Alfred; or, The Adventures of a French Gentleman — page 155: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

128 ALFRED; OR ADVENTURES triumphed over the watery waste, and could control the billows, as she defied the influence of the tide. At length, De Rosann became wearied of his own reflections, and looked. naar him to seek a variety. On his right hand was a middle-aged Englishman of genteel appearance, cood- humoured countenance, and easy manners. He, mor eover, spoke French uncommonly well, and addressed De Rosann in that language. ‘¢You are upon your way to England, Monsieur, for the same purpose, I presume, that originally led me to France—unless, in- deed, you have been thither before.” ‘‘ This is the first time,’’ answered De Rosann; “but business, as well as pleasure, have induced me to undertake this voyage.” ‘Of course, you will proceed to London,” said the Englishman. ‘¢ My affairs he in that city ; and even if they did not, curiosity alone would be a sufiicient inducement to make me visit the metro- polis of your country,’ returned our hero. ‘You flatter my national pride,” cried the Englishman; ‘‘ and I dare assert, that if you have formed any idea of the splendour, the magnificence, and the extent of London, you will not be disap- ~ pointed.” ‘‘ Have you a Palais Royal in London?” inquired De Rosann. «¢ We have not a Palais Royal, it is true,” answered the English- man ; ‘* but our streets are large, and our shops are elegant——our bazaars are a combination of all that is costly and rare—our squares are numerous—our public edifices remarkable—our theatres exten- sive and handsome—our parks are open to the public, and our palaces well calculated for regal dwellings.” ‘¢T have heard,” said De Rosann, ‘¢ ‘that it is only at the west- end where the streets are large and commodious, and that their width is carried to a ridiculous excess. [I have, moreover, read a description of your public buildings, and they do not appear so numerous or remarkable as those in Paris.” ‘¢ Wait till you see London,” said the Englishman, somewhat sulkily. ‘¢QOh!” eried De Rosann, smiling at the unworthy petulance of. the other, “‘ I only speak at present from what I have heard or read. London and Paris are doubtless the first cities in the world —and London is the larger of thetwo ; but Paris abounds in more delights, in greater pleasur es. We have cafés, restaurants, public baths, and news-rooms at every step. We have four times the number of theatres that London can boast of ; and with regard to the luxuries of life, [ think you will agree with me in yielding the palm to the French kitchen.” _ “ Yes,” cried the Englishman, endeavouring to conceal his ill- humour in an affected facetiousness, ‘‘ the French are superior to the English in their cooking and their dancing.” ‘¢ And in their manners,” added our hero, drily. The Englishman muttered a ‘¢ You be damned!” between his teeth, which did not, however, reach the ear of De Rosann, and assed over to the other side of the vessel, consoling himself with the idea of ** Well, thank God, we beat them at Waterloo!” CORNICE IOOLKSsE©) mM #