Part 4

[Illustration: APARTMENT OF MME. DE MAINTENON, FONTAINEBLEAU PALACE, FRANCE.--Madame de Maintenon was the second wife of Louis XIV., although no written proof of such a marriage is extant; but, that it took place, is nevertheless certain. As a wife, she was wholly admirable; she had to entertain a man that would not be amused, and was obliged to submit to a terribly strict court etiquette of absolute obedience to the King's inclinations. This she always did cheerfully, and never complained of weariness or illness. Her apartments still appear as they did when occupied by her.]

[Illustration: NICE, FRANCE.--Superbly situated on the shores of the Mediterranean is the City of Nice. In winter it is the rendezvous of invalids and others from all parts of Europe, who seek refuge here from the bleak and vigorous atmosphere of the North. The season begins with the races early in January, and closes with a great regatta at the beginning of April; but visitors abound from October until May. In summer the place is deserted.]

[Illustration: MONACO.--This principality of Europe, French in language, but Italian in tradition, is located in the southern part of France, on the Mediterranean Sea. Its area is six square miles, and consists principally of the town of Monaco and its suburbs, which stand on a high promontory. Monaco has a fine palace, a new cathedral, a college, a noted casino, where gambling is licensed to pay with its profits the state expenses; it has also manufactories of spirits, fine pottery, bricks, perfumery, and objects of myth. The principality is now virtually under French control.]

[Illustration: MONTE CARLO, FRANCE.--This place is a health-resort in winter and a sea-bathing place in summer; but the chief attraction to many is the "tapis vert" at the Casino. Monte Carlo belongs politically to the diminutive principality of Monaco; the former, as seen in the picture, is picturesquely situated on a small level at the foot of a high range of mountains, skirting the Mediterranean. The building to the left with turrets is the Casino. The population of the place is almost entirely transient.]

[Illustration: GAMING HALL, MONTE CARLO, FRANCE.--Every portion of the interior of the Casino, of which the gaming-rooms are a part, is luxuriously fitted up. The ceilings are elaborately frescoed, while the walls and niches are adorned with works of art. Admission to the above room is obtained free upon presentation of a visiting card at the office. The games in progress from 11 A. M. until 11 P. M., are generally roulette, and patronized by men and women of all ages and from all countries. For the student of human nature, the gambling halls present an excellent opportunity to study mankind.]

[Illustration: MADRID, SPAIN.-General view. This city is finely situated on a wide plain of the Guadalquivir. It contains an abundance of wealth and power, and is famous for its oranges and women. The city is very old, its history dating back as far as 600. It is noted for being the birthplace of many distinguished Spaniards. Magellan, the famous navigator, sailed from here in 1519, to discover Magellan Strait. The winter season is very mild and pleasant, and there is not a day in the whole year in which the sun does not shine.]

[Illustration: SEVILLE, SPAIN.--On the left bank of the Guadalquiver, in a level country as productive as a garden, stands the city of Seville. It is highly picturesque in its combination of buildings and with a river navigable to its very limits; it is astir with life and commerce. From the earliest time, this city has been the chief outlet for the wealth of Spain. In the poorer portions of the town, the open places are converted into market-stands, as seen above. Across the river, spanned by a bridge, is a Gypsy quarter of Triana.]

[Illustration: BULL FIGHT, SEVILLE, SPAIN.--This photograph represents the great bull-ring of the city, with a capacity for eighteen thousand people and crowded with spectators to witness the great national amusement. A general holiday prevails on such occasions. Every one, rich and poor, possessing a grain of taste for bloody scenes and striking spectacles, can be found in the Amphitheatre on such occasions. The show generally lasts for several hours, during which several bulls, more horses, and not unfrequently, men are killed in the combat.]

[Illustration: TOLEDO, SPAIN.--This city is situated on a rocky height, forty-one miles south-west of Madrid; its climate is very cold in winter and hot in summer. The Cathedral of Toledo, the metropolitan church of Spain, founded in 587, is four hundred feet in length, and two hundred and four feet in width, with a lofty tower and spire. Toledo has long been famous for its manufactories of sword-blades, and great skill is still shown in tempering the m. It was taken by the Goths in 467, and by the Moors in 714; it was retained by the latter until 1085, when it was permanently annexed to the crown of Castile.]

