"To go with a blue cravat is _shocking_. When the doors are open, blows with the fist and the elbow are given without regard to age or sex. It is the peculiar fashion of entering which the natives have. If a Frenchman be recognized the people cry _French dog_. In the pit, the man behind you will place his foot on your shoulder. The ladies are plunged up to the neck in boxes. In the theatre there is an echo, which produces an abominable effect; but such is the vile musical taste of the English that they have never found it out. In the saloon you hear the continual hissing of teakettles." The English Parliament-- "The House of Commons at present meets in a hole. The peers are in their new chamber. It is small, not monumental, and heavily ornamented. It reminds one of our tea shops, or a _boudoir_. The lords, when assembled, are generally placed on their backs, or rather lean on the back of the neck, and keep their legs above their heads. The Queen's throne, like constitutional royalty, is a gilded cage." The new Houses of Parliament-- "They are an immense architectural plaything, and the English only admire them because they cost a vast sum." English love of titles-- "One of my friends gave me a letter of introduction to Sir William P----, _Esquire_. I left the letter with my card at the Reform Club, Pall Mall. Two hours after Sir William came to my residence; but as I was not at home he wrote a line, and addressed it to me with the flattering designation of _Esquire_. England is the country of legal equality; but this sort of equilibrium does not extend to social usages; and although our _penchant_ for distinctions seems puerile to the English, it would be easy to prove that they are not exempt from it. They have not, as we have, the love of uniforms, laced coats, epaulettes, or decorations; their button-holes often carry a flower, but never a rosette or knot of ribbon. But every body pretends to the title of _Sir_, which was formerly reserved exclusively to members of the House of Commons, to Baronets, and to some public functionaries. As, however, the title _Sir_ has become too vulgar, every body calls himself _Esquire_ to distinguish himself from his neighbor. This remark, nevertheless, does not concern my friend Sir William, for he is really an Esquire." English soldiers--