186 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. [1839, 
I have a room like a large parlor, airy, the two 
windows looking into a pretty shady garden, a sofa, 
cushioned chairs, and every convenience you can think 
The town itself has nothing pleasant except its 
situation, but there are in it two delightful spots, which 
I sought at once, after having taken my dinner, — the 
Esplanade, very near me, an elevated plateau planted 
with trees, from which you have an extensive view of 
the country around. From this I had my first view 
of the Mediterranean, distant, I suppose, about eight 
miles! At the opposite side of the town is the Place 
du Peyrou, one of the finest squares in the world, on 
a fine elevation, descending by bold terraces into the 
country around, the green fields coming up on one 
side close to the parapet. The view is beautiful and 
very extensive, the Mediterranean on one side, the Pic 
San Loup and the mountains of Cevennes on the 
other, while toward the south, it is said, the Pyrenees 
may be seen in very clear weather. From this point 
I discovered the Botanic Garden, the oldest in Europe 
and in many respects still the finest. So I descended, 
sought out Delile the director, who it seems expected 
me, and expressed his delight in a most exaggerated 
and truly French manner. I stayed with him until 
nine o’clock; returned here, commenced this, but be- 
ing fatigued soon gave it up and went to bed. 
Monday morning, April 22. — Nearly all of the fore- 
going has been written this morning; but I cannot 
stay longer, as I should be stirring. There are many 
Protestants in Montpellier, it is said, but I fancy that 
they are chiefly not very pious, and as I should not 
understand the language well enough to be benefited, 
I thought it better to spend the Sabbath by myself. 
This was my first Sabbath on land in which I have not 
