A IX- LA- CHAPEL LE. 



143 



rising far above the other buildings, bespeak its 

 former consequence and pride. But, if it were 

 mine, it soon should disappear ; for, there is 

 nothing left around it, to tell the best part of its 

 early story. 



The moat, to be sure, is still there ; but the 

 waters are filthy and stagnant; and in lieu of giant 

 oaks which once must have added grandeur to the 

 place, there now arises a miserable group of puny 

 and apparently neglected pine saplings; whilst 

 almost up to the very moat itself, long chimneys 

 crowd on chimneys ; sure harbingers of splendour, 

 misery, and rags. Tis said, that the wealthy 

 owner seldom allows the stranger a peep within 

 the tower; so, I did not solicit one, fearing a 

 refusal. The garden appeared neglected, and 

 replete with rank weeds. Probably it is not worth 

 attending to : for, if we may judge by the advances 

 which commerce has already made in the immediate 

 neighbourhood, the day cannot be far off, when 

 Flora and Pomona, hard pressed by Vulcan's 

 forges, will bid farewell for ever to the hunting 

 fortress of Charles the warrior king. Indeed, no 

 person of real taste, would regret to see this 

 grim hunting- tower laid low in dust. 'Tis an 

 anomaly on the ground which it now occupies. Trade 

 and steam already, and bustling projectors hover 



