invariable appendages of the scene. Langevin mentions the minor fairs
of _Ste. Croix, St. Michel_, and _St. Gervais_, which help to bring
wealth into the pockets of the inhabitants. _Recherches Historiques
sur Falaise_; p. 199, &c.

[173] [Since the publication of this Tour, the amiable Mons. Langevin has
published "additions" to his historical account of Falaise; and in
those additions, he has been pleased to notice the account which is
HERE given of his labours and character. It would be bad--at least
hardly justifiable--taste, to quote that notice: yet I cannot
dissemble the satisfaction to find that there is _more_ than ONE
sympathising heart in Normandy, which appreciates this record of its
excellence. I subjoin, therefore, with the greatest satisfaction, a
fac-simile of the autograph of this amiable and learned man, as it
appears written (at my request) in the title-page of a copy of his
"Researches."

[Illustration: Langevin ptre.]

LETTER XXI.

JOURNEY TO PARIS. DREUX. HOUDAN. VERSAILLES. ENTRANCE INTO PARIS.

_Paris, Rue Faubourg Poissoniere, May_ 30, 1819.

"Time and the hour runs through the roughest day." They must be protacted
miseries indeed which do not, at some period or other, have something like
a termination. I am here, then my good friend--safe and sound at last;
comfortably situated in a boarding house, of which the mistress is an
agreeable Englishwoman and the master an intelligent Swiss. I have
sauntered, gazed, and wondered--and exchanged a thousand gracious
civilities! I have delivered my epistolary credentials: have shaken hands
with Monsieur Van Praet; have paced the suite of rooms in which the
renowned BIBLIOTHEQUE DU ROI is deposited: have traversed the _Thuileries_
and the _Louvre_; repeatedly reconnoitred the _Boulevards_; viewed the gilt
dome of the _Hotel des Invalides_, and the white flag upon the
bronze-pillar in the _Place Vendome_; seen crowds of our countrymen at
_Meurice's_ and in the hotels about the _Rue de la Paix;_ partaken of the
rival ices of _Tortoni_ and the _Caffe des Mille Colonnes_; bought old
French poetry at a Bouquiniste's: and drank Chambertin and Champagne at the
richly garnished table of our ----. These are what may be called good
_foreground objects_ in the composition of a Parisian picture. Now for the
filling up of the canvas with appropriate and harmonizing detail.

A second reflection c