quincunxes and rhomboids-labyrinths and parterres. But the alleys and the fish ponds were over-run with weeds and rushes-grass was growing upon the steps of the porch, so late the gay resort

of

pomp and pleasure; and we did not care to subject ourselves, as we had once done at Versailles to the refusal of the surly Republican that guarded the folding doors of the Chateau. One of its apartments, in days of yore, was nobly ornamented with branching antlers-the triumphs of the chase; and another was hung with portraits of the peerless Damsels at whose feet, in a romantic Age, they had been courteously laid. But alas! as Burke says, the days of Chival ry are gone forever.

On

On our return to the Inn the Argus of the road had discovered that the crane neck of our carriage was cracked across. -For a couple of crowns he made it exactly strong enough to hold together to the next town, where we arrived early in the day: but not before the Blacksmiths of the place were looking out for the custom which the Post Boys are sure to bring them, by driving helter-skelter over roads paved with stone.

They readily found a flaw in the new work; but I could not-or would not believe them, though they now spoke the truth; and we drove on till the slender clamps would hold together no longer. When I perceived that the carriage began to settle, it was with difficulty that I could arrest the gay career of the Garçon de

poste

poste, who would have left his charge in the road, as he galloped on like a Trooper-heedless of mishap. We were in sight of the post house when the accident happened, yet the modest Fellow demanded an allowance for lost time; and a diffident Beggar, observing our misfortune, embraced the favourable moment to tease us with complaints.

We sheltered our degraded heads in a paltry Cabaret, where we reconciled ourselves, as well as we could, to the unavoidable delay of giving the crane a complete repair. It was done before night, and, as if the very climax of imposition was to be suffered by us, for the information of succeeding Travellers, the greedy Cyclop demanded for his day's work no less than five Louis d'ors. Astonished at the

charge

charge I called in the Landlord-inquired for the Police-and ended with giving the Fellow half the money, rather than purchase justice at the expense of

ease.

With heavy hearts we set out again next morning, anticipating in perspective the pains and penalties of two hundred miles to come. But we were now agreeably disappointed: for during the remainder of the journey we met with no accident, worth mentioning, as we drove rapidly through Sens, Troyes, and Langres, across the delightful plains of Champagne, smiling with the clusters of approaching vintage.

The hills began to rise as we entered Alsace; and at Alten Kirchen we found

ourselves surrounded by an amphitheatre of mountains stretching from the slopes of Burgundy, across Switzerland, into Swabia; and terminating to the eye in the Black Forest, the impenetrable retreat of German Barbarians in the days of all-conquering Rome-as now the back-woods of America to the copper-coloured Race whom we, in our turn, call Savage Indians.

Just before we entered Switzerland a French Centinel inquired how much gold we had with us. On the reply, he demanded with an air of disappointment, whether the Citizen knew that if he were to search the carriage, and find more, it would be forfeited to the Republic. I told him I knew it, with an air that satisfied his doubts; and the vigilant Inquisitor permitted