1791. TRAVELLING MEMORANDUMS. 89 



eileemed the beft and moft valuable private collection 

 in France. — Though no connoifleur, I pafled fonie 

 hours in viewing them, and in hearing the worthy 

 owner's dcfcriptions of them, with inexpreffible plea- 

 fure. 



April 12. We (et out ior MonipelJer. Near St. 



Retny, on our route there, we faw tliofc celebrated ob- 

 je£ls of antiquity, which are fit only to be fecn and ad- 

 mired. — I think it is impoflible to convey any juft idea, 

 of them by defcription ; — at leafl: I never attempt fuch. 



defcriptions If made by fcientific men, they are dull 



or unintelligible ; and if by men of tafte, deficient. 



Moutpelier, April 14. We arrived here in the: 

 evening, and put up at the hotel of the Chevjl 

 Blatic. — There are two other hotels, none of them re- 

 putable ; which i* ftrange, as the refort here is very 

 confiderable. — This is reckoned the beft. — When I de- 

 fired to know what we could have for fupper privately, 

 the landlady told me there was not « morfel in the houfe 

 which was not ready to be fet down at the table de 

 I'bote to fupper. — For change, we were very well dif- 

 pofed to join this cafual and uncertain company. — I 

 was furprifed at the goodnefs of our fare ; we had va- 

 riety of the beft things for the feafon, well cooked, ancj 

 at one- third of the expence for a private entertainment. 

 -^The company was numerous, talkative, and merry, 

 without much drinking ; — all quite at their eafe, and 

 wearing their hats on. — We were not qualified for the 

 rapidity of a promifcuous French converfation, and re- 

 tired early, though we met with every mark of atten- 

 tion and politenefs. — Next day I hired a pleafant and 

 commodious private houfe, well furnifhed, in the Jar- 

 dins tie Fifty and adjoining to the walls of the town, at 

 two louis d'ors per week. 



In this town they reckon above twenty thoufand in- 

 habitants, and that a fixth part of them are proteftants. 

 — Their miniftcr, Monf. , has the general re- 

 putation of a learned, moderate, worthy man, and 



Vox.. Y. t M 



