Description of Paris - Departure by the Diligence - The Country - The
Vineyards - Hotels and fare - Arrival at Lyons - Description of
the City - Departure in the Steam-boat for Arles - Descent of the
Rhone - Beauty and Variety of the Scenery - Confusion on disembarking at
Beaucaire - A Passenger Drowned - Arrival at Arles - Description of the
Town - Embarkation in the Steamer for Marseilles - Entrance into the
Mediterranean - Picturesque approach to Marseilles - Arrival in the
Harbour - Description of Marseilles - Observations upon the Journey
through France by Ladies.
A week's residence in Paris does not give a stranger any title to
decide upon the merits or demerits of that far-famed city. The period
of the year (September) was not the most favourable for a visit, all
the best families having emigrated to their country habitations, and
the city consequently exhibited a deserted air, at variance with every
preconceived notion of the gaiety of the French capital. The mixture
of meanness and magnificence in the buildings, the dirt and bad
smells, combine to give an unfavourable impression, which time only,
and a better acquaintance with the more agreeable features of the
place, can remove.
We had entertained a hope, upon our arrival in Paris, of getting the
malle poste for our journey to Chalons; but it was engaged for at
least a month in advance. We were not more fortunate, our party now
being reduced to three, in our endeavour to secure the coupe, and
were obliged to be contented with places (corners) in the interior.
We despatched all our heavy goods - that is, the portmanteaus - by
messagerie, to Marseilles, which was a great saving of trouble.
Though the expense of this conveyance is enormous, it has the great
advantage of speed, travelling nearly as quickly as the diligence,
while by the roulage, which is cheaper, very inconvenient delays may
be incurred.
We quitted Paris on the 13th of September, well pleased with the
treatment we had received. Though the charges for lodging, washing,
&c. were high, there was no attempt at imposition; our landlady
would not allow us to pay any thing for the eighth day of our abode,
although we thereby entered into another week. We had the pleasure
of leaving every body well satisfied with us, and willing to receive
another English party.
The diligence started at the appointed hour, namely, six o'clock in
the evening. Unaccustomed to travel all night, we were rather anxious
about breakfast, as we had merely stopped to change horses, without
resting for any refreshment since we quitted Paris. Upon our arrival
at Sens, at about seven o'clock in the morning, we were amused by the
appearance of a party of persons running, gesticulating, and talking
with all their might, who brought hot coffee, milk, bread, and fruit
to the carriage-door. At first we were disinclined to avail ourselves
of the breakfast thus offered, but learning that we should not get any
thing else before twelve o'clock in the day, we overcame our scruples,
and partook of the despised fare, which we found very good of its
kind.
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