HIS, one of the most important states of Continental Europe, is situated between the Jura, the Alps, the Mediterranean, the Pyrenees, the Atlantic, the British Channel, and the German Ocean. It did not receive the name of France until after Clovis' conquest. It was anciently named Gaul, from a Celtic word signifying "a wood," or "woody country;" for Gaul was formerly covered with thick forests.

France generally presents a level but not undiversified surface. The most elevated city is

Pontarlier, on the borders of Switzerland, which is 2,910 ft. above the level of the sea. The finest parts of France lie along the course of the Seine to Paris; thence by the great road to Moulins and on to Auvergne; thence to Vivers, on the Rhône, and along the course of that river to Aix, and from Air to Italy. The provinces of Bretagne, Maine, and Angoulême have, in general, the appearance of deserts. Some parts of Touraine are rich and pleasing, but most of it is deficient in beauty. French Flanders and Artois are more rich than picturesque. Mr. Young says that the Limousin

possesses more natural beauty than any other province of France. Hill and dale, woods, lakes, streams, and scattered farms, are mingled everywhere through its whole extent in a thousand delicious pictures. The Vivarraise, along the Rhone, and the adjoining parts of Dauphiné, are most romantic. The picturesque beauty of the hilly parts of France is heightened by the rich and luxuriant verdure of the chestnut-trees, particularly in the Limousin and Auvergne. The most level tracts are the French Netherlands, as they are called, on the north. From the mouth of the Garonne to the borders of Spain the coast consists of a flat, sandy tract, called the Landes, producing only heath, broom, and a few junipers. The other parts of France are, for the most part, agreeably diversified with gentle risings and depressions, and bear a considerable resemblance to the general scenery of England. The principal mountain chains are the Cévennes, the Vosges, the Jura, the Alps, and the Pyrenees.

The grand chain of the Cévennes rises to the west of the Rhône, and seems to be the principal centre of the primitive district of France, extending into several branches. The low and rounded chain of the Vosges the Mons Vogesus of Cæsar-rises a little to the north of Deuxponts and Keyserlautern, and runs thence in a southerly direction parallel to the course of the Rhine, separating the duchy of Deuxponts and the narrow region of Alsace from Lorraine and Franche-Comté. The Jura, a vanguard of the Alps, forms the boundary between France and Switzerland, and terminates a little to the north-west of Geneva.

A chain of the Alps crosses the

departments of the Maritime Alps, Lower and Upper Alps, and sepa rates France from Italy and Switzerland as far as the neighbourhood of the Jura. In the department of Drome another Alpine ridge takes its rise, and crosses the departments of the Ardèche, Loire, Rhone, Saône-et-Loire, and Coted'Or, as far as Dijon. The Pyrenees, in the south of France, stretch from Cape Creuz, on the Mediterranean, to the bay of Figueras, on the coast of Spain. This vast chain, known to geographers since the days of Herodotus, may be considered as equally belonging to France and Spain.

The highest peaks in the Pyrenees, the Maladetta and Mount Perdu, attain an elevation of 10,886 ft. and 10,994 ft. respectively. The French portion of the Alps now includes several of the highest mountains and most elevated passes of the range; as Mont Blanc 15,774 ft.; Mont Iseran 13,272 ft.; Mont Cenis 11,457 ft.; and the pass of Little St. Bernard 7,190 ft., that of Mont Cenis 6,770 ft. above the level of the sea, &c. In Corsica the highest peak rises to an elevation somewhat above 9,000 ft.

France is everywhere intersected with rivers and streams. Of these, 300 are navigable, the principal being the Rhone, the Loire, the Garonne, and the Seine. The Loire is the longest, running a comparative course of 650 miles. The superficial area of France, including the new Savoy provinces, but exclusive of the isle of Corsica, is estimated at 201,578 square miles, and, as Corsica has an ares of about 3,350 square miles, the total is 204,928 square miles. France has a coast line, along the Mediterranean, of 360 miles, along the Atlantic, of 585 miles, and

along the North Sea and Channel, of 525 miles, and possesses numerous gulfs, bays and straits. The population, at the last census, was 37,382,225.

