Rollo in Paris

rl

n the Asphaltum, in the Place Vendome, in front of the column, preparatory to an exercise of practice on their instrument, Mr. George came into the room. Mr. George took up a

you pronounce

ak the word, but spell

know," sa

, "that is the name of the

is hotel, uncle George?" asked

ar with every thing in this part of the city, and with the modes of life in this hotel. So I thought I would

if my father would not let me go now. Is there a roo

you go there. But to day I am going to see the Gard

o, "I should like

go, too?" s

eorge, "if your m

nd ask her. Only I wish it was a garden o

ge leading the way, they all went together down stairs, and got into a carriage which was waiting for them at the door. The carriage was a

ge, leaving the Place Vendome on the northern side, entered into a perfect m

f this street, the attention of the children was attracted by a very long and gloomy-looking building, which formed one side of the street for a considerable distance before them.

ne room in it where there are more than a hundred m

d see them,"

said Mr. Geor

ooking through, they saw a large court yard, with grass, and trees, and a fountain. They did not, however, go on into this court yard, but turned to the right to a very broad flight of steps which seemed to lead into the

h bookshelves and books. The rooms had windows only on one side; that is, on the side next the courtyard; and the doors which led from one room to the other were all near that side of the room. Thus three sides of each room were almost wholly unbroken, and they were all filled with bookshelves and books. The doors which led from one room to another were all in a range; so that standing

ibrary," s

of Paris, one of the largest libraries in the worl

uch a large library," said Rollo; "no

r reasons for seeing some particular book, which was published so long ago that it is not now to be found in co

self, walked on, and the children followed him. They passed from one apartment to another, amazed at the number of books. They were all neatly arranged on bookshelves, whi

e very smooth and glossy, being formed of narrow boards, of dark-colored wood, curiously inlaid, and highly polished. Rollo told Jennie that he believed he could slide on such floors as well as he could on ice, if he thought they would let him try. He knew very well, however, that i

, the central parts of the rooms that they were placed in, so as not to interfere with the use of the sides of the rooms for books. In one place was a collection of some of the oldest books that ever were printed, showing the style of typography that prevailed when the art of printing was first discovered. Mr. George took great interest in looking at these. Rollo and

h bookshelves and books. Long tables were extended up and down this hall, with a great number of gentlemen sitting at them, all engaged in silent study. Some were reading; some were writing; some were looking at books of maps or engravings. There were desks at various places up and down the room, with officers belonging to the library sitting at them, and several messengers, dressed in uniform, going to and fro bringing books. Mr. George explained to the children that there was another entra

assages, until he came to a room where a considerable number of people were sitting at tables, looking at books of engravings. The sides of this room, and of several others opening into it, were filled with bound volumes of prints and engravings, some plain and some colored, but very beautiful. Many of the volumes were very large; but however large they might be, it was very easy to turn over the leaves and see the pictures, fo

me here and look over some of these books; bu

ack to the carriage, and ordered t

which, though by no means so grand and magnificent a

smooth as a floor. The pavement was shaded with trees, which were planted at equal distances all over it; and under the trees there were seats, where va

front room, and it looked out upon the square. The children went to the window, and, while Mr. George w

himself. His complexion was dark, and his hair very black and glossy. He was very neatly and prettily dressed, though in a very peculiar style, his

o Jennie. "I have a great mind to go down and pl

ot be ready for nearly half an hour. We do not wish

nd came toward the hotel. He entered under the archway, and presently Rollo heard him coming up the

d was just then coming along the hall. He looked at Rollo with a smi

y one to play with

his head, but

hat Rollo said; but Rollo thought he meant th

ut his hands, with the wrists together and the palms open bet

end of the hall, while he sat down at the other, explaining his wishes also at the same time in words. The boy talked too, in reply to Rollo, accompanying what he said with signs and gestures. They got along thus together in

that it must be some other language than French that the boy was speaking. He was sorry for this; for he could understand short sentences in French pretty well, and could speak short sentences himself in reply. When, ho

gan to feel quite acquainted with each other. Rollo wished very muc

is you

g in reply; but it was a great deal too much to be his name. What he said was, when in

French; so he translated his q

Switzerland and Italy," said the boy,

ame, either," said Ro

d, in an eager voice and manner, as i

ants-uncle George, and Jennie, an

to roll the ball to him, saying something at the

, I suppose; but I know ho

nd beckoning, he induced the boy to get up too, and follow him. Rollo led the way i

cannot talk. Are you willing that I should inv

"though I don't see how

with his hand to denote going. By these gesticulations he conveyed the idea quite distinctly to his new acquaintance that they were all going to the Garden of Plants. He then finally pointed to the boy himself, and also to the carriage, and looked at him with an inquiring look, which he meant as an invitation to the boy to accompany them. The b

e with an expression of great a

that mean

sk his father or his moth

Rollo, "he has; th

tely into the hall to wai

nodding his head, and looking very much pleased; talking all the time, moreover, in a very voluble but perfectly unintelligible manner. A moment after he

id the man to Rollo, speaking in English, t

ir," sa

nvite Carlos t

ame was Carlos. He told me something very different fro

sh boy. He cannot understand a word of French or Eng

father, sir?"

man, "I am his fat

ssed on, leaving Roll

us go into uncle George's room, a

mmediately followed him. In fact, during all his subsequent intercourse with Carlos, Roll

he influence of a sort of instinctive feeling that good plain English, such as he took care to speak, could not fail to convey ideas to any boy that heard it. Under the influence of a similar feeling, Ca

und that the party were going to the Garden of Plants, he wished to go too. There was scarcely ro

gh the Boulevards, close by here; and Carlos and I wil

l," said

me," said Rollo; "we are

e, or for what; nor did he care. He was ready to assent to any thing. So he and Rollo, leaving the rest of