With a single friend I paid a visit to the two Trianons.  The larger was, we were told, just as king Louis Philippe left it.  One room was splendidly fitted up for the reception of Her Majesty Queen Victoria; who, it appeared, had promised a visit to the French Court; but the French Monarch ran away from his throne before the time arrived.  The Grand Trianon is not larger than many noblemen’s seats that may be seen in a day’s ride through any part of the British empire.  The building has only a ground floor, but its proportions are very elegant.

We next paid our respects to the Little Trianon.  This appears to be the most Republican of any of the French palaces.  I inspected this little palace with much interest, not more for its beauty than because of its having been the favourite residence of that purest of Princesses, best of Queens, and most affectionate of mothers, Marie Antoinette.  The grounds and building may be said to be only a palace in miniature, and this makes it still a more lovely spot.  The building consists of a square pavilion two stories high, and separated entirely from the accessory buildings, which are on the left, and among them a pretty chapel.  But a wish to be with the multitude, who were roving among the fountains, cut short my visit to the trianons.

The day was very fine, and the whole party seemed to enjoy it.  It was said that there were more than one hundred thousand persons at Versailles during the day.  The company appeared to lose themselves with the pleasure of walking among the trees, flower beds, fountains, and statues.  I met more than one wife seeking a lost husband, and vice versa.  Many persons were separated from their friends and did not meet them again till at the hotels in Paris.  In the train returning to Paris, an old gentleman who was seated near me said, “I would rest contented if I thought I should ever see my wife again!”

At four o’clock we were en route to St. Cloud, the much loved and favourite residence of the Emperor Napoleon.  It seemed that all Paris had come out to St. Cloud to see how the English and Americans would enjoy the playing of the water-works.  Many kings and rulers of the French have made St. Cloud their residence, but none have impressed their images so indelibly upon it as Napoleon.  It was here he was first elevated to power, and here Josephine spent her most happy hours.

The apartments where Napoleon was married to Marie Louise; the private rooms of Josephine and Marie Antoinette, were all in turn shown to us.  While standing on the balcony looking at Paris one cannot wonder that the Emperor should have selected this place as his residence, for a more lovely spot cannot be found than St. Cloud.

The palace is on the side of a hill, two leagues from Paris, and so situated that it looks down upon the French capital.  Standing, as we did, viewing Paris from St. Cloud, and the setting sun reflecting upon the domes, spires, and towers of the city of fashion, made us feel that this was the place from which the monarch should watch his subjects.  From the hour of arrival at St. Cloud till near eight o’clock, we were either inspecting the splendid palace or roaming the grounds and gardens, whose beautiful walks and sweet flowers made it appear a very Paradise on earth.