Taking the Rue Ste. Croix de la Bretonnerie, we shall find that the first turning in it is the Rue des Billettes, where stand the Lutheran Church; it was built in 1745, and belonged to the Carmelite Friars.  In 1808, it was bought by the city of Paris, and given about four years after to the Protestants of the Augsburgh confession.  It is a plain neat building.  The Duchess of Orleans attends service here when in Paris, which is in German at 2 and in French at 12.  From hence we cross the Rue de la Verrerie, and proceeding by the Rue des Mauvais Garcons, we arrive at the Church St. Gervais; an inscription under the first arch of the northern aisle of the choir, states the church to have been dedicated in 1420, although other parts of the building would indicate a more recent construction, but with all its incongruities, from its having been built at various periods, it excites a deep interest; the light gleaming through the painted glass gives a rich though rather sombre effect, the windows behind the altar have a most imposing appearance.  The western front was began in 1616, Louis the XIII laying the first stone, and is not equal to other parts of the building; some of the chapels of this church are particularly fine.  Amongst the pictures, of which there are many very good, is one by Albert Durer, with the date upon it of 1500.  Scarron, the husband of Mme. de Maintenon, lies buried here, as also the celebrated painter Philippe de Champagne, and one of his performances is amongst the pictures which decorate the church, being that of Jesus with Martha and Mary in the chapel of Ste. Genevieve; there are several other objects in this noble edifice so interesting, that no person who visits Paris should omit seeing it.  We may now take the Rue de la Tixeranderie where at the corner of the Rue du Coq is a house and turret of the 15th and 16th century, most probably the former, according to the statements of M. Dulaure.

[Illustration:  The Hotel de Ville.  Published by F. Sinnett, 15.  Grande rue Verte.]

We now arrive at the Hotel-de-Ville, Place de Greve; the first stone of this interesting and venerable pile was laid in 1533, but was not completely finished until 1606, in the reign of Henry IV.  The style of architecture is that which the French call La Renaissance des Arts, it is rich, rather heavy, and has an antique appearance; it is exactly according to the taste which prevailed in the 16th century, and was brought into vogue by Italian architects.  There is a great deal of ornament about the building, and a profusion of statues, still they appear consistent with the style of the building, and have not the effect of redundancy.  Over the doorway is a bronze equestrian statue of Henry IV.  Along the principal front is a flight of steps, and an arcade and portico with ionic columns, between the arches facing the entrance is a fine bronze statue of Louis XIV.  The Grande Salle or Salle du Trone is a most splendid apartment,