CONTENTS. Toulouse - Pyrenean Baths - Bagnères de Luchon - Bagnères de THE CONTINENTAL TRAVELLER AND INVALID'S HAND-BOOK. CHAPTER I. ROUTES TO PARIS-BOULOGNE-PARIS-FRENCH CHARACTERISTICS RECENT CHANGES-CLIMATE, AND MEDICAL PRACTICE. CONSIDERING Paris as the first point to be reached by the traveller proceeding southward, each of the routes presents its advantages. That by Brighton and Dieppe is the most direct, but the sea passage being of five or six hours' duration, the communication is much less frequent than across the narrower parts of the Channel, and in the winter months is altogether interrupted: the entrance to Dieppe harbour is not very good; and, on account of there being no harbour at Brighton, the landing and embarkation there is not always practicable, in which case passengers have to land at Shoreham. Dieppe is a neat town of 16,000 inhabitants; the Grande rue, running through to the port, contains the best hotels, and in the season has a cheerful and animated appearance. The port is spacious, and B is commanded by a citadel and castle. The principal inducement Dieppe presents for the temporary sojourn of strangers is the bathing, this being the nearest sea-bathing establishment to Paris. The baths are under the superintendence of a physician inspector, as at the other sea and mineral bathing-places in France. Between Dieppe and Paris the country is agreeably diversified, the road passing through the most fruitful part of Normandy, and the journey by railroad from Rouen being made in about four hours. Except the cathedral, St. Ouen, and the quays, there is little to interest the passing traveller in this city. Between Dieppe and Havre the scenery of the Seine is, however, of the most interesting description, especially where the river widens out, near Quillebœuf. This is an inducement with some to prefer the Havre passage from Shoreham, which lasts about an hour and a-half longer. This is one of the finest ports of France, admitting the largest vessels, and regularly communicating with America, St. Petersburg, and other important points. There is at Havre a small English colony, and the establishment Frascati presents some resource for recreation. Most of the merchants and English residents live at the large suburb Ingonville. The objection to a long trajet will, however, always induce the great majority of travellers to prefer the two hours' passage between Folkstone or Dover, and Boulogne and Calais, especially as the railroad is now open from the former town to Paris, which may be reached in about eight hours. Boulogne is an agreeable town for a short residence in the summer season, and has been of late years a good deal resorted to by families from England, on account of sea bathing, which is excellent, a fine sandy beach extending at low water eastward of the port, which has been greatly improved by the construction of a jetty along the ridge of rocks that formerly rendered the entrance less safe. The streets are clean, wide, and have an animated appearance; and several of the shops are handsome. The lower town lies at the base and up the acclivity of a steep hill, on which stands the high town, inclosed by ramparts, planted with trees, and forming an agreeable promenade, whence extensive views may be obtained of the surrounding country. The population amounts to thirty thousand; many rentiers reside in the high town, whilst the inhabitants of the lower town are for the most part engaged in commercial and professional avocations, are lodging-house keepers, or connected with the port. The environs are agreeable, and the air is light and bracing, but the winter is generally severe, on account of the northern aspect and unsheltered position of the town, and cold winds and storms are of frequent occurrence. Boulogne is, however, on the whole, a healthy place of residence, and generally agrees well with children, though it would not be an advisable place for delicate |