I found no greater alteration in _Paris_, after ten years' absence from it, than the prodigious difference of expence; most articles, I think, are one-third dearer, and many double; a horse is not half so well fed or lodged at _Paris_ as at _London_; but the expence is nearly a guinea a week, and a stranger may drive half round the city before he can lodge himself and his horses under the same roof.[F] [F] _Paul Gilladeau_ who lately left the Silver Lion, at _Calais_, has, I am informed, opened a Livery Stable at _Paris_, upon the _London_ plan, in partnership with _Dessein_, of the _Hotel d'Angleterre_ at _Calais_: a convenience much wanted, and undertaken by a man very likely to succeed. The beauties, the pleasures, and variety of amusements, which this city abounds with, are, without doubt, the magnets which attract so many people of rank and fortune of all nations to it; all which are too well known to be pointed out by me.--To a person of great fortune in the _hey-day_ of life, _Paris_ may be preferable even to _London_; but to one of my age and walk in life, it is, and was ten years ago, the least agreeable place I have seen in France.--Walking the streets is extremely dangerous, riding in them very expensive; and when those things which are worthy to be seen, (and much there is very worthy) have been seen, the city of _Paris_ becomes a melancholy residence for a stranger, who neither plays at cards, dice, or deals in the principal manufacture of the city; i.e. _ready-made love_, a business which is carried on with great success, and with more decency, I think, that even in _London_. The English Ladies are _weak_ enough to attach themselves to, and to love, one man. The gay part of the French women love none, but receive all, _pour passer le tems_.--The _English_, unlike the _Parisian_ Ladies, take pains to discover _who_ they love; the French women to dissemble with those they hate. It is extremely difficult for even strangers of rank or fortune, to get among the first people, so as to be admitted to their suppers; and without that, it is impossible to have any idea of the luxury and stile in which they live: quantity, variety, and show, are more attended to in France, than neatness. It is in England alone, where tables are served with real and uniform elegance; but the appetite meets with more provocatives in France; and the French _cuisine_ in that respect, certainly has the superiority.