in diameter, and from the system adopted in its formation, it is
considered by connaiseurs a _chef d'oeuvre_ in the art of building. It
is indeed altogether so curious, and so commodious a building for the
purpose for which it is designed, that the visiter must be highly
gratified in viewing it: there is besides another attraction, which is
on the southern side, one of the immense doric columns which once
composed the noble Hotel de Soissons; it was erected for the purposes of
astrology, and contains a winding staircase, and is ornamented with
emblematic symbols, of the widowhood of Catherine de Medicis, as broken
mirrors, C. and H. interlaced, etc. An ingenious sundial is placed on
its shaft, and a fountain in its pedestal.

By taking the Rue Sartine we shall arrive at the Rue Jean-Jacques
Rousseau, and there find the Hotel des Postes or General Post Office; it
was formerly an Hotel belonging to the Duke d'Epernon, and was
afterwards inhabited by different proprietors, until 1757, when it was
purchased by government, for its present purposes. It is an extensive
building but badly situated amongst narrow streets, many additions have
been made since it has become government property. Taking the Rue
Verdelet, the street which runs along the north side of the building,
and proceeding westward, we come to the Place des Victoires, which was
built in 1685; in the centre is a very fine equestrian statue of Louis
XIV, in bronze, which although weighing 16,000 lbs is entirely sustained
by the hinder legs and the tail. It is the work of Bosio, and was
modelled in 1822.

Proceeding to the south-west, by the Rue de la Petite-Vrilliere, the
Bank of France is before us. It was formerly the Hotel de Toulouse,
erected by Mansard, in 1720; for the Duke de la Vrilliere; it is well
situated, and adapted to its present use, but it has no striking
architectural beauty. The Rue Vide Gousset, to the north-west of the
Place des Victoires, leads to the Eglise des Petits-Peres, or de
Notre-Dame des Victoires, erected in 1656. It was called Petits-Peres,
or little fathers, on account of Henry IV, on two of the community of
small stature having been introduced into his antechamber, asking, "who
are those little fathers?" The convent which was attached, is now used
as barracks for infantry. The portal of the church was built in 1739,
and is composed of columns of the ionic and corinthian orders. The
interior has some handsomely decorated chapels