18 A TOUR KOtfND MY GARDEN. 



self ; it is on your right hand or your left ; it is on the rose- 

 bush at the end of the walk, or upon the periwinkle at your 

 feet;" or, "Step a little on one side; that which I am de- 

 scribing is in the moss you are treading upon: you may 

 destroy my proof" I have nothing then to do but to tell you 

 the truth ; whilst you, satisfied that it is a general belief that 

 travellers at least exaggerate, will not be restrained by a virtue 

 which will bring you no honour, but will simply cause you to 

 be accused of dryness and poverty of imagination. 



I saw your travelling costume, my dear friend ; I owe you 

 a description of mine : it is an old dressing gown of black 

 velvet, with which you are well acquainted ; a cap to match, 

 and a pair of yellow morocco slippers — I do not carry fire- 

 arms. 



I leave my study at a qiiarter before six : the sun is already 

 high above the horizon; his rays sparkle like fire-dust through 

 the leaves of the great service trees, and shining on my house 

 impart to it a rose and saffron-tinted hue. I go down three 

 steps. Here we are in China ! You stop me at my first word 

 with a smile of disdain. My hoiise is entirely covered by a 

 wistaria : the wistaria is a creeping, branching plant, with a 

 foliage somewhat resembling that of the acacia, and from 

 which hang numberless large bunches of flowers of a pale blue 

 colour, which exhale the sweetest odour. This magnificent 

 Dlant comes from China: perhaps you are admiring it there 

 whilst I contemplate it here. 



I do not believe I exaggerate, even with you, when I 

 declare that I think this a thousand times more beautiful 

 than the richest palaces— this house of wood, all green, all 

 blossoming, all perfumed, which every year increases in ver- 

 dure, blossoms, and sweet odours. 



Under the projecting roof is the nest of a wren, quite a 

 little bird, or rather a pinch of brown and grey feathers, like 

 those of a partridge ; it runs along old walls, and makes a nest 

 of moss and grass, in the shape of a bottle. I salute thee, 

 my little bird, thou wilt be my guest for this year! Thou art 

 welcome to my house and to my garden. Tend and bring up 

 thy numerous family. I promise thee peace and tranquillity ; 

 thy repose, but more particularly thy confidence, shall be 

 respected. There is moss yonder, near the fountain, and 



