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 Palace of the Tuilleries.

Having seen these things you ought to go next to the Palace of the Tuilleries, which extends it self along the Garden in one continued Line; it is composed at the ends of two great square Pa∣vilions adorned with Pilasters of the Composite Order, and of one great Pavilion, like a Dome, in the middle, under which is the great Hall and Stair-case that leads to the Apartments. It is to be observed that the middle of this Building, namely the great Pavilion, the two Terrasses, and the two lesser Pavilions at the Ends, were built at the char∣ges of Katharine de Medicis, who was very skil∣ful in Architecture, as we perceive by these Buil∣dings, which are all of a most curious proportion after the Ionick and Corinthian Orders, there are three Ranks of Pillars, with an Attick over head. For this work she employed Philibert de Lorme and John Bulan, the prime Masters of their Age. The rest of the Buildings were performed by Henry IV. and Lewis XIV. who in our days hath repaired this Palace as we now see it. There stood once under the Pavilion in the middle, a great Stair-case, which was one of the finest things of its kind in the whole World, for its disposition, and for the strange boldness of the Work. Which Stair∣case was built after the designs of the foremen∣tioned Pilibert de Lorme, but of late, to the great regret of the Curious, it has been taken

down for the meliorating the Prospect of the Tu∣illeries to the Court, and for employing the Great Hall to the enlargement of the Kings Apartment. Which Apartment, as also that of the Queen, and that of Monseigneur the Dauphin are enrich'd with excellent Paintings of the ablest Masters of France. In a Gallery which reaches the whole length of the Kings Apartment on the Court-side, you may see several Cabinets enrich'd with Migna∣tures and Chissel-work extremely fine, with seve∣ral Tables of inlaid Stone-work very beautiful, among others one very large, upon which is the representation of a Salamander, which was the device of Francis I. and therefore this is suppo∣sed to have been his Table. Here are also some of Sicilian Marble of one Piece, of a wonderful variety of Colours. This Gallery hath often ser∣ved for the Reception and Audience of Ambassa∣dors, and at such times it hath been adorn'd with Rich Tapistry and other precious moveables.

In the Rooms below are preserved abundance of antient Statues, and the Bust of this King made by the Cavalier Bernin when he came from Rome to draw the Designs of the Louvre. One may see there also the Plans raised of all the strongest places of Europe, which have been drawn out with all care and exactness that is possible.

The other moity of the Building on that side next the Rüe St. Honorè contains the Chappel, which is not yet finished; and the Theater, other∣wise called la Salle des Machines: in which the Court was formerly entertain'd with Comedies, of which Psyche was the last, which after it had been Acted for many years▪ did still draw a world of admirers. But since the invention of Opera's came to us from Italy, serious Playes though

mingled with musick and Entries of Ballets have given place to Song and continued Musick on whatsoever Subject it be. This Theatre, with∣out contradiction, is the most magnifick of Eu∣rope, not excepting that of the Duke of Parma so much boasted of. One cannot desire any thing to be better contrived. Every Person may see and hear extreme conveniently. The Room be∣hind the Stage for the Machines is very large. As for the Decorations no Costs have been wanting, all the House is painted in Marble Colours. The Galleries are supported with Pillars whose Capi∣tals and Pedistals are gilded, as is also the Ceil∣ing which is curiously Carved.

The Prospect of all this Palace is into the Garden of the Tuilleries, to which Garden this Palace also serves as a most Magnifick Perspective, every one of its Allies being answered with a face of the Building of most beautiful Archite∣cture. This Garden is at present one of the most regular of Europe, though it be not as yet adorned with Statues, as in time it will be. There is in it an open Theatre; with all the necessary parts thereunto belonging, as the Ancients contrived them, and which we see in those of Rome: Trees are planted here which serve in the like manner with the Ordinary Deco∣rations in other Theatres. It is extreme great and may contain a great number of People. On the other side of the great Ally stands the Statue of Truth, raised upon a great Pedestal. It is the Work of a famous Sculptor called Ville Franche, who came from Cambray. Monsieur le Nostre continued the Works in the Tuilleries, and it is he also who manages those admirable Garden-Works at Versailles. You must by no means

neglect to see his Cabinet which is very well fur∣nished with Pictures, and Busts of Marble, most of which came out of Italy; among others one may easily observe a Picture of indifferent size, done by Dominicain, representing Adam and Eve in the Terrestrial Paradise, this is esteemed one of the finest Pieces in all Paris.