Owing to its great extent of area, considerable diversities of temperature are to be met with in France, yet it may be regarded, on the whole, as perhaps more favourable to the sustenance and comfort of human life than that of any other region in Europe. In the northern districts the climate is hotter and more moist in summer than in the southwestern parts of England. The central division possesses the best climate. In Touraine and the Limousin, snow and frost seldom occur; the air is pure, light and elastic, and the spring a continuance of such weather as is usually enjoyed in England about the middle of May. In the north the rains are extremely heavy, and of longer duration than in England. In winter there are heavier snows, and more severe frosts than occur in the south of England.

FRENCH MONEY.

In France, accounts are kept in francs and centimes, 100 centimes being equal to one franc. The gold coins in use are pieces of 100 francs, 50 francs, 25 francs, 20 francs (usually called Napoleons), 10 francs and 5 francs. The silver coins are pieces of 20 centimes, 50 centimes, one franc, 2 francs, and 5 franes.

For all practical purposes the franc may be estimated at tenpence in English, or 20 cents in United States money-though that rate is not the exact value, the pound sterling being sometimes available in France at 25 francs 10 to 20 centimes, and the dollar being available at 5 francs, 5 to 15

centimes. It is the habit of Englishmen, in estimating their expenses, however, to count the pound sterling as equal to 25 francs, and Americans generally estimate the Napoleon at four dollars.

FRENCH MEASURES.

The French kilomètre is equal to 4 furlongs, 213 yards, 1 foot and 11 inches. Five kilomètres are therefore nearly equal to 3 English miles. Eight kilometres are very nearly 5 English miles.

ROUTE 50.

CALAIS TO BOULOGNE AND PARIS.

(For Route between London and Dover, see Route 46.)

176) miles; fares, first class, 36.20 francs; second, 27.15.

EAVING Dover, we cross to CALAIS, by steamer (22 miles. Hotels: Dessin, Station), population 13,250. This ancient seaport town is situated in the Department of the l'as-de-Calais, 19 miles from Boulogne and 22 from Dover. It is of great strength, possessing extensive ramparts, a citadel and a fortified port. Its streets are, for the most part, broad and well paved, and its ramparts form pleasant promenades. The chief object of interest. is the Church of Notre Dame, a Gothic edifice, which contains a fine picture of the "Assumption" by Vandyck.

The principal manufactures are tulle and hosiery. It has distil

leries, carriage factories, and shipbuilding docks, and carries on a considerable trade in brandy, wine, and provisions. Leaving Calais, a journey of 19 miles brings

us to

BOULOGNE-SUR-MER (Hotels: See" HOTEL APPENDIX"); popution, 41,000.

The town consists of two parts, Upper and Lower, The upper town or Haute Ville, was in former times strongly fortified, its citadel was built by Vauban. Its ramparts have been converted into promenades, from which, in clear weather, Dover can be seen. The upper town contains the Hôtel de Ville, the Cathedral, Castle, &c. The lower town, which is more properly the seaport, is newer, finer, and more populous. It contains the barracks, the great Hospital, the Theatre, Halle aux Poissons, and several other fine buildings, including the Public Library. Steamers ply daily, direct to London, a passage of about 9 hours, and twice a day to Folkestone in 12 hours.

The English community forms a large portion of the resident population of Boulogne, and numerous hotels and boarding-houses are provided for the accommodation of visitors. Paris is reached

by railway from Boulogne in 4 hours. The harbour is too shallow for large ships; it was, however considerably enlarged and improved by Napoleon I., and also more recently; so that at high-water the largest merchant vessels can, without danger, pass out or in. From this point Napoleon contemplated the invasion of England, and here he encamped 180,000 men, and collected 2,400 transports, but, after some months watching, the war with Austria created other employment for

them. A marble column 166 feet high, surmounted by a bronze statue of the emperor, was erected in commemoration of this camp.

