SIGHTS IN HAVRE. 283 



attentive maitre-d'hotel to the museum of stuffed 

 zoology, and picture-gallery. The birds in the former 

 are good, but the specimens of animals very indif- 

 ferent; and I can't say much for the collection of 

 pictures. On the whole, though, the building was 

 fine; and it is evident to me that Havre is a place 

 that is every hour growing into more and more im- 

 portance. From the museum we went to a shooting- 

 gallery on the pier, where I saw nothing to surprise 

 me. In my reminiscences of Havre I must not forget 

 a pretty and very nice Scotch girl who presided over 

 one of the best shops, whence I supplied myself with 

 linen and everything I needed; for in conversation 

 with her I wiled away several lagging hours. On 

 the Sunday the Consul called to know if I would go 

 to church ; and, in short, I cannot be too grateful for 

 all his kind attentions. 



Monday came at last, and at night, as I stood on 

 the deck of the new packet- ship, the '^ Havre," once 

 more alongside the thorough, straightforward, good 

 seaman who brought me from Southampton to France, 

 I looked on the lights of the town and the dim outline 

 of the cliffs, and thus addressed myself to the sons 

 of the nation to which I was then bidding adieu : — 



^^ Well, gentlemen, noblemen, and soldiers of 

 France, I don't understand the spirit of your laws. 



