140 



AIX-LA-CHAPELLE. 



On digging the foundation for Eliza's fountain, 

 the workmen came to a massive and irregular 

 stone, which is said to weigh seven or eight thou- 

 sand pounds. It is pronounced to be an aerolite. 

 But, when it fell to the earth, no historian has 

 as yet informed us ; nor has any philosopher under- 

 taken to decide the place of its former residence. 

 Some think that it was in the moon. If so, 

 possibly the old man who was sent thither from 

 Scotland, for having been wicked enough on the 

 Lord's day, to gather a few sticks to heat his oven, 

 may know something about it. Neglected, and 

 nearly covered with summer weeds, it may be seen 

 in a court yard at the regency. A few marks by 

 the chisel, shew, that either visitors from afar, 

 or philosophers at home, have been at work to 

 get a sight of its component parts. But its amaz- 

 ing hardness seems to have put their efforts at utter 

 defiance. 



Opposite to the regency, and nearly at the 

 bottom of a wide and comparatively new street, 

 is a spacious theatre with the nine muses well 

 ornamented in front. 



To make room for this costly edifice wherein 

 to exercise nocturnal orgies, a venerable and 

 useful convent was levelled to the ground. Whilst 

 it was in existence, midnight prayers were offered 



