File:Paris past and present (1902) (14590957048).jpg

Identifier: parispastpresent01hayn (find matches)
Title: Paris past & present
Year: 1902 (1900s)
Authors: Haynie, Henry
Subjects: Paris (France) -- Description and travel Paris (France) -- History
Publisher: New York : F. A. Stokes company
Contributing Library: University of California Libraries
Digitizing Sponsor: MSN

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Text Appearing Before Image:
Palais Royal cannot possibly be described in
this volume. The favourites of the Regent
and the noble ladies of the time succeeded in
surpassing all that imagination can suppose in
the way of sin and shame. Indeed the Palais
Roya was so deeply marked by the indecent
doings of the period that it has never been
able to get entirely ride of those souvenirs. It
was an era of late suppers, bacchanalian
revels, shameless orgies ; and as much gold was
necessary, it was the time when " Mississippi "
Law appeared on the scene. Philippe died
suddenly, and his son, when he had tired of
the palace, went to the Abbey of Sainte Gene-
vieve. In 17G3 flames destroyed the Opera House
which Richelieu had built, and this furnished
an excuse for the complete restoration of the
Palais Royal, the expenses thereof being paid
by the city of Paris. In 1780 the Duke of
Orleans gave the place to his son, Louis Phil-
ippe Joseph, and with him the orgies were re-
sumed. It was he who surrounded the garden

ENTRANCE TO HOTEL DE CLUNY

Text Appearing After Image:

THE COURT OF GALLANTRY. 115
with the buildings which now enclose it on
three sides, an act that caused great dissatis-
faction to owners of the neighbouring property,
public opinion expressing itself in sarcastic epi
-grams about Princes of Royal blood turning
palaces into shops and drinking places. It was
that Prince who erected a small theatre at one
corner of the place now known as the Théâtre
du Palais Royal.
By 1786 the spot had become the most fash-
ionable centre of Paris; the whole life of the
capital was to be found in and around it, and
gallantly and vice held high court within its
limits. There was a sort of underground cir-
cus in the centre of the garden which was so
constructed as to resemble a large green arbour
with a terrace at the top where a fountain was
continually casting up silvery waters. Besides
this circus there was a theatre, while down in
the cellars were dancing halls. This enterprise
did not have long existence, however, for in
the month of November, 1798, the building was
destroyed by fire. After that the large rotunda
of the circus was vaulted over, and in 1817
the circular fountain that is seen to-day was
constructed on the spot. The Palais Royal
garden is the scene where Camille Desmoulins

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