSEUMS, &c., 



drawing materials j applications of drawing and modelling to the useful 

 arts; photographs; musical instruments of all kinds; .medical appa- 

 ratus and surgical instruments of all kinds ; things defined to be 

 " instruments of precision, and material for teaching the sciences," 

 that is, astronomical and land-surveying instruments, theodolites, &c., 

 thermometers, barometers, hygrometers, maps geological and otherwise, 

 and plans in relief Especially noticeable anaong "printed books" 

 were magnificent large-paper copies of Louis Napoleon's Life of Caesar, 

 a production likely to be classed hereafter among the curiosities of lite- 

 rature, its author and his position at the time of its composition being 

 considered. 



One always knew when he had completed the circuit of the building 

 by finding himself again in the grand vestibule, a wide and noble 

 passage leading straight from the principal entrance of the Palace to 

 the central garden ; a passage usually thronged with a mixed multitude, 

 and itself supplied with objects of interest, as, for example, a succes- 

 sion of magnificent specimens of prize plate, won in England by 

 French horses. At several points along the middle of this passage 

 were circles of seats or divans. A vacant spot on one of these was 

 often anxiously watched for in vain by the wearied investigator. 



Proceeding again still outwards, we entered the next gallery. This 

 was styled the Gallery of Furniture; in French briefly Mobilier. This 

 term included an immense variety of things : furniture literally, of the 

 most elaborate description ; inlaid woodwork, picture frames, paintings 

 on wood, tapestries, carpets, crystal, ornamental glass, window glass 

 transparent and opaque, pottery, cutlery, silver and gold ware, works of 

 art in bronze, silver and iron, watches, chronometers, clocks, heating 

 and lighting apparatus, objects in morocco, brushes, products from 

 woody fibre, &c. Among articles of furniture exhibited was "the 

 cradle of the Prince Imperial." On coming suddenly upon this object, 

 I remember thinking its display here a slight overtax on the public 

 curiosity. A resplendent dinner set in silver gilt, the property of the 

 Emperor, duly arranged on a long dining-table, was also exhibited. 



The gallery into which we next passed had the inscription 

 "V§tement" over it — ^'Clothing." Here, in addition to articles of 

 dress of all kinds and in every grade of magnificence, we find cotton, 

 hemp and flax fabrics in infinite variety, silk tissues, combed and carded 

 wool, lace, muslin, embroideries, artificial flowers, caps, hats of straw 

 and all other customary material, head-dresses and shoes, precious stones, 



