1824-33 
ARRIVAL IN PARIS 
53 
perity — few people to be seen on the road, still 
fewer houses, and these but poor mud cottages ; 
private travelling, no carriages, but now and 
'^hen a solitary estafette. What an outrd thing 
IS a diligence ! Two coaches and a chariot joined 
symphysis or harmonia, sometimes five, some- 
times six or seven horses, ropes every now and 
then breaking ; the postillion always picturesque. 
^Nevertheless, I never slept more comfortably in 
9 - coach than in the co^^pd ; and while travelling 
‘ti a strange country should always prefer making 
ti 3 y observations at a rate not quicker than five or 
Six miles an hour. 
‘ It was nearly eight when we reached Paris 
tm Friday night (29th). We met numerous groups 
the Garde Nationale Rurale returning from 
the grand review. On alighting we were told of 
the illumination and fireworks about to take place. 
So I determined to stay that night at the Hotel 
des Messag eries, and, after having got my luggage 
into my apartment and some refreshment into 
ftyself, I posted off to the Place Louis XV., which 
^ Was told would be the best place for seeing 
them. Imagine me following my nose and such 
directions as I could comprehend, hustled about 
'0 the crowd, every minute in danger of being 
run over, and then on a sudden turn finding 
t*^yself in the most beautiful place in the world, 
^iriong noble walks, statues, flowers, fountains, 
glassy pools — in short, in the garden of the 
