former strength.  From Dunkirk, I proceeded to Gravelines, which, although inconsiderable as a town, is strong as a fortress, since the flat country which surrounds it may be laid under water to a great extent on the approach of an enemy.  The market-place is spacious, but overgrown with weeds.  I observed that it still bears the name of the Place de la Liberte, and a street which communicates with it is designated Rue de l’Egalite.

The title of the market-place is more applicable to the present than to the former state of France; that of the street cannot long exist in any country, for the maxim tells us, “that all men are by nature unequal,” and the attempt to render them equal has been often compared, in point of absurdity, to the labours of Procrustes. An equal right to justice is all the equality that can subsist in civilized society, consistent with the liberty, property, and personal security, of individuals, which would be perpetually violated by a system, to preserve which, it would be requisite continually to take from the acquisitions of the industrious, to give to the idle and the profligate.  It is possible that the experience of the last twenty years may not have produced as full a conviction as might have been expected on the minds of the French; but it cannot be supposed to have been altogether unheeded by them.

I found at Gravelines a diligence, which I think the cheapest land conveyance I ever met with.  It runs from Dunkirk to Calais (about twenty-five English miles) for three francs.  It carries six passengers, and performs the journey in about five or six hours.  It is the spirit of opposition which has so advantageously for the public reduced the price, which used to be double, and which will probably, in a little time, rise one franc more.

The country between Gravelines and Calais is as uninteresting as can be conceived.  The ground is shewn where Edward III. of England had his camp during the memorable siege of Calais.  This town continued to be possessed by England until the reign of Queen Mary, (being the last place in France proper which remained of the numerous territories once possessed by England), and its loss is said to have greatly afflicted her Majesty.  The fortifications of Calais are kept in tolerably good repair.  I found that for three days previous to my arrival no vessel had been able to sail, owing to the contrary winds and the violent agitation of the sea.  Two vessels had been wrecked by these storms, but nearly all the crews were saved.  In the evening I visited the theatre, and was sorry to observe, that a sentiment introduced into the performance expressive of satisfaction at the peace between France and England, excited much disapprobation from the officers present.  The jealousy which prevails against the English in France is very striking, after the cordiality with which they are received in Germany.  It seems to be the Englishman’s purse alone that commands a certain interested assiduity, which they take care shall be amply remunerated.