Page:Three Years in Europe.djvu/256

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THREE YEARS IN EUROPE.

in 1810 to celebrate the victories of 1805. The figures on the column are faithful representations of the troops engaged, and the reliefs on the pedestal represent the uniforms and weapons of conquered armies. Napoleon's statue which crowns the column was not constructed till 1831. The Communists of 1871, laid their vandal hands on this noble trophy,—and when I last visited Paris in 1871, the column had been cast down from its pedestal. It has been since restored to its place.

Walking a little further eastwards by the Rue de Rivoli, we find a humbler monument dedicated to another inspired soul who loved France and saved her in the hour of danger and foreign invasion. Joan of Arc.The small statue of Joan of Arc riding a horse is not worthy, either in design or in magnitude, of the inspired maiden who put on armour and spurs in the hour of her country's danger, and beat back the stubborn English invaders from post to post and fortress to fortress until she recrowned her King and fulfilled her mission. By her king's order she still persevered in the work, and fell in the attempt,—and the burning of this heroic and inspired girl who loved and fought for her country is among the most shameful chapters in the annals of England's wars.

Walking further eastwards by the Rue de Rivoli we next come to the historic Palais Royal, constructed by the great cardinal Richelieu. Palais Royal.There is now a garden inside the palace, which is surrounded on all sides by a series