$8 
. ¢ ed - 
after that ordeal, they are formally con- 
tracted and registered by the magistrate, 
and then publicly married by their re- 
spective priests, in the cathedral, church, 
or chapel, to which they may belong. 
The Police of Paris. is, I believe, the 
most comprehensive establishment of that 
nature that was ever formed in any na- 
tion. Icannot give you a detailed, but I 
will give you a brief idea of its power, 
privileges, and effect. 
The office of the general police is upon 
the Quai Voltaire, where four counsel- 
lors of state work every day with the mi- 
nister of the police, and are charged with 
the necessary correspondence of the of- 
fice. The prefecture of the police is si- 
tuated in the court of the Palace of Jus- 
tice, where the prefect gives public au- 
dience every Monday at noon, to receive 
the lesser order of complaints. The ge- 
neral police of Paris maintains a vigilant 
correspondence with all the departments 
of the Frenchempire, and its orders are 
enforced with a promptitude that is asto- 
nishing. When an alien arrives at a 
port, or frontier town, in France, he de- 
livers his passport to the secretary of the 
mayor, who retains it, and, after demand- 
ing his occupation, and the name of the 
place to which he is travelling, he gives 
the stranger another passport, in which 
his age and person are accurately des- 
cribed. Upon this official warrant he 
travels, in a direct line, to the destined 
place, where he presents himself to the 
police, and finds his ovfyinal passport de- 
posited: here he receives a forma! per- 
mission from the government to reside 
for a specified period ; and, at his depar- 
ture, he receives his original passport, 
which enables him to leave the French 
empire without molestation, All per- 
sons who reside in Paris, or any other 
city in France, are not permitted to 
change their hotel, or lodgings, with- 
out informing the police of their removal, 
and receiving a new warrant: nor can 
any maitre dhdtel admit you as a lodger 
in his house, without informing the po- 
lice also; as, in case of non-perform- 
ance, he would be liable to very serious 
pains and penalties. I think I see your 
generous nature revolt at such instances 
ef despotism, which are so opposite to 
the benign ‘spirit of the British constitu- 
tion, and as unnecessary as disgusting 
to the loyal disposition of a British sub- 
jeer. 
Paris is surrounded by barrieres, or 
gates, which are connected with each 
ether by high wails or strong fences ; and 
4 View of Modern Paris. 
[March I, & 
it is impossible to pass through these, 
at any time, without being liable to 
a strict personal examination, so that no 
criminal cai escape but with great dif- 
ficulty; and in some solitary instances 
where they have contrived to elude the 
vigilance of the metropolitan police, they 
have been eventually arrested at the fron- 
tier towns, by means of the telegraphic 
dispatches. 
Itis also at these gates where they 
collect the tax called l’octroi, which is a 
species of excise. 
All the coachmen, watermen, drivers 
of chaises, porters, &c. of Paris, receive 
a number from the police, which they 
conspicuously wear ; and by this measure 
they are continually liable to punishment 
for any species of abuse or extortion 
which they may practise on @ native or 
stranger, in their several vocations: but 
this species of necessary regulation is 
confined to the capital, as, in the depart- 
ments, a foreign traveller experiences as 
much extortion and indecency of, lan- 
guage, as in any other community on 
earth. 
There is also a military police, which 
has its office on the Quai Voltaire, s 
ordinate to the disposition of the 
nister. 
It is asserted that such a syst 
espionage is kept up in Paris, and; 
great towns, that the leading poi 
conversation in coifee-houses, t 
theatres, &c. are known to the g 
ment; and, when necessary, the dee 
ers also: but I never saw a direct 
of this assertion, nor indéed any c 
upon conversation, but what discre 
might suggest in any country. le 
As to the Musée Napoleon, or Napo- 
leon Museum, it is impossible to convey 
to you any idea that would be adequate 
to the impression which this precious col- 
Jection of all that is great, rare, and fine in 
art, so forcibly makes upon any observer 
who has been refined by education. The 
chef d’euvres of painting and sculpture; 
all that remains in preservation of the 
works of the inimitable Greek sculptors ; 
those breathing marbles which embel- 
lished the temples of Athens and Rome, 
and before which the ancient world bow- 
ed, in a spirit of piety as to the sem- 
blances of their gods, and in a spirit of 
enthusiasm as to the semblanees of their 
heroes, are coliected and placed inthe ~~ 
saloons of the Louvre; those superb 
pictures which ornamented the Vatican of 
Rome, and the rich gallery ofthe house 
of Biedici, with those exquisite altar- 
ty pieces 
4 
