The Argosy — page 53: what you’re looking at

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

AQ Letters from Majorca. precious bag amongst them. It was quite dark, and our first im- pression of Bordeaux was that of rolling over a fine bridge, and a river of amazing width, and a port apparently of endless resources and anchorage. Church towers and steeples uprose here and there, and an old gateway—La Porte du Palais—called out all H. C.’s enthusiasm, though we could see nothing but outlines exaggerated against the dark night sky. But he was right, for the next oF it 4 proved ancient and interesting. f We soon found ourselves at the Hotel de France, and were not refused admission to the table d’hote, where, amongst other courses, we were treated to boiled mutton and caper sauce, called in the menu, Gigot a Anglaise: reminding one of the menu at the Cliftonville Hotel at Margate, where I had recently spent some time. ‘The first day, one of the items was Curry a ’Indienne, and we wondered what curry zof a VIndienne could be. The second day the self same dish was entered Karri a la sauce piguante. Both were simply curried mutton. The next morning I had one of my headaches, which you know have been my perpetual torment and torture; but which, thanks to Dr. Frazer of Bournemouth, who must be a wizard in his profession, have become very nearly things of the past with me. By ten o’clock it had taken flight, and we went forth to examine Bordeaux by day- light. We had done so the previous night, and under gaslight it looked an imposing, well built town, with shops that rivalled those of Paris. One jeweller had an especial display of gems, and it took all my powers of persuasion to prevent H. C. from entering and rashly buying a pair of solitaire diamond earrings marked at the modest price of 5,000 francs. I tried my hardest to find out who they were destined for, but the Oracle was discreet and dumb. By daylight Bordeaux was equally imposing. Nearly all the shops were open until twelve, and then closed, as it was Sunday. The general impression of the town is exceedingly good ; but a far inferior town would be made conspicuous and interesting by its noble river and port, and the fine bridges spanning the water. ‘The cathedral has a splendid exterior, but the west facade was never finished ; and the detached belfry at the east end, a lovely Gothic tower, is crowned by an ugly gilt image of the Virgin—though the church is dedicated to St. André. This tower once had a spire too feet high, but it was destroyed during the Reign of Terror. If the interior can be considered fine, it consists in being a nave spanned by a single vault of great width, resting on Romanesque arches, with two tiers of Romanesque windows on either side. ‘This single span gives it dignity, and makes it somewhat imposing; but with this exception, the general effect is not by any means striking. More remarkable in some ways was the church of St. Michel which also has a very fine detached Gothic belfry, but whose exterior eae } ¢ J i . comiclbooks. corn