1 62 Travels in France 



2S. I lid. ; and with the table d'hote for supper would have been 

 but 97 sous or 4s. cjd. — In addition, much civility and good 

 attendance. It is at the Faisan. Why are the cheapest inns 

 in France the best? — The country to Pont-a-Mousson is all of 

 bold feature. — The river Moselle, which is considerable, runs in 

 the vale, and the hills on either side are high. Not far from 

 Metz there are the remains of an ancient aqueduct for conducting 

 the waters of a spring across the Moselle: there are many 

 arches left on this side, with the houses of poor people built 

 between them. At Pont-a-Mousson Monsieur Pichon, the sub- 

 delegue of the intendant, to whom I had letters, received me 

 politely, satisfied my inquiries, which he was well able to do 

 from his office, and conducted me to see whatever was worth 

 viewing in the town. It does not contain much; the ecole 

 militare, for the sons of the poor nobility, also the conve.nt de 

 Premonte, which has a very fine library, 107 feet long and 25 

 broad. I was introduced to the abbot as a person who had some 

 knowledge in agriculture. — 17 miles. 



\^th. I went to Nancy, with great expectation, having heard 

 it represented as the prettiest town in France. I think, on the 

 whole, it is not undeserving the character in point of building, 

 direction, and breadth of streets. — Bourdeaux is far more 

 magnificent; Bayonne and Nantes are more lively; but there 

 is more equality in Nancy; it is almost all good; and the public 

 buildings are numerous. The place royale and the adjoining 

 area are superb. Letters from Paris! all confusion! the 

 ministry removed; Monsieur Neckcr ordered to quit the 

 kingdom without noise. The effect on the people of Nancy was 

 considerable. — I was with Monsieur Willemet when his letters 

 arrived, and for some time his house was full of inquirers; all 

 agreed that it was fatal news, and that it would occasion great 

 commotions. What will be the result at Nancy ? The answer 

 was in effect the same from all I put this question to: We are a 

 provincial town, we must wait to see what is done at Paris ; but 

 everything is to be feared from the people, because bread is so dear, 

 they are half starved, and are consequently ready for commotion. — 

 This is the general feeling; they are as nearly concerned as 

 Paris; but they dare not stir; they dare not even have an 

 opinion of their own till they know what Paris thinks; so that if 

 a starving populace were not in question, no one would dream of 

 moving. This confirms what I have often heard remarked, 

 that the deficit would not have produced the revolution but in 

 concurrence with the price of bread. Does not this show the 



