[61] Sir Robert Thomas Wilson (1779-1849), author of _The History of the British Expedition to Egypt_, 1802; a French translation of that work elicited a protest from Napoleon.--ED. [62] Vanderberg had made a fortune as a contractor to the French army; he is mentioned in Ida Saint Elme's _Mémoires d'une contemporaine_ and elsewhere.--ED. [63] Abbé Sicard (Rooh Ambroise) was director of the Institution of Sourds-Muets from 1790 to 1797 and from 1800 to 1822.--ED. [64] Paul Didier (1758-1816) took part in a Bonapartist conspiracy at Lyons in 1816, raised an insurrection in the Isère and fled to Piedmont, whence he was surrendered to the French authorities, condemned to death and executed at Grenoble.--ED. [65] The King's brother, afterwards Charles X.--ED. [66] The N.E. pavilion of the Tuileries.--ED. CHAPTER VII Journey from Paris to Lausanne--Besançon--French refugees in Lausanne--François Lamarque--General Espinassy--Bordas--Gautier--Michau-- M. de Laharpe--Mlle Michaud--Levade, a Protestant minister--Chambéry--Aix-- Details about M. de Boigne's career in India--English Toryism and intolerance--Valley of Maurienne--Passage across Mont Cenis and arrival at Suza--Turin. LAUSANNE, July 8th. Departing from Paris on the 24th June, 1816, I varied my journey into Switzerland this time, for instead of travelling thro' Lyons or Dole, I took the route of Besangon, Pontarlier, Jougne and Orbe. The country between Dijon and Besançon is a rich and fertile plain. At Besançon the mountainous country begins; it is a strong fortress, and the last considerable town of the French frontier. It lies in a very picturesque situation, being nearly environed by the Doubs, which meanders under its walls, and by very lofty mountains; on the other side of the Doubs stands the citadel, its chief strength. The town of Besangon is exceedingly handsome and well built, and there are several agreeable promenades, two of which I must particularize, viz., the promenade de Chamarre and the garden of the Palace of Granvelle. There are besides several Roman antiquities and the remains of a large amphitheatre. I amused myself very well for a couple of days at Besançon, and met with some agreeable society at the _Hôtel de France_ where I lodged. I left Besançon at eight in the morning of the 30th June, and arrived at Pontarlier at six the same evening. Pontarlier is a dreary, melancholy looking place, consisting of a very long street and several offsets of streets, situated in the midst of mountains, eternally covered with snow. Winter reigns here during nine months of the year. At Pontarlier the whole garrison were under arms, when I arrived, to pay the last duties to a most respectable and respected officer, whose death was occasioned by falling into the river, while at the _necessary_, by the under board giving way. This officer had served in almost all the campaigns of Napoleon and had greatly distinguished himself.