The gates of
Versailles opened to the Duke of Wellington in 1818.
Other visitors there were that came to Versailles and, by the good will
of Louis XVIII, lodged there--homeless dependents, who dried their
laundry at the stately windows of the palace and installed goats and
cows on the roofs overlooking the inert bronze fountains.
After the reign of Charles X all the occupants at the chateau left,
following the Revolution of July, 1830. Once more the question arose
as to the disposition of the palace. Empty, abandoned, "What shall we
do with it?" cried the ministers. The answer was found in the project
proposed to Louis Philippe that Versailles should become a national
depository for souvenirs of French history, surrounded by the splendors
of Louis the Great. This suggestion had the king's approval and
cooperation. A confusion of offices, rooms, staircases and passages
was simplified in the two wings, and the main body of the chateau and
long galleries were created for the reception of thousands of battle
pictures, portraits and pieces of sculpture, reflecting events and
personalities concerned with the story of France.
The Queen's bed-chamber, the apartments of Madame de Maintenon and of
the daughters of Louis XV and Madame de Pompadour were among those that
were altered. In the entrance court of the chateau were placed a group
of statues from the Paris bridge _de la Concorde_, all of them so
massive that they were out of proportion to the low surrounding walls.
Pages:
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131
132
133
134
135
136
137
138
139
140
141