PLACE EOYALE. 



99 



are two oblong fountain basins with statues. Around the 

 whole runs a narrow flower border, backed by a few 

 shrubs. It is like all Parisian squares, full of people, both 

 during the day and till late in the evening. The square 

 occupies a space of about 5000 square yards, and cost 

 12,800/. 



Place Royale.— This out-of-the-way square is chiefly a 

 playground for the infants, and a lounging and chatting 

 place for the children and old men. There is an eques- 

 trian statue of Louis XIII. in the centre, and around it a 

 group of horse-chestnut trees. Underneath, and indeed 



Fia. 38. 



The Place Eoyale. 



nearly the whole square, is a gravelled surface, except a 

 slight belt of flowers which encircles the fountains that are 

 placed in each corner. Between the bed of flowers and the 

 fountain basin there is a belt of grass, a mere strip four feet 

 wide, and on this were planted at intervals single specimens 

 of the dark-leaved Canna. They of course backed up the 

 bedding-flowers, and came between the eye and the fountain 

 basin. This place was opened in the reign of Henry IV. 

 A couple of centuries ago it was the fashionable quarter of 

 Paris — now comparatively few but those who live in the 

 neighbourhood know of its existence. Eichelieu, Marion 



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