Fair Italy, the Riviera and Monte Carlo

nation of luggage-Paris-Dining à la carte versus table d'h?te-No?l-An Officer's Funeral-Lyons-Scenery of the Rhone-Const

ustify his so doing. To exchange the damp and fog that too frequently form the staple of the weather about the festive time of Christmas and the opening of the new year, for the bright clear skies and sunny days of the so

on for a trip of a month or so, but also the leisure time at our disposal

could, it really mattered little whither we steered our course, provided it was to climes where fogs are known to the natives

eading out the map showing various continental lines of railway, proceeded to study th

thence through Andalusia and Granada, and home by Valencia, Malaga, and Barcelona? Visions of Don Quixote

wife, slowly. "I fear Spanish hotels-posadas, d

omfortable as possible, we will leave Spain till posadas are things of the past. But what do you say to Italy? Beautiful climate, charming scenery,

ime-tables, lists of fares, calculate the costs of first and second class, and plan our route. The boo

December, 1882,

ideas of f

tickets, we put up at the Charing Cross Hotel for the night

stmas, were quickly dispelled the next morning, for as we sped away by the 7.40 train for Dover the weather assumed its most dismal aspe

tion, and there was something of a sea to frighten the timorous. Being pretty fair sailors, however, and by the exercise of a little

sight of the shore. It gladdens the hearts of the sickly ones, and soon their childlike helplessness disappears; hope and life return, sending the warm blood once more to the pallid cheek, and lighting the languid ey

ional strength and glory. It has made her sons daring and hardy, industrious, prosperous, and happy. It has enabled her to people more than half the world with the Anglo-Saxon race, and has extended her empire and influence beyond the setting sun. It has made her the arbiter of the world, her sword

ease that mutual interest-might even make sulky France more friendly towards us, and probably prove of benefit both commercially and socially; but only so long as the insular power of England is maintained. Although our army and navy are hardly

nnel, there would in all probability be a train or two in it when a surprise was intended, and what commander would blow up or destroy it under such circumstances? I fear the tunnel would prove a grand place for ruffians; and what hideous depreda

eady waiting to carry us onward, but

of the world, such as Panama, for instance. Some day it may possibly be able to digest the passenger traffic from England to the continent, but at present much time is lost there f

onspicuous objects of the landscape. Then for miles we travel along through a gloomy drizzling rain, the land looking most forlornly desolate. The arrival at Amiens, however, cheers us a littl

able, for when the trains are fast there are advantages i

imposing, ruthlessly capsizes your careful and thoughtful stowage, whilst you angrily or impatiently watch your travelling sanctum pried into by dirty-handed, over-zealous officials. The one examinat

yance of my wife, who most unwillingly gave up her keys, and declared her opinion that "it was

s of voracious hotel touters ready to pounce upon not only "somebody's," but everybody's luggage, a

utions of economy! and now, in preference to the sumptuous table d'h?te, we decide to dine à la carte, which means a little table to yourself, where you may select what you wish to eat, have it at any hour you please, and pay for just what you order. This is not only less expensive, but far more quiet and comfortable after the fatigue of a journey, than the crowded and imposing table d'h?te, with its never-ceasing clatter and c

nch artiste. I think they have some very pretty sentiments about their "No?l." For instance, at early morn on Christmas Day, whilst still in the land of dreams,

r, quickly change from gay to grave. A general officer's funeral passed through the boulevards where we were standing, followed by a procession in which nearly every branch of the army was represented. The open hearse, with coffin, was covered with

morning left Paris by the 9.40 train for Marseilles. The long journey, occupying some fourteen or

on, it is extremely democratic, and only quite lately has been the scene of a kind of communistic outbreak. The neighbouring scenery is very striking and beautiful, in some places grand. We were reminded somewhat

of the many flat-bottomed steamers would be very enjoyable

ontories, historic and baronial castles, and picturesque chateaux. The turbule

wift Rhone cleave

ppear, as lover

mining depths

et no more, thou

very root of

d, but leavin

ers,-war within t

t appear, with its great forest-clad cliffs, and

y near Marseilles, at Avignon and Arles. Here we

pe-a change which would perhaps be less noticeable were the journey performed in a more leisurely manner. Thus we pass from the wheat-growing country to the land of the vine, and thence to that of the olive. And one cannot help being struck by th

this subject, it may be well to remark how exceedingly disgusting some of the retiring places are at these stations-at all events, to English men and women, who do not like being treated as cattle. At some places i

more important matter-that of lighting the carriages, even the first-class compartments bei