Between nine and ten o'clock, I went to the _Pont de la Concorde_ to view the fireworks played off from the _Temple of Commerce_ on the river; but these were, as I understand, of a description far inferior to those exhibited at the last National Fête of the 14th of July, the anniversary of the taking of the Bastille. This inferiority is attributed to the precaution dictated, by the higher authorities, to the authors of the fireworks to limit their ingenuity; as, on the former occasion, some accidents occurred of a rather serious nature. The spectators, in general, appeared to me to be disappointed by the mediocrity of the present exhibition. I was compensated for the disappointment by the effect of the illumination of the quays, which, being faced with stone, form a lofty rampart on each embankment of the river. These were decorated with several tiers of lamps from the top of the parapet to the water's edge; the parapets and cornices of the bridges, together with the circumference of the arches, were likewise illuminated, as well as the gallery of the _Louvre_, and the stately buildings adjoining the quays. The palace of the Legislative Body, which faces the south end of the _Pont de la Concorde_, formed a striking object, being adorned, in a magnificent style, with variegated lamps and transparencies. No less splendid, and in some respects more so, from the extent that it presented, was the façade of the _ci-devant Garde-Meuble_, and the corresponding buildings, which form the north side of the _Place de la Concorde_, whither I now returned. The effect of the latter was beautiful, as you may judge from the description which I have already given you of this façade, in one of my preceding letters. Let it suffice then to say, that, from the base of the lower pillars to the upper cornice, it was covered with lamps so arranged as to exhibit, in the most brilliant manner, the style and richness of its architecture. The crowd, having now been attracted in various directions, became more penetrable; and, in regaining the platform on the _Place de la Concorde_, I had a full view of the turrets, battlements, &c. erected behind the three temples, in which the skilful machinist had so combined his plan, by introducing into it a sight of the famous horses brought from _Marly_, and now occupying the entrance of the _Champs Elysées_, that these beautiful marble representations of that noble animal seemed placed here on purpose to embellish his scenery.