Page:Pleasant Memories of Pleasant Lands.djvu/316

 SEVERITY OF WINTER. 291

Among the tasteful article* exhibited, is a bed draped with muslin, embroidered in gold, which formerly be longed to Maria Louisa. Both these fine structures have some exquisite pictures.

AV were persevering in visiting the palaces of Paris and its environs, with other objects and institutions of interest, notwithstanding the severity of the winter. Having heard so much of the fine climate of France, we were surprised at being sometimes enveloped in those dense, yellow fogs, which we flattered ourselves had been left behind in London. Snow frequently descended, and lay thickly upon the roofs for several weeks, the horses, not properly shod, fell upon the slippery pavements, and received no mercy from their drivers ; and the sufferings of the improvident poor were terrible. The inhabitants asserted that a season of such intense and protracted cold had not been expe rienced for many years. The Seine froze quite over in December, on the night after the ceremony of the reception of Bonaparte s remains. It was feared that the period of that grand pageant might be chosen for some popular tumult ; as symptoms of disaffection towards the government, especially of exasperation against the English, had for some time been revealing themselves. During the day the Marsellois Hymn, the ancient signal of outbreak, had been heard hoarsely uplifted, with here and there cries, among the crowd, of &quot; a bas les traitres&quot; Some of us, nurtured in a peaceful land, were considerably alarmed, not so much

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