Carmelite Sisters, already mentioned, a portion of the building is still devoted to sacred purposes, the chapel is dedicated to St. Joseph, and of the Tuscan order, it was founded by Marie de Medicis.  Here first began the massacres in Paris of the 2nd of September, 1792, when a number of priests here imprisoned were murdered.  This is the convent which has long been famed for the Eau de Melisse and Blanc des Carmes, which are still sold here.

At the southern gate of the Garden of the Luxembourg is the Jardin botanique de l’Ecole de Medecine, where every medicinal plant agreeing with the climate is raised, and ticketed as classified by Jussieu.

The Odeon Theatre which is near the Luxembourg has been twice burnt down, but was finally restored in 1820; it is situated fronting the street, and in the place of the same name; it is certainly a very handsome building both as to the exterior and the interior, which is fitted up in a most superior style, but all exertions to render it successful seem in vain, although the present director has it rent free from the government; dramatic pieces in general are here represented, but its situation prevents its ever being much frequented; the principal front having a portico of eight doric columns ascended by nine steps has a fine effect; it is capable of containing 1,600 persons.

A very few steps bring us to the magnificent church of St. Sulpice.  Although the first stone was laid by Anne of Austria, in 1655, it was not totally finished until 1777.  The portico, by Servadoni, is splendid; the two towers not being similar, rather spoil the effect, but the interior baffles all description to do it justice; a simplicity and grandeur pervades the whole, which is heightened by a soft light thrown upon the Virgin directly behind the altar, who appears to be descending midst the lightest clouds upon the earth, to which she presents her son.  The corinthian order prevails throughout the interior, the statues are bold and finely conceived, some of the paintings are exquisite, that of the ceiling, particularly.  Two immense shells, placed within the entrance, for containing holy water, resting on rocks of marble, were presented to Francis I, by the Republic of Venice.  The pulpit is supported by two flights of steps, with the figures of Faith, Hope, and Charity, producing a most splendid appearance.  The organ is ornamented with no less than seventeen figures playing on musical instruments, or sustaining cornucopies carved in the most perfect manner.  The pillars on the different sides of this edifice comprise the four orders of doric, ionic, corinthian, and composite.  I cannot conceive a more sublime and delightful sensation than that which is caused when the first low notes of the organ begin to swell; the aisles being extremely lofty and vaulted, the sound appears gradually to peal through the building with a degree of softness which seems as if it came from a considerable distance, and has a most extraordinary and enchanting effect.  We will now quit this noble edifice by the grand front, and looking to the left cast an instant’s glance upon a large plain building, which is the Seminary of St. Sulpice, and has 210 students.