43 6 PALAIS ROYAL. 



done pilafters, as Is the avantccrps itfelf which is 

 crowned with a circular fronton, wherein two figures 

 are feen fupporting the arms of the houfe of Orleans. 

 This work is alfo of pajou. We now enter the vefti- 

 bule, which leads from the firfl court into the fecond, 

 termed la cour royale. Vaft done pillars are here 

 raifed on both fides, whofe efTedt however is very much 

 injured by the fhops and flails inferted between them, 

 fo that it is next to impoffible for a man to get through 

 the colonnade. 



This part of the palace is properly the dwelling of the 

 duke of Orleans. The afcent to it is formed by a mag- 

 nificent flight of fleps, and all decent perfons are al- 

 lowed to enter in and to be Ihewn by his people the 

 treafures of art, of nature, of antiquities, and luxuries,, 

 with which the apartments abound. Painting was far 

 a long time his ruling paffion, and he fpared neither 

 expence nor trouble, to get together a collection of 

 pictures, which is become one of the iinen: in all 

 Europe. There is not an antechamber, a room, a 

 cabinet, in this part of the palace where there is not to 

 be feen one or more of the mailer-pieces of the moft 

 celebrated painters. It is permitted to young artifts to 

 copy what they pleafe from thefe pieces, and there are 

 feveral rooms devoted to their ufe in profecuting their 

 ftudies. So likewife the collection of gems Hands 

 open to every one ; as well as thofe of natural curiohties 

 and models of every fpecies of art and mechanifm. 

 Some of the rooms that were fhewn me, exceeded 

 every thing I had feen in my life, in magnificence of 

 hangings, carpets, tapeftry, colli y furniture, entabla- 

 tures, cielings, curtains, beds, toilettes, luflres, and 



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