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AIX-LA-CHAPELLE. 



the insurmountable barrier on his road to the 

 recovery of his health. But the hotel-masters of 

 Aix-la-Chapelle, are not responsible for this unlucky 

 breaking- down. They are expected by the public 

 to offer first-rate cheer ; and this they do, with 

 an unsparing hand. 



They are an attentive, and remarkably well- 

 conducted set of men ; and they appear to vie with 

 each other, who can make their guests feel most at 

 home. 



Those visiters who do not go into lodgings, have 

 generally their own favourite hotel ; and few there 

 are, I believe, who repent of the choice which they 

 have made. As I am always sauntering up and 

 down, when in watering places, to study men and 

 manners, I can observe contentment on their faces, 

 and hear their thanks to the host for his good 

 cheer, and for his obliging attention to them, during 

 their stay at the hotel. 



Formerly, for several years, my usual resort was 

 at the Dragon d'or, kept by the widow Van 

 Gulpen : — the sign corresponding with my turn for 

 natural history ; and the good lady's name, an 

 assurance, that her cheer was not administered by 

 driblets. 



Madame Van Gulpen was a kind and generous 

 landlady ; — she had always a smile on her counten- 



