THE CASKET: CONSISTING OF LITERARY, ENTERTAINING, AND INSTRUCTIVE TALES, ORIGINAL ESSAYS, Delineations of Character, Facetia, Poetry, THE GEMS OF MODERN LITERATURE, &c. &c. &c. VOL. I. WITH ENGRAVINGS. London: COWIE AND STRANGE, 60, PATERNOSTER ROW, AND 24, FETTER-LANE. 1828. HALLE AU BLE (CORN MARKET), PARIS. We present to our readers an engrav. ing of the interior of this edifice, with the sacks of corn and flour piled lower than usual, to give a better idea of the economy of the building. It is situate in the Rue de Viasmes, and was first constructed by M. Maizieres, in 1782, for the sale of wheat, &c. The light ness of its arches, the beauty of the ar chitecture, and its imposing appearance, were universally admired. Although 360 feet in circumference, it was resolved to cover it in; but after standing 22 years, it was destroyed by fire in 1802. The present hall is built of cast iron, and illuminated by a lanthorn dome. On the outside of this building is an astronomical column; at its foot a fountain and a large sun dial. It is worthy of observation to the curious in the corn-laws, that corn is sold in bulk, not by sample; and what enters the gates of Paris is not allowed to return. In the Boulevard Bourdon is the Greniers de Reserve, (Granaries) to store corn for the 'good city of Paris,' in case of that distress, the precursor of the French Revolution. It cost 12,000,000 francs, and can contain a supply of corn equal to six monthe consumption. |