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Its eighty-six Departments, made 1789, by the division of the thirty-three provinces which existed before, take names from their local position with respect to some river, mountain, &c., and with their chief towns, are as follows:

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Each Department is placed under a préfect, appointed by the state, and is divided into three t› six arrondissements or Sous-Préfectures; these are parted (seven on the average) into cantons (2,834 in all) under juges de paix, and these again (six to fifteen each) into Communes, each having a maire, a parish priest or curé, and his subordinate or vicaire. There are 40,430 priests in the 36,835 communes, besides 565 monasteries, for monks, and 3,400 nunneries. Before the revolution of 1848, each arrondissement had an electoral college comprising all persons paying 200 francs direct taxes, which returned deputies to the Chambre; under the present system, the Legislative corps are elected by direct universal suffrage. Fach arrondisse

ment has a tribunale de première instance (or quarter sessions' courts); and the departments are combined so as to make twenty-seven cours impériales (or assize courts), twenty-one military goverments, and eighty-one dioceses, fifteen of which are archbishoprics.

About 47,000 primary Schools are established in the communes, superior schools or colleges in the towns, normal schools and university faculties, in the chief cities. Chambers of commerce exist at the ports and manufacturing towns; public libraries in most large places. There are 183 fortified places of war, in four classes.

Some of the best Cathedrals are, Chartres, Bourges, Strasbourg, Rheims, Troyes, Amiens, Abbeville, Beauvais, Metz, Rouen, Bayeaux, Coutances. The Romanesque style of the earlier churches corresponds to the round-arched Norman in England; Flamboyant, to the florid Gothic (with wavy, flame-like tracery); and Renaissance, to the Tudor and later styles.

The Soil of France is very fruitful, and best cultivated on the borders of Belgium; from thence to the south the system gets worse. Fields are unenclosed; farmers live near the villages, away from their farms. Most of them are mortgaged, and grow smaller and smaller by the law of equal shares. Corn is not drilled in, so that a fine crop of weeds springs up. Women reap, and the produce is threshed in the open air. Manures are used, but no more cattle are kept than are actually wanted. The best pasture is in Normandy and the west, where good breeds of cattle and sheep are seen.

About three acres in seven are arable, and half as much waste. Of 136 millions of acres there are about 20 millions of forest, 25 of pasture and meadow, and 5 of vineyards.

Wheat, rye, oats, potatoes, are the chief crops, the return being one-third less than in England; beet-root is grown for sugar, the annual production of which is 46,000 tons; French beans and other vegetables are raised in profusion; maize for food; flax, hemp, tobacco, and a few hops, with rape and cole seed. Tobacco and salt are government monopolies.

Cider, perry, and a little poor wine are made in the north, down to a line running east-northeast and west-south-west through Paris. Vineyards are common, south of this; and from a second line, through Rochelle and Dijon, the maize or Indian corn begins. From a third line, east and west through Lyons, the olive and mulberry flourish; and the orange, lemon, cactus, and other semi-tropical plants grow on parts of the Mediterranean coast.

The Vine which thrives to a greater or less degree in seventy-six departments, yields annually 924 million gallons of wine, of which one-sixth is used for brandy (eau-de-vie) from the Charente, &c., and one-tenth is exported. Champagne, Burgundy, Bordeaux (claret), Roussillon, Dauphiné, Lyonnais, &c., are the best sorts. Stony soils are the most suitable for its growth. Bercy is the central market for wine, and Béziers for brandy.

The Forests, though extensive, are not too great for the vast consumption of charcoal for fuel. Lorraine, Burgundy, Ile de France, Orléanais, Champagne, Berri, Vivarais, Alsace, Dauphiné, are the provinces most abundant in wood. About one-fifth belongs to the state. Elm is the most common timber. Other timbers are the oak, lime, maple, and various ornamental woods; pine, (in the Landes, Vosges, &c.), cork tree (Pyrenées); the chesnut, for food; walnut, for oil; mulberry, for the silk worm (in the Drôme, Ardèche, &c.)

Coal is found or traced, in thirty-three departments, but worked only round Valenciennes, St. Etienne, Angers, &c., so that two-thirds of the annual consumption (4,150,000 tons ?) is imported. New mines have lately been opened round Albi, Decazeville, Alais, &c., for which railway communication is now provided. Iron is plentiful, and forged at 4,400 furnaces.

Copper is worked near Lyons. Brick and porcelain clay, chalk, gypsum, limestone (in most of the mountains), marble, granite (in Brittany, &c.), manganese, antimony, lead and silver, rock, salt, and slate, are all abundant.

