But the museum of Cluny is (he most ancient of all the ancient monuments of Paris. It is almost the sole relic of the Roman period in Paris, Cluny.and the building was the palace of Emperor Chlorus Constantine, A. D. 292, i. e., sixteen hundred years ago! It contains collections of prehistoric flints, Celtic antiquities, Roman pottery and sculpture, ancient French tapestry, French, Flemish, Dutch and German wares, and carriages, arms and furniture of different periods of French history. Many curious things are kept here and are shewn to visitors.
Leaving Cluny we go further south along the Boulevard de St. Michel, and come to the historic edifice of Sorbonne associated with the literature and the genius of France! Sorbonne.The famous Sorbonne University was founded in the reign of St. Louis of France in 1250 and it soon became the chief institution of school-men and theologians who promulgated their opinions so boldly as not unfrequently to oppose the spiritual authority of the Pope himself. In later times Guizot and Victor Cousin and a host of eminent thinkers delivered their famous lectures here. A medallion figure of Cousin is prominent in the courtyard, and a street in front of the building is named after the philosopher. It is needless to say that this building with its lofty dome is the centre of the University and schools and colleges of Paris which are extending on every side,—and thousands of college students and ardent school boys receive their training under the shadow of this venerable edifice.
