196 



AN OCTOBER ABROAD. 



presto ! the trays of watches and diamonds vanish in 

 a twinkling, and you find yourself looking into the 

 door, or your delighted eyes suddenly bring up against 

 a brick wall, disenchanted so quickly that you almost 

 stagger. 



I went into a popular music and dancing hall one 

 night, and found myself in a perfect enchantment of 

 mirrors. Not an inch of wall was anywhere visible. 

 I was suddenly caught up into the seventh heaven of 

 looking-glasses, from which I came down with a shock 

 the moment I emerged into the street again. I ob- 

 served that this mirror contagion had broken out in 

 spots in London, and, in the narrow and crowded con- 

 dition of the shops there, even this illusory enlarge- 

 ment would be a relief. It might not improve the air, 

 or add to the available storage capacity of the estab- 

 lishment, but it would certainly give a wider range to 

 the eye. 



The American no sooner sets foot on the soil of 

 France than he perceives he has entered a nation of 

 drinkers as he has left a nation of eaters. Men do not 

 live by bread here, but by wine. Drink, drink, drink 

 everywhere — along all the boulevards, and streets, 

 and quays, and by-ways ; in the restaurants and under 

 awnings, and seated on the open sidewalk, social and 

 convivial wine-bibbing — not hastily and in large quan- 

 tities, but leisurely and reposingly, and with much con- 

 versation and enjoyment. 



Drink, drink, drink, and with equal frequency and 



