TO

LOUISA MARY,

THE DAUGHTER OF

A. J. B. HOPE, Esq. M.P.,

AND

THE LADY MILDRED HOPE,

This Little Book

IS

AFFECTIONATELY DEDICATED

(BY THEIR KIND PERMISSION)

IN RECOLLECTION OF A SIMILAR WORK INSCRIBED

TO HER FATHER,

AND IN THE EARNEST DESIRE,

THAT IT MAY HEREAFTER CONTRIBUTE TO HER

AMUSEMENT AND INFORMATION.

PREFACE.

THE Writer of the following Pages has always thought the best purpose of that class of works, called "childrens' books," was that of awakening a desire for knowledge, thereby stimulating youth to seek it in the many excellent volumes which the present state of literature provides for their information; but which they will rarely desire, until they have been prompted by pleasurable excitement.

This little Book, therefore, makes no pretensions to supersede any of the excellent

66

Hand-books," and "Guides to Paris," already printed, but rather seeks to lead the young reader to examine whatever belongs either to the description or the history of that great and interesting country, of which

it is the capital. The Author trusts, that in the society of young persons, whose views, feelings, and partialities her readers may be supposed to share, during a true journey to a city so celebrated, her juvenile readers may be led gently forward, until they can adopt thankfully a more instructive companionship.

The great circulation given to her former works, and the still more gratifying assurance from many parents and friends of their real utility, render the Writer extremely anxious, yet humbly hopeful, that this (which both age and infirmity mark as her last) will not be found the least useful in awakening a praiseworthy curiosity, and in cherishing those domestic affections which are allied to the noblest energies, and the purest virtues. BARBARA HOFLAND.

Richmond,

August 8, 1844.