We ought to observe that the old Louvre is joyned to the Palace of the Tuilleries by the great Gallery which extends it self all along the River; at the end which was begun first there are several Paintings and other Ornaments of the design of Monsieur Poussin, but they being found too small for the Place where they stand, the Work ne∣ver proceeded further but remained imperfect as it is, the beginning of this Gallery is the work of Philibert de Lorme, and the rest of Mete∣zeau, he who undertook that great service at the Ditch of Rochelle, which was the chief occasion of the taking that Rebel Town. Upon this sub∣ject the following Epigram was made in his ho∣nour,

Haeretico palmam retulit Methezaeus ab hoste, Cum rupellanas aggere cinxit aquas. Dicitur Archimedes terram potuisse movere, Aequora qui potuit sistere, non minor est.

O're Rochell Metezeau Triumphant stood. Curbing with a a bold Dike the Rebel Flood. In Fame scarce Archimedes equal is, As he could move the Earth, this fix'd the Seas.

The Salle des Antiques, or repository of Anti∣quities, is under the end of this Gallery, it is in∣crusted with Marble, and full of Ancient Statues,

the best and scarcest that can be seen. The King has caused 'em all to be engraved by Melan. And there are two great Volumes of them extant in Folio, besides those other Pictures of which we have already spoken.

The Apartments under this Gallery are all in∣habited by divers famous Artists who are imploy'd in the Kings Service, and to whom he has assign'd these Lodgings.

The Royal Printing-house is also here, of which the Sieur Mabre-Cramoisy, is the Governor or Di∣rector: where you may see a small Room filled only with such Books as have been printed here.

Monsieur Silvestre a famous Graver, Monsieur Melan of whose hand the publick has several ex∣traordinary fine Gravings, M Coepel a Painter; M. Herard, M. Valdor, are lodged here. M. Cas∣siny hath also his Chamber here thô his ordinary dwelling is at the Observatory, so hath Monsieur the Abbot Siry so well known for those curious Italian Memoires which he hath published upon History, Madamoselle Stella in whose apartment are several curious Pictures of Poussin; Monsieur Bain, a famous Enamellor, who has found out the secret to make Enamel as bright and beauti∣ful as precious stones, and who hath now under his hands, for the King, a great Bason of Gold adorned with Mouldings on the Edges, this will be without all dispute a most exquisite piece when it is finished, as well for the Workmanship as for the materials, for it amounts to an hundred thou∣sand Franks, he makes commonly Enamell'd Watch-Cases, and divers things of that sort. Near him is M. Boul who makes a sort of Mosaick works extreamly neat, and which the Curious preserve ve∣ry

choicely; Messieurs Sanson, Sons of the fa∣mous Geographer have also Lodgings in this place; they are continually imployed, and from time to time publish some new thing in Geography.

The Kings Balaneier (or Mony-Stamp) is also kept in these parts. Here it is where they make those Curious Medals both Stamped and Cast, in Gold, Silver, and Copper. M. the Abbot Bizot, one of the most intelligent and able persons of all the Curious in Paris, had the direction formerly of these matters, after the famous Varin. One can∣not desire to see any thing more choice than his Cabinet, which is compleatly furnished with Pi∣ctures, Medals, ancient and modern, Agats, Fi∣gures in Brass, Porcelains, and a thousand other rarities of such sort.

The Petite Ecurie, or lesser Stable, takes up the rest of the Buildings, which is very long, and full of excellent Horses.