A pleasant stroll., before or after visiting the Galleries, may be enjoyed
in the Jardin des Tuileries. The magnificent vista of the Place de la Con-
corde and the Champs-Elysees (see p. 69) is well seen from here. A walk
along the Quai du Louvre, whence the facades on the S. of the Louvre
can be seen, should also not be omitted. The central portion, the palace
built by Catherine de Médecis in 1556-76, is the finest, embodying as it
does all the charm of the early French Renaissance. The W. wing, too,
towards the Pavillon de Flore (p. 67), has preserved features dating from
Henri IV.'s time, in spite of the alterations which it underwent at the
hands of Napoleon III. The passage connecting the two blocks between
the Place du Carrousel and the Pont du Carrousel was constructed under
Napoleon HI. Flanking the entrance opposide the Pont des Saints-Pères
are colossal statues symbolising the Mercantile Marine and the Navy, by
Jouffroy: above, the Genius of the Arts, a bronze figure by Mercié, in high-
relief. The entrance on the opposite side, in the Rue de Rivoli, facing the
Rue de Rohan, is under the Pavillon de Rohan, the gilded façade of which is
adorned with eight statues of generals, including that of Marceau, by J. Thomas.

The small gardens on the outside of the Vieux Louvre are adorned with
monuments of artists. To the left, in front of the colonnade, is an eques-
trian statue of Velazquez (1599-1660). by Fremiet; farther to the left is the
monument of Fr. Boucher (1703-70), by Aubé, then that of Raffet (1804-60),
with the drummer from his 'Review of the Dead1, by Fremiet; and
beyond that is a fine monument to Meissonier (1815-91), by Mercié. —
Below the first window on this side, coming from the garden, is a hand-
some gilded balcony with the monogram of Louis and Anne of Austria.
Near it was the window whence Charles IX. is said to have fired on the
Huguenots on the Night of St. Bartholomew.

THE GALLERIES OF THE LOUVRE.

The Louvre Collections are open gratis to the public daily, except
Mondays, New Year's Day, Ascension Day, July 14th (Fete Nationale),
and, unless they happen to fall on a Sunday, Assumption (Aug 15th), All
Saints (Nov. 1st), and Christmas Day. The picture and sculpture galleries
are open in summer (April 1st-Sept. 30th) 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on week-days,
and 10-4 on Sun. and holidays: in winter daily 10-4; nearly all the other
collections, including the Rothschild Donation (p. 155), from 11 to 4 or 5.
The sole exception to this rule is the Gallery of Casts (Salle des Moulages,
p. 96), which is open only on Tues. and Sat. 1-4 or 5 p.m.

The best time for visiting the galleries is as early as possible in the
morning. as they are often crowded in the afternoon, particularly on Sun-
days. On dark and foggy days the museum is occasionally closed. —
Overcoats, sticks, and umbrellas may be left in the vestiaires at the
principal entrances (fee optional). Visitors should notice where their
belongings are placed. Ten minutes after closing-time all articles not
claimed are taken to the foot of the Escalier Henri II. (not the grand-
staircase). — Conveniences for the use of visitors are to be found off the
Galerie Mollien and RR. VII and IX of the picture-gallery (comp. Plans);
keys kept by the custodians.

Persons desiring to copy in the Louvre or Luxembourg apply to the
Administration des Mutées, the office of which is in the S.W. angle of the
court of the Vieux Louvre (Pl. M). The conditions and regulations are
posted up in the various galleries.

The director of the National Museums is M. Homolle, the well-known
archeeologist. Departmental keepers : MM. Héron de Villefosse (Greek and
Roman Antiquities), Pierret (Egyptian An'iquities), Lafenester (Paintings,
Drawings, and Engravings), Heuzey (Oriental Antiquities and Antique
Pottery), Michel (Mediaeval, Renaissance, and Modern Sculpture), and Migeon
(Objects of Art).

The history of the Louvre Collections dates from the time of the
French monarchs of the Renaissance of the 16th cent., who were not only