wildered by the screaming of innumerable mackaws and parrots, exhibited for sale in numerous shops. Choosing the very nearest hotel, they were soon seated in a pleasant room, overlooking the shipping; a plentiful breakfast was set before them, and, having their business yet to transact at the Custom House, they were induced to stay all night, especially as Mrs. Egerton was evidently suffering from the fatigue of the voyage.

At nine the next morning, they all set out in the diligence, to the great satisfaction of Charles, who declared it was the funniest wagon that ever was seen, and must have been originally intended to convey different kinds of animals to fairs. "The wild beasts," said he, "would be shut up in this close part;-pretty and gentle creatures could go in the front, and the monkey tribe be sent aloft."

"Very true; so mount yourself, master chatterbox," said his father.

Whatever might be the clumsy appearance of the vehicle, all the party were delighted with its convenience and comfort; and not

less pleased were they with the six roughlooking, but spirited grey horses which drew it; and which, they soon observed, were perfectly docile. Every one answered to his name as the driver called on them for exertion, and although with many words and violent gesticulations he flourished his long whip over their heads, not one of them was ever struck by it. Indeed their labour must be considered as voluntary, for the ropes with which they were harnessed could not be said to confine the leaders, who evidently pulled in the pride of their nature, and seemed to fly towards the hills, as if they were going to subdue them. The ladies below were also nearly as pleased as the boys above, with these noble, untrimmed, but efficient animals.

They soon found themselves on the banks of the Seine, which flowed majestically towards the port they had quitted; and, in due time, Harfleur, and Honfleur, each beautifully situated on opposite banks, were passed; beyond this, the country, though less interesting, was still pretty; but the first town they went through struck them as

exhibiting marks of decay, and looked, as Charles observed, very different to provincial towns in England, "where people would surely have built up the walls and glazed the windows a little better than they did here!" "I think they would," said Frederick;

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yet these country people seem exceedingly like ours to look at. They are especially like the Sussex people, who wear what they call round frocks, just like these men who are with the hay-cart, or those who are lounging at the inn door.”

“The observation is quite just," said Mr. Egerton; "these Normans are evidently of the same race with those of our southern counties; and a very fine race they are, though not so tall nor perhaps so handsome as those in the north of England. They are well made, muscular, athletic men, with countenances indicative of intelligence and good temper; and we may safely acknowledge them, first as conquerors, and next as relations."

Neither of our youths liked the idea of owning conquerors, but as they took from

Lillebonne three more horses, this circumstance, which was entirely new to them, engaged their attention. In the meantime, Mrs. Egerton had asked Emily if she could give her any account of Rouen, adding, "beyond its being the place where poor Joan of Arc suffered, equally, as it appears, from both the French and English authorities, I forget all about it."

"I have read, Mamma, that Rouen was a very ancient place, and at one time inhabited by the Romans. It was the capital of the Duchy of Normandy, when that country was independent of France; so, of course, it has suffered much from warfare, each conqueror by turns being its master. Our Henry V. conquered it at one time, and disgraced himself by executing the brave man who had defended it. At the time of the horrible massacre of St. Bartholomew, through the active humanity of the Governor, Rouen suffered less than any other great city; and a similar circumstance happily occurred during the terrible revolution of 1793. It is the see of an archbishop; and the cathedral is

thought to be the finest in France. Richard Cœur de Lion, or rather his heart, is buried there, as are several other great men. The spire was destroyed by lightning, about twenty years since. Rouen has several other fine churches; that of St. Ouen is admired the most. But see, Mamma, we have got to another town! a walled one, the first I

"It is Caudebec, my dear, which your papa was speaking of; but, except its walls and towers, which are new to us, it has no great attractions. Tell me what you can

recollect farther of Rouen."

"It has a royal court, a royal college, museums, a gallery of paintings, public libraries, four hospitals, numerous manufactories, a court-house, called the Palais de Justice, of great beauty; and, in the Place de la Pucelle, is a very grand house, ornamented with a series of tablets, representing the Field of the Cloth of Gold. Oh! I expect to see a great deal at Rouen; but, I believe, part of it is a sad dirty place, and smells shockingly."