THE CATACOMBS OF PARIS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2086, 15 February 1894, Page 42

THE CATACOMBS OF PARIS.

The bones deposited in these subterranean vaults are arranged in an orderly and methodical style. There are no tombs in the catacombs, where the dead are absolutely on an equality. Here and there, however, the name of tomb has been fancifully given to some pillar or portion of a pillar which presented a monumental aspeot. Thus the tomb of Gilbert, the unhappy poet, is pointed out because on the wall of the supposed sepulchre some one has inscribed the wellknown opening lines of his most celebrated poem : Au banquet de la vie, inf ortune convive, J'apparus un jour et je meurs ; Je meurs, et sur la tombe ou lentement j'arrive Nul ne viendra verser dcs pleura J At other points the walls of the catacombs have, by some pecularity of construction or of natural form, suggested legendary ideas. One pillar is called that of the " Imitation " ; and elsewhere the pedestal of Saint; Laurent may be seen. Some 40 or 50 years ago the catacombs were the object of daily visits, and the sight was one which every visitor to Paris felt called upon to nee. Accidents, however, frequently took place ; and at present no one enters the catacombs except at certain periods of the year, when the engineers have to make a formal report as to their condition. The ventilation is effected by means of numerous holes communicating with the upper air. The catacombs may be entered from various points. At the period of the daily visits, which were too often accompanied by accidents, the descent was made from the south, near the Luxemburg Gardens. The names of visitors are called over before they go down, and again when they come np. The general aspeot of the place is not so solemn as might be imagined. It suggests rather a vast wine cellar, ia which the cases enclose bones instead of bottles. The relics of 4,000,000 persons now repose there. This subterranean city contains streets and passages like the city above, and each thoroughfare, numbered as though it consisted of houses, corresponds closely enough to the street, with its numbers, of the metropolis overhead. The object of this carefully - planned correspondence is to be able, in case of accident, to furnish assistance as soon as possible at the spot indicated. — From "Pariß, Old and New."