246 fiNOLISH IfiSAI or rRANCE* 



we are certain that in England, though the first price is something the 

 highest, the actual cost in the end is the lowest. 



All these things are soon found out when a family have settled, and 

 the discovery is too late ; hut it is very different before-hand to make an 

 Englishman understand the whole bearing of the thing. A short trip 

 on the Continent teaches him the prices of certain articles, but without 

 reference to their quality. They are cheaper than in England, that 

 is sufficient , — ergo, I can live for less money, and have my wine for 

 dinner every day, — and spirits, dirt cheap ! But look at the prices of 

 house-rent, dress, fuel, sugar, and many other articles, and we find 

 the balance in favour of our own country. Families abroad will put 

 up with inconveniences they would never think of enduring for an 

 instant in their own country. Their servants will attend when it 

 suits themselves, not their employers ; perform their work according to 

 their own fashion, or not at all ; for they never fall into the ways of the 

 English — they think them absurd, and merely for the purpose of giving 

 them extra trouble and annoyance. 



In matters of dispute, where it has been necessary to apply to the 

 authorities, we have found the truth of the adage — " The weakest goes 

 to the wall ;" and, except in very flagrant cases, you must not expect to 

 be on an equal footing with your neighbours, provided they are of the 

 country. You may, indeed, expect a long harangue about, " Justice in 

 France knows no distinction of persons ; all are entitled to the protection 

 of its laws." But this ends pretty much with the remark of the celebrated 

 Abb6 de Mably, who says, " there is no nation, however corrupt, that 

 does not possess in its archives the best laws in the world — they require 

 only to be executed." 



The prevailing opinion respecting French " politesse" must soon 

 pass away, and be remembered only in connection with the France of 

 other days, for assuredly it exists not at the present. An Englishman 

 pursuing the even tenor of his way on the apology for foot-pavement in 

 Paris, and finding himself suddenly jostled into the road, looks naturally 

 enough, as of old, for the " milles excuses," but finding instead a scowl 

 of defiance, marvels much at our neighbours being called " most 

 polite !" Should he be tempted by some glittering display in a shop 

 window to wish to lighten his purse, and enters the shop with that 

 intention, he must not expect the ready alacrity of a London tradesman, 

 who seeks to anticipate his wants before he can express them. If the 

 man or woman, as the case may be, are enjoying a quiet gossip with a 

 friend, they will not hurry themselves for the expected customer ; but 

 when a convenient pause occurs, perhaps, request to know what he 

 desires, and then in r cold, unwilling manner point to half the articles 

 in the shop window, rather than remove the tray for inspection ; and 

 take care that any little trouble they may be occasioned is fully per- 

 ceived by the person who occasions it, and who, although he does not 

 expect the perfection of politeness from the " bourgeoise," looks for 

 rather different manners from " our more polite neighbours." 



Any person who has resided in Paris during and subsequent to the 

 time of Charles X. must at once perceive the great change that has 

 taken place in the manners of the French people ; a change so rapid, 

 that we are at a loss altogether to account for it. Even Mrs. Trollope, 



