JET. 28.] TO THE MISSES TORREY. 163 



positively in August, and Joseph is to go. I wonder 

 if they will be two years or so in getting off ! ... 



TO THE MISSES TORREY. 



PARIS, April 1, 1839, Monday evening-. 



MY DEAR GIRLS, - - It is rather late, and I have no 

 fire in my room, to which I have just now returned, 

 but it is nearly comfortable without one, and so we 

 will have a few words together before I sleep. My 

 last and long sheet was closed, I think, on Friday 

 evening. On Saturday my morning was spent as 

 usual at the Jardin des Plantes ; returning from 

 whence I looked along the shops and so on to the 

 Pont du Louvre, which I crossed ; passed through the 

 Palais Royal at the most busy season, when it is all 

 lighted up splendidly, and dined at the Restaurant 

 Colbert at half past seven. I am patiently exploring 

 (I should say eating) my way through the mazes of 

 French cookery, and am trying to select from the 

 complicated bill of fare the more peculiar and national 

 dishes, some of which are excellent, others so-so, or 

 very poor. . . . 



To-day I have been again at the Garden, working 

 as hard as possible, since I have so little time remain- 

 ing. I dined at half past six at one of the famous 

 restaurants, just to see how it was managed, and re- 

 turning spent the early part of the evening with Mr. 

 Webb, who lives near me. 



On my way from the Garden, I stopped at another 

 church, I believe the only remaining one of large size 

 and much interest which I had not already seen. . . . 

 It is called St. Severin, and is very old, having been 

 built in the year 1210. 



This is the first of April, and a fine spring day it 



