beer, for the French seem fond of such thin drinks, although the constant repetition of the words “_Eau de vie_” (sometimes “_Au de vis_”) indicates that they are not altogether averse to something more stimulating. In the afternoon I mounted Cossack and joined the throng. There was no choice but to go at their pace, so completely filled was the road. The easy, natural, good-humoured manner in which my companions, right and left, chatted and laughed with me, left no room to feel one’s self a foreigner, much less an enemy. We were all “_hail fellow well met_.” Occasional openings allowed me from time to time to push on, and thus change my company. There was, however, no difference between them in one respect--I always found my new friends just as chatty and good-humoured as those left behind. At Arnouvilles, still following the stream, I was swept into the palace gardens, and found myself in the midst of a most gay _fête-champêtre_. All had come provided with a little basket, or something of the sort, and now, seated round a clean white cloth spread on the grass, numerous parties were enjoying at once the coolness and fragrance under the shade of fine trees or thickets of acacias, laburnums, syringas, &c. &c. Merry laughter, and an occasional “Vive le Roi!” resounded on all sides, and was from time to time responded to more loudly by the crowd assembled without, all anxious to get a sight of their _new old_ King. I longed to try the same experiment as at Senlis, but did not dare.[10] Handsome young men of the Garde-de-Corps, in their classical helmets and brilliant uniforms, were strolling along the gravel walk, their countenances radiant with joy. I could not but sympathise with them in thus returning into the bosom of their country, and again meeting with those dearest to them after an absence which, though short, had at its commencement promised a most hopeless duration. Indeed, I did witness more than one tender recognition and affectionate embrace. In the palace his majesty was holding a levee, which, judging from the numbers crowding in, must have been very fatiguing work. Whilst strolling about amidst this scene of festivity, the sharp notes of a trumpet recalled me to the palace, where I found all bustle. It was the _bout-selle_ that had sounded, and the Garde-de-Corps was already formed on parade to accompany the advance of the royal cortège. As I wished to see this, and had as yet not dined, I returned forthwith to Garges, which a diminution of the throng fortunately allowed me to do speedily, and having got my dinner, regained the highroad (which crosses at the higher end of our village) just as the cortège and crowd came up. First marched the Garde-de-Corps, resplendent with steel and silver; then came the Garde Suisse, about two hundred as handsome young men as can well be imagined, and such as I never before saw in one body--tall, straight, even genteel figures. They owed nothing to their dress, which was shabby in the