Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-02-16

fer Paris, via. Folkestone and Boulogne, and ar
rived at P at l-2P NJ. Distance, 25S miles;
fare, LIST class, 81 l2 ID class, 81 l-2. (The
distance is nearly the same as between Boston and
New York, where the LIST class fare is S5.0o.) This
is the preferable route for strangers as the jour
ney is usually performed by daylight.
The weather being clear and fine, we had most
delightful and interesting journey. The country
between London and Folkestone, was beautifully
green; the cultivation appearing to be of the
highest order. The season has been very cold and
backward; but in many fields they were moving
stout crop of grass, and at the same time we
saw good many apple trees in full blossoms
sight we never witnessedSat home; but here, the
humid atmosphere, and cloudy sun, suits the
growth of trees better than it does that of fruit
We could see numerous large orchards of apple
trees, on both sides of the road but of other fruit
trees not as many think as is often to be seen
in New England. But intend to say more of
fruit trees hereafter.
The passage in the steamer across the Channel
(abOut thirty miles), was very pleasant. The sea
being smooth, not one of the numerous passen-
gers was sea sick; a very unusual circumstance,
as many can cross the Atlantic with impunity,
who will cascade very freely, and beyond their
control, while making the short passage of either
st. Georges, or the British Channel.
1t was our landing at Boulogne, that it
seemed as if we really in a foreign country.
The strange customs of many of the people, and
the incessant jabberng of those around US in for
eign language, together with the numerous sol
ders, and other officials, to be sen on sl sides,
ma raf 1od id
ed up from the steamer. short distance, to the
Custom House, through files of soldiers, where
our passports and baggage were examined =
and many of the passengers, both male and fe-
male, had even their pockets and dresses search
ed piece of saucy impertinence that ought not
to be tolerated-but there is no escape from it,
surrounded as you are by armed soldiers-submit
to it you must We passed the oldeal safely,
without having other hands than our own thrust
into our pockets. As blanket shawl had
good shaking out, to see if it had anything con-
traband in it. Daguerreotypes are among the ar
ticles prohibited, without paying roundly for
them; and having two or three in my pocket, 1
felt rather Streaked, as the boys say, when saw
other passengers emptying their pockets. How
ever, while As shawl was being shook, 1 slip
| ped along unobserved, and got off safely We
were soon after in the cars, on our way to Paris
The weather was all that we could desire, and the
| cars being quite open, we had charming ride,
! and of course were eager lockers, on all around
! u.s..
| Although we have, as yet, seen but small
| portion Of France, the appearance of it. so far,
has very far exceeded our expectations. The road,
/
tivated country; altogether more SO than we ever
see at home. As far the eye could reach, on
both sides, were fields of grass and wheat, as lux
uriant any / ever before looked upon. The
fields were exceedingly neat and tidy; entirely
free of stones and weeds The crops generally be-
ing in long, narrow strips, and the land level, or
eiigntly UuuuietnsS, r'isis issasa II,
| sight, made it all look like vast carpet Great
numbers of laborers were in the field, making
hay. &C., and we judged that full three-fou of
them were females Nearly all the labor appear
| ed to be done by hand no oxen, and very few
farm horses, are to be seen; and horse carts are
the vehicles universally used. Numerous fields of
peoples skirted the road, and being in full bloom,
had very gorgeous appearance; as did also the
extensive clover fields. The clover cultivated
here has stalk much larger, and the head full
twice the size, of, ours. The large blossom being
OF dark red color, gave the fields singularly
pretty appearance. 1t is called "Germ an Clover
know nothing of its qualities All the crops
here, even wheat, appear to be grown in drills
few inchesapart.
No dwelling houses, or barns, are to be seen
scattered here and there in the country, as with
us-all being clustered together in villages. and
all are built of stone, with red tile roofs Great
numbers of sheep and cattle were feeding in the
pastures, attended by shepherds, with their dogs.
And it was interesting to observe the perfect
training of the dogs. If stray sheep got beyond
the prescribed limits, the dog was instantly at its
heels, driving it quickly back to its former place
Some of the keepers were women, all of whom
had their knitting work.
The railway on which we travelled up to Paris.
to-day, is admirably constructed, and in perfect
order. The sides of the banks and cuts are
smoothly erased over; and all the bridges, wheth-
er long or short are Substantially built of hewn
lime stone. The crossings grade with the
travelled road are very few, being avoided if posi-
be; but wherever they do occur, at every cross
ing, ho'oeUer remote it may be- gate keeper is
otolAO'RSu, Win mana, ready
to warn the traveller of the approaching train. A
small, neat stone house is built near each cross
ing, for the residence of the gate keeper. OF the
cars, management of the trains, &C., 1 will speak
in future letter, when l have seen more of
them.
Upon our arrival in Paris, those of the passen-
gers who had any baggage were locked up in
large room, until the baggage was taken out of
the cars, and arranged on long tables in an ada.
cent room. This done, we were called to point out
all our baggage to one of the numerous officials
present; and each trunk, bag, and parcel, was
then opened, and the contents examined in search
of contrabond articles. After vexatious delay
Of an hour, we were permitted to depart, and soon
after, reached our lodgings the Hotel de Lille ct
d'Albion, Rue st. Honore--an excellent house by
the way.
June Sth to l5th.--The weather is lovely, and
we have improved it in looking about here and
there. Paris is indeed a beautiful city, and we
are enraptured with it. All the streets are so
nice and clean, being swept, and the dirt carried
of, early every morning; contrasting, in that re-
spect greatly, with some of our American cities
Asin London, no cross-walks are seen-eyery part
of the street being clean, none are necessary
The streets are about the same width as ours, but
the sidewalks are frequently narrower. They are
generally paved with blocks Of stone, not SQUARE
like onrs, but about half the width thus having
more spaces or seams, and thereby preventing the
r IL.