1st. That we had not made a previous agreement; and _ergo_, that she had a right to demand whatever she pleased. 2dly. That she paid a great rent “à la nation[67];” and that, therefore, “_la nation_” ought to permit her to make her guests pay a great rent for their lodgings. 3dly. That “_l’ambassadeur de l’empereur Russe_[68],” having lodged at her house only a week before, and not having objected to a charge of two louis per bed, “_les milords anglois_” ought to think her present demand extremely reasonable. Notwithstanding this very able defence, the justice told her, that the law would not allow her _d’écorcher les étrangers_[69]; and very equitably decreed, that we should pay 36 instead of 63 _francs_. _Madame_ received, very indignantly, the sum allotted her, and went away in a rage, declaring that, in future, no person should sleep at _le petit Trianon_, who would not bind himself before hand to pay the price which “son excellence l’ambassadeur de toutes les Russies” thought so reasonable. So concluded our trial, which I have detailed as characteristic of what is to be expected at inns in France, if prior arrangements be not made by travellers; and likewise as an honourable proof, that justice, though not clad in ermine, is fairly administered. In going away, I was not a little surprised to find, that there were no costs to pay, and that even the summons had been issued gratuitously. In England, where we possess so admirable a system of laws, how much are its advantages diminished, by the expenses attendant on every process! for, as a distinguished public man once well observed, though the temple of justice be open to all, it is like the London tavern, only the favourites of fortune dare approach its threshold. In returning to our inn, we passed by the royal stables, which are still kept up, and filled with horses. These are now appropriated to the use of the officers of the army, who come here to be instructed in the menage, and who employ, for this purpose, the _quondam_ riding school of the king. The horses appeared, at least to an english eye, very indifferent. We also saw here some arabians, lately arrived from Egypt. They are extremely plain, lanky, and awkward; but the groom assured us, on being asked if they were swift, “Oui, monsieur, comme les oiseaux.” (“Yes, sir, as swift as birds.”) It was in vain to object to outward form, when we learnt that these animals had the talent of flying. If, according to the old jockey phrase, “no good horse can have a bad colour,” certainly no horse who flies can be ugly.