Mr. Egerton had to transact with Mr. R—, the latter answered his lady's kind inquiries after a widowed sister; and she heard with pleasure that she was then in Paris. "On Monday evening," he added, "my wife sees company; and as I live in the Champs Elysées, which is near your Hôtel, we shall be very glad if you will drop in, for there will be several young ladies, and a little music and dancing will be pleasant to your young family. There will probably be a few literary men, but that will make no difference, we all dance in Paris."

Having gladly accepted this invitation, they determined on going homeward; for, although the custom of the country warranted their dining anywhere, all agreed that Meurice's was such a comfortable home, they had rather go there than stop on the road; and they were certain that Mrs. Egerton was unequal to any farther exertion. They, nevertheless, took Place Vendôme in their way, and alighted to look at that magnificent column, it being but a step from thence to the Rue de Rivoli.

"Place Vendôme," said Mr. Egerton, "is four hundred and forty-four feet long, and four hundred and forty wide. The buildings on three sides are uniform; and on the ground-floor is a continued covered gallery. The column before you is one hundred and fifty-six feet high, and covered entirely with brass furnished by the artillery which Buonaparte took from the Austrians. The pedestal is enriched with bas-reliefs, as is the column also; all giving a history of the battles of France. Like our own Monument, there is a spiral staircase within, but permission was not given to go up, in consequence of an accident which had happened; otherwise the boys should have ascended, as a fine view of Paris may be seen from it."

66 Thank dear sir, you, I am sure you allow us to see quite enough," said Frederick. "I am only afraid we shall half kill Mrs. Egerton with so much sight-seeing. I shall enter to-day's shows in a journal, lest I should forget them."

"And I shall read the guide-book which Mr. Rolls has given me," cried Charles,

G

"that I may see how many more things I may look for. The more I see, the more I want to see. I shall have plenty of time to recollect them when I get home."

"I doubt," observed his father, "whether your mind will recall them in the same way that your friend's journal will."

"Oh, yes, sir!" said Frederick eagerly, "I do think it will; for he has the faculty of recollection in an extraordinary degree. He remembers everything that he desires to remember; and if phrenology were a true science, I should say he had the organ of locality singularly developed. I do believe if we lost him or dropped him anywhere in Paris, he would come back quite safe as soon as possible, in consequence of his having examined the map."

"I am glad to hear it," said Mr. Egerton ; "but I hope he will not be tempted to try, for Paris is the last place in the world to play tricks in. He might, it is true, be most kindly informed, and shown his way, for the citizens are a good-natured and kind people; but there is a race to be found, with whom

neither boys nor men must tamper. There are places and people in Paris, to whom a good suit of clothes and a watch would be temptation sufficient to introduce the owner to a lodging, in the only place we have passed, for which he has not evinced insatiable curiosity."

66

But I promise, papa, I will go nowhere without you, or by your leave, which is the same, you know," said Charles.

"I accept your promise, Charles, for it is necessary to my comfort," replied the father. "The very thought of your wandering alone, in a distant and obscure part of the city, would render your mother absolutely wretched."

CHAPTER V.

THE following morning, to the great joy of Charles, and, indeed, of his companions, they proceeded to the Louvre; in the first place examining the exterior, both in the

old and new parts, with the latter of which they were exceedingly pleased. After this, they proceeded to visit the interior, more especially the Musée Royale, which contains the grand galleries of painting and sculpture.

After passing several fine saloons, and stopping a short time to look at the battle pieces of Le Brun, they entered the great gallery, and were absolutely astonished at its length, which is one thousand four hundred feet, and by the splendid effect produced by many thousand pictures, productions of living artists, then displayed on its walls.

"It was here," said Mr. Egerton, “and in a neighbouring saloon, that those treasures of art were displayed, of which Italy, Spain, the Netherlands, &c., were robbed; and which in number, and probably in excellence, might be said to exceed all Greek, all Roman fame, on the subject of spoliation. My father brought me here, when I was about Emily's age; and well do I remember how often he shook his head, as he spoke of pictures which had been the pride of those countries, the