AIX-LA-CHAPELLE. 



133 



confess, I have never yet been able to find out, why 

 a dung hill cock claps his wings before he crows ; 

 and why a cock-pheasant does the same thing, 

 after he has ceased to crow. 



But, this means nothing : let me now proceed. 



The medicinal virtues of these salubrious waters, 

 are almost beyond belief; and had I not the 

 testimony of those who have experienced their 

 efficacy, and whom I know, by personal acquaint- 

 ance, to repudiate anything in the form of exagger- 

 ation, I should scarcely venture to adduce my 

 own opinion. I admire the city, and enjoy its 

 atmosphere, which is impregnated with the sub- 

 terranean vapours. Add to this, the mild and 

 courteous manners of the people ; — a behaviour 

 which seems universal ; and which never fails to 

 put me in a good humour with myself. So what 

 with the inhabitants, and what with the city, and 

 what with its beautiful environs, I may say, that 

 I feel most contented ; and probably, I shall 

 continue to pay an annual visit to Aix-la-Chapelle, 

 "dum res, et setas, et Sororum, fila trium patiuntur 

 atra : " — in other words, whilst I have it in my 

 power to do so. 



I question, whether all Europe united, can pro- 

 duce a profusion of medicinal waters, so potent, so 

 agreeable, and so effective as those which this fine 



