invented in Paris four centuries gone by, that London cannot produce one far superior to aught to be obtained in that interesting city, with all its glorious arts and civilization. But such is by no means the belief, even of men whose heads are worthy of the best of covering. Like gants de Paris, so are chapeaux de Paris, exhibited in all the towns of England. Nevertheless every one of them is 'made in the land we live in. As an instance of this absurdity I once possessed a hat from the admirable shop of Messrs. Chapman and Moore, in Bond-street, of so good a quality that, having worn it for several months, not carefully, I deemed it worthy of renovation; so for the payment of one shilling it became apparently almost new. Conceive my astonishment, however, on beholding the wellknown names of Chapman and Moore erased, and chapeaux de Paris inserted; fancy the indignity of this celebrated firm, on beholding such a desecration of their handy-work, which at first I did not discover! On walking down the street, it occurred to me, the weather being hot, to admire the interior of my new beaver. On observing the chapeaux de Paris, I instantly returned to the shop, fancying that I had appropriated that which was not mine. "It is yours, I assure you, sir."

"Then why place this label in?"

"Solely that French hats are the fashion, and all our customers ask for them."

find it,

"Be it so; in future leave mine as you or insert John Bull, or ought else. I am satisfied with native industry; no disparagement to my neighbours of republican France, whose country I admire and whose people I respect."

And now I must bid adieu once more to manufactories, shops, bricks and walls, interesting as they are, and fly away again o'er hill and dale, to vales and woodlands of the west.

CHAPTER VIII.

Once more on a gallant steed, with the clear sky of summer above, surrounded by a rich luxuriant English home landscape-what so delightful, what so exhilirating! Add to this a pleasant, wellinformed companion. Who would desire more? If the spirit of envy entereth my heart more on one occasion than another, I must confess it is at such times as I behold a splendid horse, not seldom mounted by an indifferent rider, who possibly cares little for the noble animal and less for the healthy and all-pleasing recreation; yet, having the wealth, he bestrides a horse whose value exceeds the yearly income of many a hard-working servant of the Crown, whereas he would be equally well satisfied, were it not the fashion to be so mounted, on