A new description of Paris containing a particular account of all the churches, palaces, monasteries ... with all other remarkable matters in that great and famous city / translated out of French.

The Bridge of Notre-Dame.

THis is the oldest and the first that was built with Stone. It was finish'd as we now see it, in the Year 1507. A Cordelier, originally of Verona, undertook the work, at the Charges

of the Hôtel de Ville. Historians say his name was Joannes Jucundus, and that he was in great reputation for his wonderful knowledge in all sorts of Learning: They add also, That the famous Julius Scaliger was his Scholar. On one of the Arches you may read these Verses gra∣ved in the Stone:

JUCUNDUS GEMINOS POSUIT TIBI SE∣QUANA PONTES, HUNC TU JURE POTES DICERE PON∣TIFICEM.

Jucundus he re a double Bridge did frame, Him Pontifex Posterity may name.

This Bridge is loaden with Houses on both sides, but they are not so high built as those on the other Bridges. These Houses are beauti∣fied in the front, with great Termes * 1.1of Men and Women, supporting on their Heads Bas∣kets of Fruit; between every two are certain Medals▪ in which are represented all the Kings of France, with every one a Verse sutable to him. Time had much decay'd these things, but they were well repaired a∣gainst the late Queen made her Entry, she pas∣sing over here as she went to the Louvre. And of a long time it has been the Custom for the Queens to pass over this Bridge, when they make their first

Entrys into Paris, at which time these Buildings are adorned Magnificently. It is reported that when Isabel of Bavaria made hers, it was cover'd from one end to the other, with a kind of Pavillion of blue Taffaty, powder'd with Flowers-de-Lis of Gold, they say also that by means of a wonder∣ful and suprising Machin, an Angel flew down from one of the Towers of Nostre-Dame Church, and placed a Crown of Gold upon her Head. But though this Deed is recorded by an Historian of that time, it seems to me that one may reaso∣nably doubt the truth of it.

In the middle of this Bridge are erected two Machins, which draw up the River Water for the use of those Quarters of the Town which are far distant. The Gate belonging to this place is of the Ionick Order, set off with certain Orna∣ments which make no bad effect. The following Verses of Monsieur Santeüil's, whom we have so often mention'd, are ingraved upon black Mar∣ble in Letters of Gold:

SEQUANA CUM PRIMUM REGINAE ALLABITUR URBI, TARDAT PRAECIPITES AMBITIOSUS AQUAS. CAPTUS AMORE LOCI, CURSUM OBLI∣VISCITUR ANCEPS, QUO FLUAT, ET DULCES NECTIT IN URBE MORAS. HINC VARIOS IMPLENS FLUCTU SUBE∣UNTE CANALES. FONS FIERI GAUDET QUI MODO FLU∣MEN ERAT.

ANNO M. DC. LXXVI.

As Sein does to the Queen of Cities glide, Th' Ambitious River stops his hasty Tide. Enchanted with the place, forgets his way, And with the Beauteous Town, contrives his stay. Into her various Pipes he freely Flowes, And from a River now a Fountain grows.

M. DC. LXXVII.

One of these Machins raises 24. Pouces of Water, and this is the Invention of Monsieur Mance; the other which raises but half so much, was invented by M. Joli. On the same Arm of the River is

Notes

• * 1.1

  A Terme is a kind of Pila∣ster in the lower half, and to∣wards the top fashion'd like a Man or Woman without Armes.