1808.] 
history, which is opened for the inspection 
of the Parisians, every ‘Tuesday, F riday, 
and Sunday, in the evenings; but this col- 
lection is not equal to what the Leverian 
Museum was in London, before the negli- 
gence of the nation suffered it to be dis- 
persed and destroyed ! 
In the higher part of the garden, which 
consists of forty acres, they have an, avi- 
ary for birds of every species, and near it a 
menagerie for foreign beasts of the tame 
kind. At the lower end of the garden 
there is a collection of ferocious animals, 
which are likewise exhibited to the pub- 
lic, on the same days, proper persons be- 
ing appointed by the government to ex- 
plain the objects, and preserve decorum, 
The Palais de Tribunat was formerly 
celebrated under the name of the Palais 
Royal. The palace was built by Cardi- 
nal Richelieu, in 1636, and was then 
called fe Palais Richelieu; brit failing 
into the possession of the crown by 
the will of the Gardinal, Anne of 
Austria came to inhabitit with Louis the 
XiVth. from which event, it received the 
name Palais Royal, or the Royal Palace. 
At the death of Louis XIV, it passed ito 
the family of Crleans, who occupied i 
‘until 1794. The late duke caused the 
formation of those superb arcades, gaile- 
ries and gardens, which are the admira 
tion of all the world. In 1802, they 4 
Hibunat, from which it derives its pre- 
ent desivnation. 
' This seducing place, is to Paris, what 
Paris is to the continent, the centre and 
~ focus of luxurious accommodation, Here 
the arts are multiphed in endless succes- 
ue the painter, the engraver, the mo- 
eller, the watchmaker, the enameller, 
the milliner, the perfumer, the chemist, 
the optician, the feather-maker, Wc. exert 
. every nerve, and exhaust every artifice to 
attract the gazing passenger; and make, 
even the miser undraw his purse-strings 
in trembling extacy, to purchase some 
brilliant bauble, which his understanding 
might scorn, when reflectme on the real 
wants of man. 
From the going down of the sun till 
midnight, this place seems like the high 
fair of vanity; our ears are saluted with 
music of every kind: the coffee-houses 
are filled with noisy puliticians, who, af- 
fect to predict and regulate the destiny 
of PRS whilst they are unassured of 
a dinner on the ensuingday, The beau- 
monde parade 1n the garish ostentation, 
solicitous merely to be seen, and not to 
gee. Lhe variegated lamps, in fanciful 
. ~ 
A View of Modern Paris. 
ted up here the hal] for the sittings of a 
10} 
confusion, dazzle the senses; while the - 
painted daughters of Venus encircle you, 
with smiles and meretricious argument to 
lead you to their bowers. where Pleasure 
beckons at the gate, and Repentance ter- 
minates the scene. 
In the cellars, or subterraneous saloons, 
you are entertained with conjurers exhi- 
biting their deceptive arts: negroes beat- 
ing the tambourin: dancing girls: tum- 
bling boys: veutriloquists, and dramatie 
exhibitions, not of the first class, it may 
be supposed; but they previously claim 
our indulgence, by the following apt 
motto: —“ Jugez nous par notre zile, et 
non par le talent?” —« Judge us by our 
zeal, and not by our ability ;? :”? which is a 
modest intimation, that might suit other 
theatres, as well as the minor spectacles 
in this place. 
In the galleries of this palace, we find 
people busied at billiards, cards, and every 
game of skill and hazard, by which the wi- 
ley adventurer who is ‘unencumbered with 
a patrimony, can raise a fund: but it 1s 
generally at the expence of young gentle- 
men, who think that candour consists in 
expression, and honour in appearances: 
and who discover eveutually there are 
but two parties who play; viz. those who 
will win, and those who must lose! 
The Libraries of Paris, are well fur- 
nished. The principal is the Imperial 
Library in Rue Richelieu, which is open 
te the public every Tuesday and Friday, 
and to men of letters every day. King 
John collected the first elements of this 
library. Charles V. methodized’ and 
added to it, but it became’ consider- 
able under the great Colbert, who caused 
this building to be raised, for the purpose 
of augmenting it, and giving it an air of 
national dignity. They have preserved 
here, the original letters of Henry IV. 
to la belle d’Estrées, and some MSS. of 
Louis XIV. 
Besides this, there are the libraries at 
the College Mazarine, the Library of the 
Institute, and the Library of the Arsenal, 
all of which are open to the public. 
I forgot to notice that the Imperial Lis 
brary has been much enlarged by the 
present emperor, who has enriched it 
with a great number of valuable MSS. 
and books brought from conquered na-~ 
tions. 
There are twenty-four theatres at 
Paris, and they are all crowded on 
holidays, and particularly on Sundays. 
As it is indispensable to give the Pa- 
risians much novelty, these theatres 
are supplied by a legion of authors, 
amounting 
