The New York herald., 1878-12-31

General honor. He spoke Of the sncient friendship
between Frrnce and America, which Frcnchnen on
every occasion were anxious to recognize ana ceie
brate. III response to y compliment TO the ladies
the Count said he extremely sorry tha.
prevented the presence OF Countess
Mr.. Douglas then alluded to the fact that many
English friends in Pau had honorcd him with their
presence, and he knew nothing would so much
crafty not only them hut all present an oppor-
tunity of drinking the health Of the Queen Of Eng
land. This sentiment was drunk with cheers. The
gentlemen then joined the ladies' and the dinner was
Overcome OF the most pleasant the General had en-
Joyod In Europe II was extremely well arranged and
served.
THE VIEW FROM THE TERRACE
After dinner came coffee cigars. conversation and
views from the terrace. The salons in which Mr..
Douglas entertained his guests overlook one Of the
most beautiful scenes in France. Below his window was
wide and picturesque valley. through which the
brswling waters of the Gave forced their way. The
recent rains had swollen the volume OF the stream,
and instead Of the modest little creek along whose
banks summer tourists ind much delight in stroll
ing 1t had rushed over the fields and seemed little
lake. The valley cultivated. inhabited, dotted with
pines with pleasant cottages with vineyards stripped
OF their harvest treasures. with imposing
NIT were groves and church spires and quaint
towers. beautiful. even in the night were
the contrasts OF wood. water. field and Cliff.
With patches Of cleaning snow. Beyond the valley.
their snow-white tops ranged in irregular masses
against the skies, the Pyrenees Even ut night
curtained by the sombre shadows the glory of these
Pyrenean ranges asserts itself. Far to the left you
see the Bigorre hills, miles and miles away, the
highest peak over nine thousand feet high--one Of
going back as far the Romans. who came TO drink
the waters OF Bigorrc in the valley beneath, and
where in later Gays Montaigne loved to dwell.
Bigorre overlooks OF the most fertile plains in
France. Towering 10000 feet, you the majestic
Long peak the centre Of an Alpine scenery of
and ice, of glaciers that have gathered for
ages and now fash down upon through the gray
night. You see tho bleak SUBMITS Of tho Cauterets
1900 feet high OF the most striking scenes in the
Pyrenees. There is Vigncmale nearly eleven thou
sand feet, where Alpine adventrcrs climb and where
sporsmen go for mountain trout. There Ia the gen.
tie ascent OF Gabisos which oyerooks OF Cesars
camps. now no longer the scat Of Roman military
power, but the scene OF summer picnics. Here
once \ famous convent. which time and revo-
you. as you stand on tho balcony and
enjoy your cigar and hear the band dis
course the measures of Venetian carnival. Is
Daaitous. where the SHOWS eternal. and the rocks
arc whrlcd about In so appalling manner that only
nature in its matldcst mood could have composed so
vast and terrible monument. The Pic du Midi de
Pan looks IL it had shot in volcanic period
it stands so lonely aud desolate towering nearly ten
thousand feet and looking over the historic plains Of
Aragon. Ane looks like . honeycomb. and
closes our view OF the Pyrenees which are
a line OF snow-coyered battlements separat-
ing France from Spain, and which although
SO calm and tranquil on this keen December night
the icy mir frightened with the snowy ranges have
been for ages historic ground and have been
by the armies OF every European conqueror, from
Hannibal to Napoleon
notice before closing this letter dinner given to
him by DR.. L. Parks. Of Boston, Of the leading
members OF the American colony ut Pau. DR. Parks
entertained his guests at his house the Place Du-
plas, and the evening exceedingly enjoyable to
the General and Mrs. Grant.