Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1853-04-30
SKETCHES OF FRENCH SCENERY, &C.
BY AN ENGLISH PEDESTRIAN. Concluded.

| Another delicious morning, after a sleeping
rain during the night found afoot betmes perfectly
refreshed, and fit for action No top that eyer
sumber under the indefahgable Aagellaton could
have competed with in the way made up for the bro
ken night at Saint Roman. had got into good quar-
ters with every cvlity and attention. at Lebonne and
came out quite new man." The little town is very
beautifully situated and full OF antiquities. Roman
amphheatre of the largest Size showing the seats
for spectators, with all its original extent is preserved
most carefully by the authorities Nearly opposite
the ruins of the chateau dHarcour from whence the
present English family Of that name originally sprung
they being branch of the old Norman tree and proud
may they well be Of the beauties in which its root
planted.
The view from the keep of the CASTLE round tower of
strength and deeply moated is unrivalled in
its peculiar aspect 1t is placed in complete circle of
wooded hills green swelling, and harmonious to degree
without rugged feature. The first breath Of autumn
had touched the luxuriant foliage with gentle mellow
tint, and greatly increased its beauty.
Immediately below the chateau is the town Of Lille
bonnie with its pretty church, built Of the white stone of
the neghborhood with the Roman amphitheatre in the
midst The only opening to this hilly basin is to the
south, where verdant fiat of meadows, you
the broad and placid Seine gstenng in the sum- the
IRENE view being completed by the high and distant hills
that meet the waters the other shore. There vii
las lanes and gardens, with fields of various produce
lying at feet The beauties Of this splendid picture
must indeed be seen to be understood.
Whilst staying Havre have thousands of Eng
sh hurrying like tornadoto Paris by the quickest pos
sibe routeif in the dark much the better-leaying
the road have travelled so far unsought unseen it
is impossible to conceive worthy Of at least weeks
undivided relish Those who take the Calais road and
many never change it, though steered entirely by their
own have notion OF the transcendant beau
ties of the route they avoid for the most dreary unnte
resting in the whole world simply that they may be
few hours sooner in the crowd
The road Zone after McAdams own heart in finish and
materially ascends from Llebonne and conducts you
through the vast highly cultivated undulang park
IN village passed through yesterday but probably
picturesque in its features and may well be called with
out vanity, La Belle" Youpass few cottages the
roadside till you met by glimpse of the Seine again.
with large tract of forest stretching to the north The
road then debouches upon Caudebec with view Of which
1t is in vain to attempt description.
To the left the hills covered with foliage forming
SYLVAN unduating half circle To the right five hun
bred feet below the road is the river flowing its
serpentlne, tranquil exquisite proportions Kissing its
very margin is vast plain of rich swart, delightfully."-
green and ntersected by and cunps of willow oak
and poplar, planted in inmitabe grace Far beyond is
the deeplywooded horizon joining the slowly driving
Clouds without sound to disturb the matchless scene
hungry as was sat devouring the glorious prospect
1t was indeed in ecstacy gazed for full hour de-
scended to the little town. through hanging wood the
hrst object meeting my eye being the richly ornamented
church and spre, the most elaborate in its finish, be-
heve, OF any in the country 1t is another relic of our
handwork, when in possession of it, and certainyis no
disgrace to our architectural abilities at that any other
period entered the beautiful porch even before look
ing for quarters and usual in France greatly
carved font in black oak and wretched attempt at
sculpture, t would be impossible for to describe
there Is nothing but the accustomed prints and artificial
flowers forgetting the taow candles The exterior
magnificent saving yillanous Insignificant spire,
shabby mnaret crooked and patched, though fancy
modern innovation, surmounted by gilt weathercock
This abomination about the shape but without the beau
OF large parsnip) is reared could almost fancy,
foil near the most superb turreted spre beheld
1t in the shape of elongated crown terminating in
pommel, and full of sharp pointed workmanship.
now bethought of the creature comforts that even
artificial flowers carved fonts and beautiful scenery
never yet satisfactorily account for found the Age
dor all that could be desired in smelts and outlets with
bedroom facing the Seine all placed, most peasngy
the association, IN the I" Place de P0rme.
Tuesday Aorning-The hills are covered with a grey
misty vel this morning, denotng rain. The river has
put on irown since yesterdays its surface is in deep
shade in lieu Of the gtternQ face il wore so lately The
landscape is completely changed but is equally interest
ing stun, as n lesson in Natures physiognomy.
This is my fourth day ga pied" and find myself
fresher than when started intend crossing the Seine
and looking at the opposite bank country after have
breakfasted at the "Aigle dor"
The rain IS now falling in regular soaking shower
without any appearance Of abatement shall therefore
probably remain here quietly and await the coming day.
Caudebec is little quaint old fashioned place sur
rounded by hills facing the beautiful Seine with clear
stream running through the midst of it. The church is
the main object Of attraction, and there shall 90 to rum
nate and make my observations The sculpture alluded
to yesterday comprises half dozen figures larger than
life surrounding the body of the Saviour after he is taken
SarcOphapuS
in which he islyng The limbs Of all the figures are put
on without the least regard anatomical rules while
there truly comical expression in feature and attitude
that leaves any thing but serious impression on the be-
holder They are evidently Monsieurs Mesdames and
Mademoselles in stone, in earnest Conversation with man
ners ready for cafe promenade Of the present day
One old gentleman, with beard holding his helmet
gracefully in his hand is bowling and explaining some
thing to lady, adorned in becoming cap with intense
politeness.
About noon found had exhausted Caude-
Dec or rather drained its small cup to the dregs" saw
running down every gutter to the Seine therefore
started in the rain in preference gazing it dropping
on the few longesegged fowls that we're stand
ing before the window, victims to hydropathy
The road, with its sound bottom was good travelling
having the river the right and the wooded dripping
hills the other hand so hoisted nv umbrella and
made comparatively fair weather Of it. You leave the
Rouen road opposite the chateau and are ered over the
Seine for couple Of sous to the Hotel de la Place Vic
toire, If you will. / gladly entered mine hosts vcto-
rious abode changed my shoes and stockings and
quickly at work, blowing up the fire. instead Of the
walters in little salon close to the water whilst Ma
dame preparing my dinner. crossed the terrace
before the chateau Of " La Mailleraye, walked TO
the inn and should think it is quite fifteen hundred feet
IN length with stone bausrade facing the gardens and
windows.
This with the trees like hedge least fifty feet
high with avenues at intervals all the outside pecu
arities Of this famous place Whether they worthy
The name Of beauties is matter Of TASTE and think,
question
Wednesdoy-The window my lodging room in the lit
lie inn Of La Maieraye met the first rays Of the
hey streamed the wooded horizon and fair river
nediately below, giving the welcome intelligence Of
brilliant morning after the sleeping rain Of the preceding
evening quickly prepared myself for the chateau and
walk to Jumiege The avenues ut La Mailleraye, on n
nearer approach are certainly fine can pos
sby be, being of ample length and width with nm alt
"A nnIfa n drp1f fact - Il