Of eight hundred mineral springs counted, there are 50 or 60 principal Spas, in charge of medical inspectors, at Aix, Ax, Bagnères-de-Bigorre, Bagnères-de-Luchon, Bourbonne-les-Bains, Bourbon-Lancy, Cauterets, Chaudes-Aigues, Clermont-Ferrand, Dax, Eaux-Bonnes, EauxChaudes, Enghien, Luxeuil, Luz, Mont-Dore-les-Bains, Néris-les-Bains, Niederbronn, Passy, Plombières, Pierrefonds, Rennes-les-Bains, St. Amand, St. Laurent-les-Bains, St. Sauveur, Ussat, Vezelay, Vic-sur-Cère, Vichy, &c. They are annually used by 50,000 persons, one-half being strangers.

Linen, lace, cotton (at Rouen, Mulhouse, &c.), broad cloths, woollens, carpets, &c., are made in the north; silk, in the south, round Lyons, &c. About 2 million lbs. of raw silk are imported. Beavers and flamingoes still breed in the Rhone: the bear, wolf, wild boar, chamois, otter, with the ortolan, becafico, gecko, salamander, are also found in the south of France, where the musquito bites. Sardines or pilchards are caught on the shores of Brittany; tunny and anchovy, in the Mediterranean.

Perhaps the most striking parts of France for scenery, are Normandy, the Seine, the Lower Loire, Brittany, the Upper Garonne and Pyrenees, Auvergne and its volcanoes, in the Upper Lcire, the Cevennes Mountains, the Rhône below Lyons, the Dauphiné Alps, the Vosges mountains.

We may add a few notices of its past History. In Cæsar's time it was styled Gallia or Gaul, including the Belgae, to the north and north-east; Celts, in the west, middle, and south; the Aquitani, in the south-west; with some Greek colonies round Marseilles. Fine remains of Roman civilization still exist at Nismes, Orange, &c., in the south, and even as far north as Lillebonne. It was afterwards divided into four, and then seventeen, provinces, by the emperors. Later still, it was occupied by the roving nations from central Europe, as the Visigoths and Ostrogoths, in the south; the Burgundians, on the Rhine; and the Franks (4th century), on the Lower Rhine, who were descended from Meroveus, and, under Clovis (481511) the Merovingian, obtained so much ascendancy as to give this country the name of France.

Upon the death of Clovis his four sons shared his power and dominions, which were again united under the survivor, Clotaire. After several kings, and many divisions, during which parts of it took the names of Austrasia, (east and north-east), including the "kingdoms" of Metz and Orleans; Neustria (north-west), including the "kingdoms" of Soissons and Paris, where many Armorican Britons, &c., driven out of England, had settled; Aquitaine (south and west); and Bourgogne (east and south-east); it was re-united and extended under the vigorous sway of Charlemagne (768-814), son of Pepin, and head of the Carlovingian race, which expired with Louis V.

His successor was Hugues Capet, 987, from whom the descent is tolerably regular, though the kingly power was weak for several reigns. A succession of fourteen kings of this house (including Philippe Auguste and Louis IX., or St. Louis), ended in the direct line with Charles IV., who was succeeded, 1328, by Philippe VI. of Valois. Six kings of this branch (among whom are Charles V., called le Sage, who, however, lost Crécy and Poitiers; Charles VII. in whose time the English lost nearly all they had gained in France; and the crafty

Louis XI.) ended with Charles VIII. Louis XII. of Valois-Orléans comes next, 1498. After him, Francis 1. (1515) of Valvis-Angouleme and four princes of the same stock, including Charles IX., the author of the Bartholomew massacre. Henry IV., or Henri Quatre, of Valois-Bourbon, ascended the throne, 1589, and was succeeded by Louis XIII., and other Bourbons, down to the Revolution, and the execution of Louis XVI in 1793.

Napoleon became emperor, 1804. Louis XVIII. was restored, 1814 (the child of his murdered brother had the nominal title of Lou's XVII.), and, except the "Hundred Days," reigned till 1825. His brother, Charles X., was driven from the throne, 1830, when Louis Philippe of Orléans succeeded, and reigned till 1818, when the Third Revolution and Second Republic was effected, which terminated with the Coup d'état of 2nd December, 1852, and the restoration of the Empire, under Napoleon III. (son of Napoleon's second brother, Louis). The direct survivor of Louis Philippe is his grandson. the Count de Paris; and of the Bourbons, Charles X.'s grandson, the Count de Chambord, or Henry V., as his partisans style him.

