uds by the
bale,--usually an apotheosis of some king or queen, or both, and, as a
rule, of the most wicked known at that time. The Medici were especially
glorified and raised above the flesh,--and they had need to be. On every
side pictures in Gobelin tapestry, framed into the walls, often so large
as to cover the entire space from corner to corner, from cornice to
within a few feet of the floor, and in this latter space doors, formed
of a panel sometimes, for the entrance and egress of servants. Imagine,
with all this, the gilt, and stucco, and wood-carving; the flowers, and
arabesques, and entwined initials; the massive chandeliers, with
glittering pendants; the mantels of rare marbles, of porphyry, and
malachite; the cabinets, and tables, and escritoires of marqueterie and
mosaic; the gilded chairs, stiff and stark, richly covered; the bronzes,
vases, and curious clocks: and over all the air of having never been
used from all time, and of continuing to be a bare show to all
eternity,--and you have a faint conception of the _salons_ of half the
palaces.

As for the tapestry, pray don't confound it with the worsted dogs and
Rebekahs-at-the-Well with which we sometimes adorn (?) our homes, since
one would never in any way suggest the other. In these every delicate
line is faithfully reproduced, and the effect exactly that of an oil
painting. After long years the colors fade; and we were startled
sometimes, in the old palaces, to come upon one of these gray shadows
of pictures, out from which, perhaps, a pair of wonderful eyes alone
would seem to shine. In old times the rough walls of the grim prison
palaces were hung with tapestry wrought by the fair fingers of court
ladies, the designs of tournament and battle being rudely sketched by
gay gallants. Many a bright dream was worked into the canvas, I doubt
not, never found upon the pattern; many a sweet word said over the task
that beguiled the dull hours, and kept from mischief idle hands. But in
the reign of Louis XIV. the art of weaving tapestry was brought from
Flanders, and a manufactory established on the outskirts of Paris which
still remains. To visit it a pass is required. Accordingly we addressed
a note of solicitation to some high official, and in due time came a
permit for Madame K. and family; and an ill-assorted family we must have
appeared to the official at the gate. There were the rooms, hung with
specimens of the tapestry, for which we did not care, and