articularly for the sale of crockery and glass
ware. The second occupies the south side, and is called the
Basse-Vieille-Tour, because it is considerably lower than the other
portion. Several kinds of eatables are sold here, especially fish.

There formerly existed a very beautiful fountain in the middle of the
higher place, which was composed of a triangular pyramid, surmounted by
a statue of Alexander; but not the least vestige of it remains. The
present fountain is supplied with water from the Gaalor spring.

Near the linen-mart, we observe a remarkable edifice, which projects
from the rest of the building, called the monument of Saint-Romain. This
structure however does not form part of the marts, to which it has not
the least resemblance. Neither did it form apart, of the palace of the
ancient dukes of Normandy, as some persons still believe. The style of
its architecture sufficiently indicates the time of its erection, namely
1542. The corinthian order of architecture appears in the whole height
of the building. It was on the first floor that the celebrated old
ceremony, called the _levee de la Fierte_, for the delivrance of a
prisoner, took place every year.[18]

In the neighbourhood of the linen and cotton marts, is the corn mart;
it is three hundred feet in length, its breadth being in proportion. It
is open three days in the week: mondays, wednesdays and fridays: the two
others marts are open only on fridays.

[Footnote 18: To have all accounts of this ceremony, see the work of Mr
Floquet, entitled: _Histoire du Privilige de Saint-Romain_, etc,--Rouen,
E. Le Grand, 1833, 2 vol. 8vo.]

THE EXCHANGE.

Untill the year 1493, the merchants of Rouen had no place of meeting
alloted to transact their commercial affairs. They met however, in the
cathedral but, without authorisation. The municipal authorities, wishing
to put a stop to this state of things, made an arrangement with the
bailiff of Rouen, who issued a decree: "That there should be erected at
the lower end of the New-Market place, and at the expense of the town, a
large stone building, and on the second floor of this edifice, a large
hall was to be reserved for the use of the merchants of the town, those
of other nations also having the same right, to meet and transact their
affairs; which hall is to be named, for the future, the common town
hall."

The stone building here spoken of, is that vast wing, which closes the
court of the _Palais-de-Just