Population of France, in 1856, 36,039,364 Block's Statistique de la France, tʊme 1, p. 34), of which 20 millions are agriculturists, and only 2 millions manufacturers; 8 millions are artizans; and the employés exceed half-a-million The exports valued at 71 millions sterling, and the imports at 59 millions. Among the latter were 160 million lbs. of cotton, 72 million bs. of wool, 4 million tons of coal, 33,700 tons of iron.

III.

GUIDE TO PARIS.

PARIS, the capital of France, ..nd perhaps the finest city in Europe, is ou the Seine, 143 miles from Havre, 236 from Calais, and about 360 from London, from which it may be reached in eleven or twelve hours It lies in an oval, 15 miles round, on both sides of the river, that part on the north side being the largest; whilst the oldest part is on the Iles de la Cité and St. Louis in the river, or in the neighbourhood of these islands. Within the Barrières it contains 1,825,274 souls, 50,000 houses, 1,350 streets, 183 covered avenues, 30 boulevards, 12 parishes or arrondissements, 40 churches, 27 theatres, 50 casernes or barracks, and 90 public establishments. Thirty-seven communes beyond the Barrières compose the Banlieue, or environs, including Neuilly, Belleville, Batignolles, and other well-known spots. Both banks of the Seine (a mere canal in comparison with the Thames) are lined with 33 broad Quays, and large buildings, and joined by 27 bridges. The houses are so numbered that you can tell how near you are to the river (which runs nearly east and west), whether you are going from or towards it; the streets parallel to the river being painted in black letters, with the numbers down the stream (or west), and the streets perpendicular to it in white letters, with the numbers from the stream: the odd numbers are on one side of the street, and the even on the

other.

The principal objects are the Champs Elysées, Tuileries, Palais Royal, Madeleine, Hôtel de Ville, Portes St. Denis and St. Martin, July Column, and Père la Chaise, on the north side; the

Hôtel des Invalides, Luxembourg, Panthéon, and Jardin des Plantes, on the south side; the Pont Neuf and Nôtre Dame, in the centre. Among the most lively streets and thoroughfares are Rues de Rivoli, St. Honoré, Vivienne, Richelieu, Neuve-des-Petits-Champs, the Boulevards (which thread the outskirts or Faubourgs), the Quays, &c. The unrivalled Passages, or Arcades, are also very gay, viz., the Passages des Panorama, de l'Opera, du Saumon, Jouffroy, Vivienne, Colbert, Choiseul, Vero-Dodat, Delorme, &c. Here all the knick-knacks, or articles de Paris, are sold. A circle of fortresses, 26 miles round, commands every point near the city. It was completed in 1846, at a total cost of 5 millions, sterling; and has given origin to a good French pun, "Le mur murant Paris rent Paris mur murant."

On passing the Barrière, the baggage is examined. Porters, called commissionnaires, ply at every station or coach-office, who will convey the traveller to any of the Hotels for franc, or 1 franc, with luggage.

British Embassy and Consulate.-39, Rue de Faubourg St. Honoré. Hours for passports, eleven to two.

Hotels.-There are a great many Hotels in Paris, some magnificent in appearance, but dear and uncomfortable: others cheap but questionable. The following are carefully selected as deserving our recommendation:

The Grand Hotel and Hotel du Louvre, situate in the Boulevard des Capucines, and in the Place du Palais Royal.

Hotel des Deux Mondes et d'Angleterre, 8, Rue d'Antin, first rate, cannot be too highly recommended for its comfort, cleanliness, and charges.

Splendide Hotel, Place de l'Opera, Rue de la Paix and Avenue Napoleon; magnificent establishment, with all the apartments in front.

St. James's Hotel, 211, Rue Saint Honoré; excellent. The Hotel Bergere, Rue Bergere, belong to the same proprietor. Grand Hotel Mirabeau, 8, Rue de la Paix, an excellent house, in the finest part of Paris; good Table d'Hôte at 5 fr. Hotel Meurice, 223, Rue de Rivoli; fine situation; conducted by H. Scheurich.

Hotel Bedford, 17 and 19, Rue de l'Arcade, near the Madeleine, excellent in every respect.

Hotel de la Place du Palais Royal, 170, Rue de Rivoli ; comfort, good situation, and moderate charges.

Hotel des Etrangers, 3, Rue Vivienne, good situation and comfortable. N. Lepany, new Proprietor.

Hotel Buckingham, 32, Rue Pasquier (ex Rue de la Madeleine). The proprietor speaks English.

Grand Hotel du Parlement, Boulevard de la Madeleine, and 18 Place de la Madeleine; well situated, comfort, moderte charges.

Hotel de Lille et d'Albion, 223, Rue St. Honoré, a wellconduc'ed good house.

