ch of its importance; and in summer, the steam-boats are not
unfrequently delayed in their _voyage_ (if it may be so designated) for
lack of water. The prospect of the chateau, or palace, embosomed in
trees, and the park variegated with natural and artificial beauties,
with the adjoining village on a steep, shelving hill--is unusually
picturesque. On the present occasion, however, the principal attraction
was the fete, which reminded me more forcibly of John Bunyan's Vanity
Fair, than any other exhibition I had ever witnessed.

The entrance to this motley scene was by the principal gate, where the
carriages set down their company, and at a short distance along the bank
of the river, the steam-boat in like manner contributed its visiters. On
entering the park, I was first struck with a long row of boxes,
(somewhat in the style of those at Vauxhall) but on a raised bank, and
attached to a _restaurateur_. Here were tables for dinner, and as many
others were laid in the open air--with the usual _carte_ of 2 or 300
articles, and the economical elegancies of silver, napkins, and china,
and this, too, in style little inferior to Verey's in the Palais Royal.
Promenaders of the better description appeared in the mall, or principal
walk, and it being the last fete of the season, their attendance was
very numerous. The stalls and exhibitions were chiefly on the left side
of this walk; at the former was displayed an almost indescribable
variety of wares, which were the adjudged prizes in a lottery; but, from
the decisions which I witnessed, they resembled the _stationary_
capitals in an English scheme--the nominal Stock in trade of the
office-keepers. Many of these little gambling shops were superintended
by women, who proved themselves far from deficient in loquacious
inducements for adventurers; and by their dexterous settlement of the
chances, left little time for losers to reflect on their folly.
Provisions of various descriptions were to be purchased at every turn,
and among their _marchands_, it was not incurious, to see some humble
professors of gastronomy over smoking viands, fritters, and goffers or
indented wafers baked on cast-iron stoves _a la minute_--it must be
owned, unseasonable luxuries for a September day. The _spectacles_, or
shows, in noise and absurdity, exceeded the English trumpery of that
order; and to judge from the gaping crowds which they attracted, we are
not the only credulous nation in the world. Among