The next morning I was up at an early hour, and out on the Boulevards to see what might be seen.  As I was passing from the Bedford to the Place de La Concord, all at once, and as if by some magic power, I found myself in front of the most splendid edifice imaginable, situated at the end of the Rue Nationale.  Seeing a number of persons entering the church at that early hour, and recognising among them my friend the President of the Oberlin (Ohio) Institute, and wishing not to stray too far from my hotel before breakfast, I followed the crowd and entered the building.  The church itself consisted of a vast nave, interrupted by four pews on each side, fronted with lofty fluted Corinthian columns standing on pedestals, supporting colossal arches, bearing up cupolas, pierced with skylights and adorned with compartments gorgeously gilt; their corners supported with saints and apostles in alto relievo.  The walls of the church were lined with rich marble.  The different paintings and figures, gave the interior an imposing appearance.  On inquiry, I found that I was in the Church of the Madeleine.  It was near this spot that some of the most interesting scenes occurred during the Revolution of 1848, which dethroned Louis Philippe.  Behind the Madeleine is a small but well supplied market; and on an esplanade east of the edifice, a flower market is held on Tuesdays and Fridays.

* * * * *

The first session of the Peace Congress is over.

The Congress met this morning at 11 o’clock, in the Salle St. Cecile, Rue de la St. Lazare.  The Parisians have no “Exeter Hall:”  in fact, there is no private hall in the city of any size, save this, where such a meeting could be held.  This hall has been fitted up for the occasion.  The room is long, and at one end has a raised platform; and at the opposite end is a gallery, with seats raised one above another.  On one side of the hall was a balcony with sofas, which were evidently the “reserved seats.”

The hall was filled at an early hour with the delegates, their friends, and a good sprinkling of the French.  Occasionally, small groups of gentlemen would make their appearance on the platform, until it soon appeared that there was little room left for others; and yet the officers of the Convention had not come in.  The different countries were, many of them, represented here.  England, France, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, Spain, and the United States, had each their delegates.  The Assembly began to give signs of impatience, when very soon the train of officials made their appearance amid great applause.  Victor Hugo led the way, followed by M. Duguerry, cure of the Madeleine, Elihu Burritt, and a host of others of less note.  Victor Hugo took the chair as President of the Congress, supported by Vice-presidents from the several nations represented.  Mr. Richard, the Secretary, read a dry report of the names of societies, committees, &c., which was deemed the opening of the Convention.