206 ON THE GRAMPIAN HILLS. 



but if people will venture into the sea when the waves 

 are running mountains high and the tide is rapidly 

 receding, what other than a calamity such as that which 

 so recently occurred is to be expected ? Entering 

 into the gay and festive scene, I observed innumerable 

 stalls for the sale of cheap I may say very cheap- 

 jewellery, often exceedingly pretty in design ; gaudily- 

 painted vases, and china ornaments of every de- 

 scription, toys, bonbons, gingerbread, and pastry; 

 and, above all, a "Bazaar a vingt-cinq centimes' 9 

 where everything, from curling-irons to resplendent 

 articles of jewellery, may be purchased for that mode- 

 rate sum. Then, passing through the gate, the fun of 

 the fair commences, my attention being instantly 

 attracted to the caravan of a somnambulist, and I read 

 with much interest a placard announcing the fact that 

 "La critique est facile, Varl est difficile" with this 

 remark: "Si vous doublet, veuillez enlrer;" but, not 

 having the slightest doubt on the subject, I forbore 

 to enter the somewhat frowsy-looking salon, pre- 

 ferring to admire the external exhibition rather than 

 penetrate the hidden mysteries of the many shows 

 assembled at the spot for instance, the Menagerie 

 des Indes, from which issued stupendous roars as of 

 wild beasts in anger, but which I feel morally certain 

 were only the hoarse brayings of a deep -toned brazen 

 horn. 



Great as is the excitement of the inhabitants by 

 day, yet it is by night that the acme of enjoyment is 

 reached. Then the tinkling of bells, the deep tones 

 of the gong, the sharp crack of the rifle, the glare of 

 innumerable lights, and the hoarse tones of the show- 

 men proclaim that the real fun of the fair has com- 



