Page:Narrative of a captivity and adventures in France and Flanders between the years 1803 and 1809.djvu/34

 *ture of which consisted of a bed, not untenanted, three chairs and a table. In this hovel, Whitehurst, Murray, and myself existed three weeks; at the expiration of that period, our pay being augmented to twenty-five sols per day, we were enabled to dine at a "table-d' hôte," and get into a more comfortable lodging, with the additional luxury of a bed each.

Mr. Fitzsimons (the gentleman who procured us our first lodging) introduced me to a family of the name of Prevost, with whom he resided. It was from Mr. Fitzsimons that I learnt the first rudiments of the French language; but I was still more indebted to Mrs. Prevost, a most accomplished and pleasing lady, who took infinite pains to instruct me, and by whose flattering influence I was encouraged to apply so closely to my studies, that in two months I was able to make myself understood; my comrades were also studying French, and making rapid improvement; so that, stimulating each other to ardent exertion in our new pursuit, we seldom thought of amusements till the evening.