1747.  The pupils, who are all taken from the Polytechnique, are instructed in every thing connected with the projection and construction of bridges, canals, ports and public works.  Their collection of plans, maps, and models relative to these operations is very rich.  But a few paces southward bring us facing the ancient convent of Panthemont, now used as a barrack for cavalry, forming the corner of the Rue de Belle-Chasse and that of the Rue de Grenelle; the chapel, which has a dome, is an interesting architectural object.

This is one of the aristocratic streets of Paris, where the most ancient families of France have their town residences; the Rue St. Dominique is of the same description, and many others in this neighbourhood, but in too many cases immense gateways and high walls are all that are to be seen in the streets, as the hotels are situated behind them at the end of large court-yards, similar to several houses in Piccadilly the most of which are now pulled down:  on the west side of Cavendish square one is still standing (I believe Lord Harcourt’s), and several others in different parts of the west end of the town.  The most conspicuous hotels in the Rue St. Dominique, are those of the Duke de Lynes, No. 33, the hotel of the late Duchess Dowager of Orleans, No. 58, formerly inhabited by Cambaceres.  The Hotel de Grammont, No. 103, and the Hotel de Perigord, No. 105.  At 82 and 86, are the residence and offices of the Minister of War, where there is a very valuable library, with a most interesting collection of plans, maps, and drawings.  We will now return to the Rue du Bac, and at No. 132, we shall notice the Hotel Chatillon, now occupied by the sisters of St. Vincent de Paule, better known as the Sisters of Charity.

At the top of the street we find the Rue de Sevres, and turning to the left we shall view, at the corner of the Rue de la Chaise, the old Hospital entitled Hospices des Menages; it was built in 1554 on the site of an old establishment for afflicted children, and is now appropriated to the reception of the aged, whether married couples or single; there are 264 beds, and an extensive garden attached to the establishment.  Strangers may visit this hospital every day, and will find the detail of the regulations very interesting.  A few yards eastward bring us to the Abbaye-aux-Bois, so called when it was founded in 1202 from being in the midst of the woods; this church possesses a few good pictures, amongst which are a Virgin and dead Christ, by Lebrun, and a portrait of Mlle de la Valliere.  Opposite is the Maison du Noviciat des Religieuses Hospitalieres de St. Thomas de Villeneuve.  Still continuing in the Rue de Sevres, at No. 54, is the hospital for women who are incurable; it was founded in 1634 by Cardinal de la Rochefoucault, which is indicated by an inscription over the door; it contains 600 beds.  There is a large chapel attached, in which there are some pictures, and one bearing the date of 1404 with a handsome monument of the founder.