[Illustration: GIBRALTAR, SPAIN.--This remarkable fortress, which is a strongly fortified rock at the southern extremity of Spain, and forms the key to the Mediterranean, is connected with the continent by a low sandy isthmus, one and one-half miles long, and three-fourths of a mile wide. The highest point of the rock is about one thousand four hundred feet above the sea level. Vast sums of money and immense labor have been spent in fortifying this stronghold. The water for the supply of the town and garrison is collected during the rainy season, the roofs of the houses gathering all the falling rain.]

[Illustration: LISBON, PORTUGAL.--This interesting city is situated on the Tagus, near the Atlantic Ocean. The length of the city is four miles, and its breadth about two miles. Lisbon is nobly situated for commerce, and has the finest harbor in the world. The earthquake of 1755, traces of which are still visible, destroyed a considerable portion of it, and killed about sixty thousand of its inhabitants. This photograph is a correct representation of the better portion of the city and harbor.]

[Illustration: KIRCHENFELD BRIDGE, BERNE, SWITZERLAND.--The above structure is a huge iron bridge, seven hundred and fifty-one feet long, built in 1882-1883, across the river Aare, from the town proper to Helvetia Platz, where a new quarter of the town is being built by an English company. In the foreground are the terrace-like hot-houses and gardens of the peasants, who earn their livelihood by supplying the inhabitants of Berne with vegetables from their little farms. From the top of the bridge, in clear weather, the Bernese Alps can be seen better than from any other point in the Oberland.]

[Illustration: CLOCK TOWER, BERNE, SWITZERLAND.]

[Illustration: PEASANT WOMAN, SWITZERLAND.--Here is a photograph of a Swiss girl on her way to church. She presents a true type of her sex, being well-developed, refined and accomplished. These peasants are fond of georgeous apparel, and on holidays and Sundays present a very pleasing spectacle. Their head-dress is particularly striking, consisting of a cap adorned with fine stiff lace, so arranged as to form a sort of fan at the back of the head. They all dress in similar costumes, which are both comfortable and attractive.]

[Illustration: INTERLAKEN AND THE JUNGFRAU, SWITZERLAND.--The low land between lakes Thun and Brienz, is called "Brodeli." These lakes once probably formed a single sheet of water, but were gradually separated by deposit carried from the mountain-sides. On this piece of land, "between the lakes," lies Interlaken. The town is a favorite summer resort and is noted for its mild and equal temperature. The above picture gives a general idea of the place, with the Jungfrau nine miles in the distance.]

[Illustration: GRINDELWALD, SWITZERLAND.--Grindelwald is a large village of widely-scattered houses, in the heart of the Alps and near the snow-fields. It is an excellent starting-point for mountain excursions, and also a favorite summer resort, the situation being sheltered and healthful. The place owes its reputation chiefly to its glaciers close by. Three gigantic mountains bound the valley. In years when ice is scarce, these glaciers serve as ice-quarries.]

[Illustration: A THOUSAND FOOT CHASM, GRINDELWALD, SWITZERLAND.--The above picture represents a chasm over a thousand feet in depth, with an almost perpendicular wall of rock rising on both sides. It has been cut down to its present level by the waters of the melting snows and ice on the mountain above, and strongly impresses the beholder with the power of the wheel of time. The stream in the foreground is only one of the many that rise into the dashing torrents within a hundred yards from their source in the Alpine country.]

[Illustration: BRUNIG PASS, SWITZERLAND.--There is, perhaps, no other country in the world that can boast of such expensive and magnificent public roads as Switzerland. This picture represents the over-hanging rock of the Brunig Pass, on the way from Lucerne to Interlaken. High up, along the mountain-side, the road winds its way, affording to the beholder a magnificent panorama of the distant snow-fields above, and the green valleys and placid lakes below.]

[Illustration: LUCERNE, SWITZERLAND.--The above is the capital of the canton of Lucerne, and one of the three seats of the Swiss Diet on the Rense, located twenty-five miles from Zurich by rail. It is highly picturesque, enclosed by a wall and watch-towers. The principal edifices are a cathedral and other fine churches, several convents, a town hall, an arsenal with ancient armor, two hospitals, an orphan asylum, jail, theatre, and covered bridges adorned with ancient paintings. It is a very attractive summer resort, the above picture showing its principal promenade.]

