but is now the church St. Louis, a plain
building of the doric order, but decorated by some fine fresco
paintings, and four large pictures of saints, painted in wax. From hence
we may take the Rue Joubert, opposite, and proceed until we arrive at
the Rue de la Victoire, formerly called the Rue Chantereine, where
resided Napoleon after his Italian campaign, and from hence went forth
to strike the _coup d'etat_ which dissolved the government on the 18th
Brumaire. The house was built for the famous dancer Guimard, then passed
to Madame Talma, who sold it to madame Beauharnais, afterwards the
Empress Josephine, who added the pavilion at the nearer end. Bertrand
inhabited this mansion a short time after his return from St. Helena, at
present it is untenanted, and undergoing repair; it belongs to the widow
of General Lefebvre Desnouettes. In the garden is a bust of Napoleon,
which certainly possesses no great merit. If disposed to extend our
walk, we may proceed northward to the Rue de Clichy and there find a
prison for debtors, in an airy, healthy situation, which is satisfactory
information for some of our prodigal countrymen, too many of whom, I
regret to say, have been, and are still, inhabitants of this building,
which contains from 150 to 200 persons. In returning we will amuse
ourselves in wandering about many of the streets of the
Chaussee-d'Antin, both right and left, which have in them some most
beautiful houses decorated with statues and the most elaborate
carve-work. On returning to the Boulevards by the Madeleine, as we pass
along we notice the Hotel des Affaires Etrangeres, or residence of the
Minister of Foreign Affairs, corner of the Rue Neuve-des-Capucines,
formerly belonging to Marshal Berthier, we then proceed to the eastward,
and turn down the Rue Neuve St. Augustin, which will bring us to the
point where the streets La Michodiere and Port Mahon meet, at the
beautiful Fontaine de Louis-le-Grand, with the statue of a Genius
striking at a dolphin, with consistent ornaments extremely well
executed.

CHAPTER VII.

A matter of fact chapter, more useful than amusing; advice to
Englishmen visiting or sojourning at Paris; several serviceable
establishments recommended; hints as to management and economy.

Although I have already afforded my readers a transient glance at the
Champs-Elysees on entering Paris, yet so charming a spot must not be
passed over altogether in so hurried a manner;