Hotel de Rivoli, 202, Rue de Rivoli, kept by L. Provost; very good, opposite the Tuileries; charges moderate.

Grand Hotel de Normandie, 256, Rue St. Honoré, good and moderate.

Hotel de Calais, 5, Rue Neuve des Capucines, a comfortable and reasonable house.

London and New York Hotel, conveniently situated, near the Madeleine and Champs Elysées.

Hotel Folkestone, 9, Rue Castellane, very comfortable, and charges moderate.

Hotel Vouillemont, 15, Rue Boissy d'Anglas, near the Madeleine, in a good situation; good and quiet.

Hotel de la Grand Bretagne, 14, Rue Caumartin, very quiet, recommended.

Hotel du Chemin de fer du Nord, Place du Chemin de fer du Nord; very good hotel for families and gentlemen.

Hotel du Prince Albert, 5, Rue St. Hyacinthe, St. Honoré, near the Tuileries; recommended.

Hotel St. Petersburg, 35, Rue Caumartin, near the Madeleine and the new Opera. Arrangements by the day, everything included: 10 fr. and upwards.

Hotel des Etats Unis, 16, Rue d'Antin.-F. Motte, proprietor.

Grand Hotel de la Havane, 44, Rue de Trevise, kept by Misses C. and L. Abry.

Hotel Navarin, 8, Rue de Navarin, very comfortable and quiet. Table d'Hôte and Restaurant.

Hotel de Londres, 8, Rue St Hyacinthe, St. Honoré, near the Palais Royal and the Tuileries.

Grand Hotel de l'Univers, 28, Rue de Chalons, opposite the Railway Station of Lyons.

Hotel du Congres et du Colysée, 28, Rue du Colysée, quiet, comfortable, and clean.

Hotel du Prince Regent, 10, Rue St. Hyacinthe, St. Honoré; good accommodation, moderate prices.

Maison de Famille.-Mansion, 26, Avenue de Friedland, kept by Mrs. Taylor.

Hotel Bruxelles, 33, Rue du Mail, conveniently situated; moderate charges.

Hotel de Belgique et de Hollande, close to the principal Boulevards.

Muller's Royal British and American Hotel, 39, Rue Pasquier, close to the Havre and Dieppe Stations.

English Family Boarding-House, 3, Cité Retiro. Entrance, Rue Boissy d'Anglas, and 30, Faubourg St Honoré. Grand Hotel Jules Cesar, Avenue Lacuée, and 20, Rue de Lyon. Kept by Mr. Callais. Moderate charges.

Hotel de Dunkerque et de Folkestone, 32, Rue Lafitte, overlooking the Boulevard des Italiens.-Mrs. Dorff, proprietor. Grand Hotel de la Louisiane, 35, Rue du Colisée, near the Colisée and the Boulevards, recommended.

Hotel Stehr, 74, Boulevard Magenta; very good English Establishment; very moderate charges.

Hotel Meyerbeer, situated at the round point of the Champs Elysées. Entrance 2, Rue Montaigne.

Grand Hotel de Rome, 1, Rue de Rome, close to the Madeleine, the Cuamps Elysées, and the Boulevards. Hotel du Palais (Family Hotel), 28, Avenue cours la Reine.

Hotel de Paris and Albion, 41, Rue Caumartin. Kept by Mr. Bellé, new proprietor.

Hotel Liverpool, 11, Rue Castiglione. Well situated between the Tuileries Gardens and the Rue de la Paix. Diner Europeen, formerly Palais Royal; now 14, Boulevard des Italiens. Entrance. Rue Lepeletier, 2. Hotel Scribe (Private Hotel), Rue Scribe, 1.

Hotel de France et de Bath, an excellent hotel in a good situation.

Hotel Violet, Passage Violet, very quiet; recommended. Hotel Brighton, 218, Rue de Rivoli; a good Hotel, clean and quiet. Charges moderate.

Hotel de York.-An exceedingly clean House, in a fine situation.

Grand Hotel de Malte, Rue de Richelieu; very central, comfortable, and quiet. Terms moderate.

Hotel du Nouvel Opera, 48, Rue Chausée d'Antin, near the New Opera, the Boulevard des Italiens and the Madeleine. Grand Hotel de la Bourse et des Ambassadeurs, 17, Rue Notre Dame des Victoires. Arrangements per week at moderate terms.

Hotel Bergeron, 11, Rue du 29 Juiellet, opposite the
Tuileries, near the Place Vendôme. Moderate charges.
Family Hotel, 6, Rue Castiglione, near the Tuileries Gardens.
The Educational Institution for Young Ladies
Jaques, is recommended with great confidence.

5

of Madame Cherrier, 60, Faubourg St.

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