[Illustration: RIGI, SWITZERLAND.--The Rigi is a group of mountains about twenty-five miles in circumference, lying between lakes Lucerne, Zug and Lowerz. The north side is precipitous, but the south side consists of broad terraces and gentle slopes, covered with fresh, green pastures, which support upwards of four thousand head of cattle; it is planted toward the base with fig, chestnut and almond trees. The photograph represents the Rigi inclined railway.]

[Illustration: RIGI-KULM, SWITZERLAND.--The summit of the Rigi, owing to its isolated position, commands an extensive view, three hundred miles in circumference, that is unsurpassed for beauty in Switzerland. In 1816 a very modest hotel was erected on the Kulm by private subscriptions, and in 1848 it was superseded by the oldest of the three houses on the Kulm. Since then the number of inns has been steadily increasing, and the Rigi is now one of the most popular Swiss resorts, and is visited by thousands of tourists yearly.]

[Illustration: PILATUS, SWITZERLAND.--This lofty mountain rises boldly in a rugged and imposing mass, almost isolated from the surrounding heights. Pilatus was formerly one of the best known Swiss mountains, but in later years it was supplanted by the Rigi. An inclined railway extends from the base to the summit, and is said to be one of the boldest undertakings of its kind ever carried through. Many legends are connected with Pilatus. One of the oldest is, that when Pontius Pilate was banished from Galilee he fled hither, and, in the bitterness of his remorse, drowned himself in the lake.]

[Illustration: SIMPLON'S PASS, SWITZERLAND.--This is the first Alpine route after Brenner, constructed by order of Napoleon I. A good walker may easily outstrip the "diligence" in ascending from either side, especially if he takes short cuts. At the highest point of the Simplon is a large building, with a lofty flight of stairs, founded by Napoleon, for the reception of travelers, and subject to the same rules as that of the Great St. Bernard. This famous mountain-road is seen in the foreground passing through the town of Simplon, a little village in the very heart of the Alps.]

[Illustration: ZERMATT AND THE MATTERHORN, SWITZERLAND.--The former lies in a green valley, with pine-clad slopes, while to the left rises the huge rock-pyramid of the Matterhorn. In no other locality is the traveler so completely admitted into the heart of the Alpine world as here. The Matterhorn was ascended for the first time on the 14th of July, 1865, but the ascent is now frequently made. The rock has been blasted at the most difficult points, and a rope attached to it, so that the most formidable difficulties have been removed; but even now the ascent is seldom made by any but proficient climbers.]

[Illustration: CHAMOUNIX AND MONT BLANC.--This Alpine valley is much frequented in summer, owing to its immediate proximity to Mont Blanc. It is inferior in picturesqueness to some other portions of Switzerland, but superior in grandeur of its glaciers, in which respect it has no rival but Zermatt. The picture shows the little village of Chamounix, with its few hotels and peasant homes in the valley below, and the perpetual ice and snow in the background, seemingly but a few minutes' walk away, yet requiring a good two hours' journey on mule-back. Apparent Alpine distances are very deceptive.]

[Illustration: ENGLEBERG, SWITZERLAND.--Engleberg is loftily and prettily situated in the great mountain region of the Alps, with a population of about two thousand inhabitants. The church which appears nearest the mountain, is quite ancient, but contains famous modern pictures. The snow-covered mountains, five miles in the distance, change the climate in summer, so that the tourist can wear an overcoat with comfort. The winters are very severe, and on account of the deep snows, the inhabitants are sometimes compelled to remain indoors for eight weeks. The houses and barns are generally under one roof.]

[Illustration: ST. GOTTHARD RAILWAY, SWITZERLAND.--The railway here passes through beautiful landscapes, richly wooded with walnut and chestnut trees, on the left bank of the Ticino. Numerous Campaniles in the Italian style, crowning the hills, have a very picturesque effect. The peaks above are covered with snow. From the cliffs on every side, fall cascades. Huge masses of rock lie scattered about. Three tunnels of the railway are seen in the picture, the latter making a descent of three hundred feet by means of two loop-tunnels, one below the other, in cork-screw fashion.]

[Illustration: AXENSTRASSE, SWITZERLAND.--This famous road extends nine miles along the Lake of Uri, from Brunnen to Fluelen, and is noted for the remarkable boldness displayed in its construction. It is to a great extent hewn out of solid rock, cut like a shelf into the side of the mountain, with occasional pillars to hold the thousands of tons of rock above, and a strong balustrade to guard travelers from tumbling over the abrupt precipice into the lake many feet below. It is the great highway leading from Switzerland to Italy, and is regarded as one of the most picturesque roads in the world.]

