194 HORTICULTURAL TOUR. 



means of their droppings. In a small orchard, as we ap- 

 proached Rouen, we remarked several old fruit-trees which 

 had recently undergone the process of dechcnillancc ; that is, 

 the paring oft* of the rough part of the outer bark, where in- 

 sects are apt to lodge. We occasionally had a view of the 

 banks of the Seine, which were every where beautiful, the 

 day being fine, and the trees assuming their autumnal 

 tints. The people in general had more of the appearance 

 of poverty than we expected to have found among the 

 Normans. 



At llouen we put up at the Hotel de TEurope, in the 

 Place dc Neuf-marche, formerly Hotel Vatel, and now 

 kept by M. llenaud. 



Rouen. 



Oct. 1. — We could afford to dedicate only one day to 

 this ancient capital of Normandy, and the weather again 

 proved unpropitious. However, in a cold rainy morning, 

 we visited the former Parliament House ; the noble Ca- 

 thedral, with its tombs and inscriptions recalling the memory 

 of English sway in this country ; and the Church of St 

 Ouen, a piece of the richest gothic architecture. We like- 

 wise went to Rue de la Pie, to see the house in which Cor- 

 neille was born. Over the door is inscribed, " Ici ne le 

 6 Juin 1606 Pierre Corneille." The foundations only of 

 the original house now remain : the superstructure is at 

 present occupied by a fireman. 



Botanic Garden. 



The day having cleared up a little, we were able to 

 make an excursion to the botanic garden, on the banks of 

 the Seine, opposite to the ccole dc natation. It is of very 

 limited extent ; but the number of plants is considerable. 



