ut Rollo could
not understand the operation of the machinery very well. The obelisk
itself was covered on all sides with ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics,
deeply cut into the stone; but the children could not understand the
hieroglyphics any better than they could the machinery.

After looking some time longer at the obelisk and the various objects of
interest that were around it, the whole party walked on together. Mr.
George said that he and his friend were going up the avenue of the
Elysian Fields, and that, if Rollo and Jennie would walk along behind
them, they would not get lost. Jennie was very glad of this; for the
crowd of people that were coming and going was getting to be very great,
and she was a little afraid. Rollo, on the other hand, was rather sorry.
The Triumphal Arch at the farther end of the avenue was in full view,
and thus he felt sure of his way; and he was ambitious of the honor of
being the sole guide in the excursion which he and Jane were taking. He,
however, could not well decline his uncle's invitation; so, when the two
gentlemen moved on, Rollo and Jennie followed them.

The Grand Avenue was a very broad and beautiful roadway, gently
ascending toward the barrier, and now perfectly thronged with carriages
and horsemen. There were also two side avenues, one on each side of the
central one. These were for foot passengers. There were rows of trees
between. Beyond the side avenues there extended on either hand a wood,
formed of large and tall trees, planted in rows, and standing close
enough together to shade the whole ground. They were, however, far
enough apart to allow of open and unobstructed motion among them. Under
these trees, and in open spaces which were left here and there among
them, there were booths, and stalls, and tables, and tents, and all
sorts of contrivances for entertainment and pleasure, with crowds of
people gathered around them in groups, or moving slowly from one to the
other. There were men, some dressed like gentlemen, and others wearing
blue, cartmen's frocks; and women, some with bonnets and some with caps;
and children of all ages and sizes; and soldiers without number, with
blue coats, and dark-red trousers, and funny caps, without any brim,
except the visor. In the midst of all these multitudes Mr. George and
the gentleman who was with him slowly led the way up the side avenue,
Rollo and Jennie following them, quite bewildered with the extraordinary
spectacles which w