stantly deposited
here 20 full sacks of flour, and as many more as he pleases by paying a
trifle for warehouse room. Just a few steps northward is the Government
Depot of powder and saltpetre.

At a short distance in the Rue St. Antoine, No. 216, is the small church
of the Visitation built by Mansard in 1632, for the Sisters of the
Visitation. It has a dome supported by Corinthian pillars, and the
interior is richly ornamented with scroll work, wreaths of flowers, etc.
It is now appropriated to the protestant worship, and there is service
on Sundays, and festivals at half past 12. On the southern side of the
Boulevard St. Antoine is the Theatre St. Antoine, erected in 1836; the
performances are vaudevilles, little melodrama, and farces. The admission
is from 6_d._ to 2_s._ 6_d._ It contains 1,226 places. The Place de
la Bastille is now before us, and still may be seen the desolate remains
of the great plaster cast of the enormous elephant, intended by Napoleon
to have been placed on this spot, which is now decorated with what is
called the Column of July. The capital is said to be the largest piece
of bronze ever cast, the height is 163 feet, and it is surmounted by an
orb on which is placed the figure of Liberty; and is ornamented with
lions, heads, cocks, children bearing garlands and other emblematical
objects, but the effect of the whole is not happy, there is a sort of
indescribable deficiency, although the cost was 1,200,000f., besides an
immense outlay, years before, for the foundation. The ceremony of its
inauguration took place on the 28th of July, 1840, when fifty coffins,
each containing twelve patriots, were placed in the vaults for them
underneath. Many persons descend to view the arrangements where the
sarcophagi are stationed, which are 14 feet in length, and the trouble
is well repaid; as also for ascending to the summit of the monument, but
the staircase is not considered to be as solid and secure as could be
wished.

At No. 38, Rue de Charenton, will be found the Hopital Royal des Quinze
Vingts, devoted to the reception of the blind. This establishment was
originally founded by St. Louis, at the corner of the Rue St. Nicaise,
in the Rue St. Honore, and ultimately removed to the present building.
There are as many as 300 families living in this Hospital, as the blind
are suffered to bring with them their wives and children, and encouraged
to marry, if single; there are besides 600 out-door pensioners.