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would willingly give up the plan of going that way if his aunt thought best. But he suggested in reply to his aunt's objections, that in the first place its being far was no difficulty, but rather an advantage, provided the route was a pleasant one that as to the cold, the Channel Islands were famous for the mildness of the climate, and for the long Indian summer enjoyed there at the end of the season; and that although there were three voyages to be made, as his aunt said, two of them would be very short, and the third would not be any longer than that from Havre to Southampton, or from Dieppe to Newhaven.

Grimkie then brought a map, and pointed out to his aunt all the principal points on the route, and related to her substantially what he had told Florence and John, about the places of interest on the way. He also explained to her-what he had not spoken of to Florence and John-that his guide book said that Bayeux, where they would stop to see the tapestry, was renowned for the making of laces,-that the girls and women of the village could be seen at their cottage doors, in pleasant weather, at work upon the lace, with their cushions on a little table before them, and hundreds of bobbins, which they worked with their fingers in the most nimble manner; and that there were large establishments there, where

the laces could be bought fresh from the maker's hands.

How far this story of the lace-makers tended to lead Mrs. Morelle to come to a conclusion in favor of this route, I cannot say; though the ladies being fond of laces it is very natural that they should like to visit the places where they are made. At any rate she decided at last to yield to the children's wishes, and a few days afterward the party repaired to the station of St. Lazare, from which the grand trunk of the western system of railways leaves Paris, and commenced their journey.

The day was fine and the party had a delightful ride. There passed in review before them as they were trundled rapidly along the road, a succession of smooth plains or hill sides, divided into patches of different colored vegetation, like the beds of a garden, with long rows of trees, like those of an avenue, marking the important boundaries; and smiling valleys, with picturesque little villages nestled in them, on the banks of pretty rivers; and ancient chateaux, with their pointed roofs rising from the midst of masses of autumnal foliage; and orchards, with rosy apples hanging full upon the trees, or lying in golden heaps beneath them, ready to be gathered; and groups of male and female peasants at work in

the fields and gardens gathering in the last remains of the harvest. These and many other similar scenes presented themselves continually to view, from the windows of the railway carriage, as the train was borne along, and drew from the children innumerable exclamations of surprise and delight

The train stopped at Mantes, where William the Conqueror was hurt by the starting of his horse from stepping in the fire, but none of the company thought it best to leave the train in order to visit the town. So they saw nothing but the station. While the train remained at the station, however, they fell into conversation on the subject of the accident, and John said he did not see how a man could be hurt by a saddle, for the front part of it was smooth and round, besides being stuffed with wadding, so that it could not hurt any body.

"Perhaps the saddles were made differently in those days," said his mother.

"I wish I knew whether they were or not," said John.

"I will tell you what we will do," said Grimkie. "We will look at the pictures of the horses in the Bayeux tapestry, and there we can see how the saddles were made in those old. times."

"Ah, yes!" said John, "that will be an excellent way."

"I have read that people have learned a great deal about the ancient manners and customs, and the fashions of dress and of armor, from the Bayeux tapestry," said Mrs. Morelle.

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At any rate," said John, "we can see if there is any thing sticking up in front of the saddles."

At length the train arrived at the town of Caen, which the French pronounce as if they began to say Cong, and stopped short in the middle of the sound. They remained at Caen two or three days, and rambled about the town a great deal, finding many quaint and curious things, which amused and interested them all very much. In the centre of the town, surrounded by open spaces which were used as markets, was an ancient and venerable church of vast size, and of a very complicated form. The immense windows which were seen here and there, the arches, the grotesque corbels, the towers, the spires, the flying buttresses, the antique statues standing sentry in niches made for them in the walls, the sculptured cornices, all darkened in color and softened in tone by the lapse of time, and the sound of the bells, some of which were exceedingly loud, and emitted an

extremely solemn sound, conspired to give to the whole pile an air, which filled the children with awe as they gazed upon it across the marketplace, from the windows of their hotel.

The children saw the two abbeys also, one on the north and the other on the south side of the town. Matilda's abbey was situated on a hill, and the spires and towers which arose from the central portion of it, and the long ranges of building around, which now form the hospital, gave it quite a majestic appearance.

William's abbey was in another direction, and it was so near the town, that on one side the walls and towers of the church rose from among the narrow streets of shops, and of ancient looking dwellings. On the other side, the convent buildings and the grounds extended out over a beautiful plain, which presented a charming series of gardens and meadows, and other scenes of rural beauty to the eye. The precincts of the abbey were bordered here by a lofty wall, where in one place was a great gateway, over which was an inscription in French, in big letters, ENTRANCE TO THE IMPERIAL LYCEUM. The gate was open, and some boys in the uniform of scholars were going in.

There was a porter's

lodge near the entrance, inside, and a porter, called in France, a concierge, to guard it.

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