Evening Republican, Volume 23, Number 179, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 July 1920 — CENTER OF MUCH HISTORY [ARTICLE]

CENTER OF MUCH HISTORY

Palace of Versailles Has Figured In Events Which Affected Whole Civilized World. The palace at Versailles ranks among the world’s historic centers where nations made history. There Great Britain first recognized the Independence of the United States. The French Revolution was given birth when the Third Estate formed a national assembly there. William I was crowned German emperor at Versailles while Paris was and representatives of the civilized world made peace at this eminent palace with the “Madman of Europe.” Versailles became historically great by mere chance. Having first served as a hunting chateau for Louis Xm, it attracted the next Louis, who planned his residence on so large a scale that the construction of an aqueduct engaged 30,000 men for many years. It later vibrated with the echoes of human dramas, Involving the disaster of Louis XTV and Marie Antoinette. The unhappy Valllere, the vainglorious Montespan, and the austere Maintenon successively loved, Infatuated and exploited Louis at Versailles. The brilliant Pompadour and the seductive du Barry shone among the mistresses at the palace, while some 10,000 drunken women fro ™ Paris broke through the gates and sent Louis fleeing to the Tuileries. The “Gallery of Mirrors” reflects a great many interesting scenes connected with the story of Versailles among them being one which shows Louis making pancakes for his mistress’ breakfast, the most arduous exercise of the man who proclaimed himself “the state.”