[Illustration: PANORAMA OF VIENNA, AUSTRIA--The capital of the Empire of Austria and residence of the Emperor, is situated in a plain surrounded by distant mountains, the Danube Canal flowing through a portion of the city. It was originally a Celtic settlement, dating back to 14 A. D. The streets of the present city are narrow, generally well-paved and enclosed by very lofty houses. A great number of old passages through the courts of houses, by means of which pedestrians may often make a short cut, are still seen. In the last quarter of a century, Vienna has acquired an importance as a seat of art.]

[Illustration: HOTEL METROPOLE, VIENNA, AUSTRIA.--On a branch of the Danube, flowing through the heart of the City of Vienna, stands the Hotel Metropole, an enormous building, admirably adapted for travelers. The picture shows a prominent feature in the street architecture of Vienna; and the Metropole is only one of the many private and public buildings of colossal dimensions which have sprung up within the last few years. The interiors of all these structures are generally decorated throughout with painting and sculpture, which shows the perfection attained by the Vienese in the fine arts.]

[Illustration: CHURCH OF ST. STEPHEN, VIENNA, AUSTRIA.--This is the most important edifice in the Austrian capital, dating back in its construction to the thirteenth century. It is constructed of solid limestone, and built in the form of a Latin cross. Below the church are extensive catacombs, consisting of three vaults, filled with bones and skulls. Centuries ago, the sovereigns of Austria were buried in these vaults. The Tower, built between 1860 and 1864, affords an extensive view, embracing the river Danube and the battle-fields of Loban, Wagram and Essling.]

[Illustration: THESEUS (BY CANOYA), VOLKSGARTEN, VIENNA, AUSTRIA.--In the centre of this pleasure ground stands the Temple of Theseus, containing Canova's fine marble group of the victory of Theseus over Centaur, originally destined by Napoleon I. for Milan. The figures are of heroic size. The victorious Theseus is represented as seated on the lifeless body of the monster, and the exhaustion that visibly pervades his whole frame, proves the terrible nature of the conflict in which he has been engaged.]

[Illustration: SCHONBRUNN, AUSTRIA.--This sumptuous edifice, the summer palace of the Austrian Emperor, was completed by Maria Theresa in 1775. The building has a most imposing appearance. The gardens in the rear are open to the public. To the left of the principal avenue are the Roman ruins, the Obelisk and the "Schoene Brunnen" (beautiful fountain), from which the palace derives its name. Statues, vases and other objects of taste of the period are scattered about the ground. Extensive parks are attached to the palace.]

[Illustration: GALATA BRIDGE, CONSTANTINOPLE, TURKEY.--Along the north shore of the Golden Horn spreads the quarter known as Galata, rising up to the crest of the hill, and including the massive tower that crowns it. Beyond and above Galata, Pera stretches forward along the ridge that runs parallel with the shore. These places are connected with Constantinople by two bridges crossing the Golden Horn. One of these bridges is represented in the above picture. Unlike those of most other countries, people do not keep on the sidewalks, but wander along in any portion of the street. The scene on the Bridge of Galata affords an interesting subject for study.]

[Illustration: MOSQUE OF ST. SOPHIA, CONSTANTINOPLE, TURKEY.--This is the finest and most important ecclesiastical building of the city. The first stone of the building was laid in 532. No fewer than ten thousand workmen are said to have been engaged under the direction of one hundred master builders, and when the work was completed, it had cost the imperial treasury $5,000,000. The dome rises to the height of one hundred and eighty feet, and is one hundred and seven feet in diameter. To render it as light as possible, it was constructed of pumice stone and Rhodian bricks. Not long after its completion, the dome was shaken by an earthquake, but was immediately restored.]

[Illustration: INTERIOR OF THE MOSQUE OF ST. SOPHIA, CONSTANTINOPLE, TURKEY.--The whole interior of this noted structure is lined with costly marble. To add to its splendor, the temples of the ancient gods at Heliopolis and Ephesus, at Delos and Baalbec, at Athens and Cyzicus, were plundered of their columns. To secure the building from ravages of fire, no wood was employed in its construction except for the doors. The visitor cannot fail to be impressed by the bold span of the arches and the still bolder sweep of the dome, while his eye is at once bewildered and charmed by the rich, if not altogether harmonious, variety of decorations, from the many colored pillars down to the mosaics and inscriptions on the walls.]

