and the Pyrenees, in 1825. 67 



translators of EbeFs Guide through Switzerland *) of laying in 

 a store of provisions, of benefit, not to the traveller, but to the 

 steward. At Calais our passports are taken from us, and a pro- 

 visionary one given as far as Paris. This, if not attended with 

 inconvenience, is at least attended with a small expence ; and I 

 have never been able to find out any good reason for it. If a 

 person goes any where else than to Paris, he is allowed to retain 

 the passport he received in London, and is charged nothing ; 

 so that one going first to any town in the north of France, 

 there gets a visa for Paris, and the passport is not changed. 



I arrived in Paris on the evening of the 12th February, ha- 

 ving been inclosed thirty-six hours in the Exploitation generate 

 des Messageries Roy ales, " the general blowing-up of the royal 

 post-houses,'' — a species of vehicle which, though much impro- 

 ved since my short residence in France in 1821, may still be 

 rendered much more comfortable. This is throughout denomi- 

 nated a " Diligence,*" but ought to receive rather the appella- 

 tion of " Paresseux^"" or the Sloth ; but I ought not to com- 

 plain. The distance is 32^ posts, or 162^ Enghsh miles ; so 

 that we had travelled at the enormous rate of 4^ miles an hour. 

 But is it possible to make the French " Paresseux''"' comfortable ? 

 I fear not. This English term has no corresponding one in the 

 French language. The French emigres, as I am informed, 

 had acquired, by their long residence in England, some indis- 

 tinct ideas of English comfort, and actually went so far, after 

 .their return home, as to use the English word with a French 

 twang. This, however, was never countenanced by the French 

 Academy, none of the members having the least conception of 

 what was meant ; and I now believe the word is dropt for ever. 

 I have often been asked for an explanation of comfort, but I 

 have always found, that the present nature and habits of the 

 people rendered it impossible for them to enter into my feel- 

 ings. 



Of a month's residence in Paris, and of my motives for being 

 there, I need not trouble you with any notice. It was the sea- 

 son of the Carnival — all was gaiety. On Tuesday, 15th Fe- 



• " The passage is seldom more than twelve hours, and sometimes less 

 than three ; only a small stock of provisions is therefore necessary." 



e2 



