St. Généviève appears nearly in the same state, in which I saw it, eleven years since; that is to say, quite unfinished. Though the interior is still far from having attained that point of perfection, proposed in the original plan, yet it is even in its present situation, very beautiful. As to the exterior, it is strikingly magnificent. Twenty-two Corinthian pillars form the portico; eighteen of them are 54 feet high. There is a cupola above, where it was intended to have placed a figure of Fame, 28 feet high; but this plan has never been carried into execution. At the extremity of this cupola, there is a gallery raised 166 french feet from the surface of the ground, whence we enjoyed a most extensive view of Paris. This is the best point, from which the town can be seen: and, as there is not here, as in London, that kind of mist which arises from coal fires, the view was uninterrupted. I clearly distinguished from this spot, all the public buildings; and nearly every private house in Paris. It is, in short, a kind of real panorama. The ascent to the gallery is uncommonly easy, up a flight of stone steps, well lighted, and kept in such order, that I have not seen any stairs so clean, since I have been an inhabitant of this great city. The front, which has not suffered at all, during the revolution, has the following words written in large letters, over the principal porch. “AUX GRANDS HOMMES, LA PATRIE RECONNOISSANTE[54].” From the scaffoldings erected in different parts of the church, I was led to believe, that orders had been given for the immediate completion of the original plan. I therefore asked my conductor, when he supposed the whole would be concluded. He shrugged up his shoulders, and said, “il faut faire cette question au gouvernement. Vraisemblablement l’église sera achevée, quand le gouvernement aura tant d’argent qu’il ne saura pas en disposer autrement[55].” I am afraid this is putting it off “_sine die_.” The dome and ornaments of the stairs are both worked with a degree of nicety, elegance, and care, which would be commended on a snuff-box; and the whole building may be considered as a specimen of good taste and masterly execution.