[Illustration: STREET SCENE, CONSTANTINOPLE, TURKEY.--The American traveler upon entering this city is almost bewildered at the many novelties that confront him before he reaches his hotel. Nothing strikes him more forcibly than the awful silence that pervades so large a place. The only sound heard is an occasional cry of some vender, with a large wooden tray on his head, selling sweetmeats, sherbet, fruit or bread. Dogs at intervals disturb the pedestrian. Hundreds of them lie in the middle of the street, and only move when aroused by blows. At ten o'clock at night, the city is as silent as death.]

[Illustration: MOSQUE OF SULTAN AHMED, CONSTANTINOPLE, TURKEY.--Of all the mosques in the Ottoman Empire, this is the principal one. It is not as richly decorated as St. Sophia, but it is the only one that possesses six minarets. It is located on a square called the Hippodrome, named after the spot that was in former years used for circus purposes. The exterior view gives it a magnificent appearance. The place is one of the chief objects of interest in the city. The crumbling monument in the foreground is a relic of antiquity.]

[Illustration: TURKISH LADY, CONSTANTINOPLE, TURKEY.]

[Illustration: STREET MERCHANTS, CONSTANTINOPLE, TURKEY.]

[Illustration: SULTAN'S HAREM, CONSTANTINOPLE, TURKEY.--This photograph represents an odalisque, one of the beautiful inmates of the harem of the Sultan of Turkey. The photographer who took this picture found her most courteous and obliging, and able to converse fluently in English, French and German. Abdul Mezed, who ruled Turkey during the Crimean War, had 1200 wives and odalisques in his harem. When a Turkish Sultan wishes to show especial honor to a subject, he makes him a present of one of the cast-off wives. To refuse the gift would be to invite death. The harem is continually recruited by the gifts of those who wish to carry favor with the Sultan, and these comprise slaves of every nationality.]

[Illustration: ACROPOLIS, ATHENS.--The natural centre of all the settlements in the Attic plain within the historical period was the Acropolis, a rocky plateau of crystalline limestone, rising precipitously to a height of two hundred feet. The semi-mythical Pelasgi, of whom but a few isolated traces have been found in Attica, are said to have leveled the top, increased the natural steepness of the rock on three sides, and fortified the only accessible part by nine gates. It was the earliest seat of the Athenian kings, who here sat in judgment and assembled their councils, as well as of the chief sanctuaries of the State.]

[Illustration: PARTHENON, ATHENS, GREECE.--This structure is the most perfect monument of ancient art, and even in ruins presents an imposing and soul-stirring appearance, occupying the culminating point of the Acropolis. It was erected by Pericles and opened for public worship in 433 B.C. The crowning glory of the Parthenon was its magnificent sculpture, ascribed to Phidias, registering the highest level ever attained in plastic art. The Parthenon was used as a Christian Church in the fifth century. In 1460 it became the Turkish Mosque, and in 1670 the stately edifice was blown into ruins.]

[Illustration: GRAND CATHEDRAL AND SQUARE, MILAN, ITALY.--This is the focus of the commercial and public life of the city, and is now enclosed by imposing edifices on every side. The celebrated Cathedral, the eighth wonder of the world, is next to St. Peter's in Rome, the largest church in Europe. It covers an area of fourteen thousand square yards, and holds about forty thousand people. The building is in cruciform shape, with double aisles and transept. The interior is supported by fifty-two pillars, each twelve feet in diameter. The floor consists of mosaic, in marble of different colors.]

[Illustration: CORSO VENEZIA, MILAN, ITALY.--The principal shopping street of the city, and the favorite promenade of the Milanese is here represented. The buildings have a modern aspect, with little balconies at almost every window, which are often adorned with plants, flowers and creeping vines. The street, which is well paved, is wide, extending almost from house to house. The pavements are very narrow, consisting of only four smooth slabs of stone, laid side by side. The shop-windows are decorated in the most tempting style with the wares of the various merchants. The picture was secured in the early morning, giving the street a deserted look, which at all other times is crowded with people.]