"But pray, sir, in which of these do they excel us? where has court patronage brought out more talent than we can boast ?" asked Frederick.

"I cannot answer that question; but I may safely say it has rewarded more, encouraged more. However, as I am quite as little inclined to disparage any part of our noble constitution as you can be, I will grant at once that each country is properly provided with the means of becoming great, according to its own education, habits, disposition, and taste.

Mrs. Egerton now joined them, and they proceeded speedily home, as it had been agreed that they should go to the Theatre des Vaudevilles, with some of the young friends whom they had met on the preceding evening. It is unnecessary to say that they were exceedingly amused, and were all sensible of an improvement in their knowledge of the language from careful attention to the dialogue. Somewhat of the usual complaints of the dirtiness of the house, and the dearth of lights, were whispered; but it was allowed

that the drollery of certain comic actors never could be equalled, even in London; and that although handsome playhouses were very good things, excellent performances were still better.

CHAPTER VII.

THE following morning, under the care of M. Borghers, our young friends visited the Bourse, one of the most splendid buildings Paris can boast, and which, like our own Exchange, is quite modern. Afterwards they proceeded to the Royal Library. They found the Bourse standing in a place, or square, so that it may be viewed on every side; an advantage which many fine buildings in London are without. It measures two hundred and twelve feet, by one hundred and twenty-six; and is surrounded by columns, forty feet high, standing upon a base of ten feet. Of course there are many steps to ascend to the entrance, which,

though simple, exhibits a very striking air of solidity and grandeur. Being led forward by M. Borghers, they found themselves in a noble gallery, running completely round the building, from which they looked down upon the part that was literally the Exchange, and where several merchants were walking. The place is lighted by a glass dome. Below this, they saw, with surprise, the whole gallery enriched with what appeared to be most beautiful sculpture, such as would take more than an age to produce; but greatly was their wonder increased when they learned that the whole was done by painting in fresco. So just were the shadows, so sharp and perfect the lineaments, that they could scarcely believe it to be other than what they had at first concluded it; and the longer they looked, the more they were astonished and delighted. When satisfied with viewing this beautiful interior, they walked round the outside, where they saw much that pleased them exceedingly; and they united in hoping that the new Exchange in London might be equally beautiful; though they

lamented that it could never be seen to equal advantage.

Descending the grand flight of steps, which exactly resembled those of the Hall of Justice, which they had previously admired, the party proceeded to the Rue Richelieu, to view the Royal Library. Although informed by M. Borghers, that this ancient building was much more valuable for the treasures it contained, than for its grand exterior, yet they all felt much disappointed on entering the gloomy archway; and Emily could not forbear saying, that, although venerable in appearance, it was by no means magnificent, like other Parisian buildings. But the farther they proceeded, the more pleased they became; for they found that the building completely surrounded a garden, containing a statue of the king, who was its early benefactor; and the high trees cast an agreeable shade over the lofty rooms, through which they were passing, communicating that idea of silence and solitude which should always be connected with a place devoted to study. They found, indeed, all they had been taught

to expect; immense salons, filled with choice works, in each of which were seated a few gentlemen, evidently of different nations, but all absorbed in the subjects before them; whilst the attendants moved around the place so noiselessly, that not even Charles could venture to break the silence. When, however, they left the first floor for the second, all by turns asked many questions, which M. Borghers answered in the kindest manner; and then proceeded to point out objects most worthy their attention. He had already informed them that the library at first consisted of only ten volumes, collected by King John, whose son Charles, surnamed the Wise, added more than nine hundred. These treasures were then contained in a tower in the Louvre; but when the art of printing was discovered, books of every kind increased so rapidly, and the mind of man consequently derived such thirst for knowledge, that succeeding kings and ministers saw the necessity of erecting a library, commensurate with the treasures they had amassed, and the country which possessed them.