Campbell, author of the "Pleasures of Hope," and Churchill the poet died here. Here also died Le Sage, the author of "Gil Blas."

Boulogne has numerous churches and educational institutions, and a gallery of paintings.

The CATHEDRAL of Notre Dame is a modern structure in the Italian style of architecture. Its dome, which is a conspicuous object from the sea, is 295 ft. in height. The church contains very little of interest. Underneath it are extensive and ancient crypts, by some thought to date as far back as the 12th century.

The MUSEUM in the Grande Rue, contains many objects of interest, as armour, weapons, &c. and contains some paintings worthy of notice. Access may always be had to the collections, by paying a small fee to the concierge. The public library,containing 32,000 volumes, is in the same building.

The bathing establishment is one of the finest in France. The spacious building contains the usual reading, ball, and conversation rooms, baths, &c. It is surrounded by well laid out gardens, and near it is an enormous and very curious aquarium.

Near the fish-market is a statue of Jenner, the discoverer of vaccination.

The pier, which is nearly 2000 ft. in length, is the favourite promenade of the citizens, and is thronged during the bathing seasons by promenaders, presenting an animated appearance.

The depth of water in the har. bour not being sufficient to admit

large ships, the steamer service to the opposite shores of England is a tidal one, the steamers taking their departure only when the tides

serve.

Passing Boulogne, we proceed by the bank of the Liane till we pass Pont-de-Brique (223 miles), when, emerging from a tunnel cut through a hill, on and around which is the forest of Hardelot, we crosS an expanse of sand, and arrive at Verton (434 miles). Beyond Noyelles we pass Blanquetaque, where the English army crossed the Somme before the battle of Crécy, and reach ABBEVILLE (59 miles), (Hotels; Tête de Bauf, de France), population 21,000. It is a chief town of the department of the Somme, and a fortress of the second class. Its principal object of interest is the church of St. Wolfram, a good view of which may be had from the railway, on the left. The façade and portals are richly sculptured. It was commenced in the 15th century, and has never been finished. The Hotel de Ville has a belfry of the 13th century. There are many interesting old mansions in the town, one of which is called the house of Francis 1. At Piquigny (86) miles), there is a ruined castle of the 15th century, and among the ruins those of a church. cathedral of Amiens is seen on the left, before reaching AMIENS (95) miles), (Hotels: du Rhin, de France et d'Angleterre),population,58,780. (Express trains stop 20 minutes.)

The

This city, formerly the chief town of Picardy, is the capital of the department of the Somme. It is the centre of a large general trade, and stands on the banks of the River Somme, distant 35 miles from the English Channel. The town is pleasantly situated and its streets are straight, broad, and

well built. It contains a public library with 60,000 vols., a mu seum, a theatre, hotel-de-ville, and cavalry barracks. It is a bishop's see. Its chief manufactures are woollens. Besides these, there are important chemical works.

Its most celebrated building is a GOTHIC CATHEDRAL, which is one of the finest in Europe. Although founded in the 12th it was not completed till the end of the 14th century. The interior is

very imposing. Its length is 442 ft., and the greatest height is 140 ft.,-half as high again as that of Westminster. The head of St. John the Baptist, which was brought from Constantinople, is among the relics of this Cathedral.

Amiens owes its chief celebrity to the treaty called "The Peace of Amiens," signed here March 27, 1802, and intended to settle the disputed points between England, France, Spain, and Holland.

Amiens is the birth-place of Peter the Hermit, Gabrielle d'Estrées, Ducange, and the astronomer Delambre.

Leaving Amiens we proceed for several miles through a very uninteresting tract, passing, amongst other places, Clermont (1364 miles), the ancient castle of which is now used as a Female Penitentiary. The next stoppage is at CREIL (145} miles), near which town, on a small island in the Oise, are the ruins of a castle in which Charles VI. was confined during his insanity. Express trains stop at no station between Creil and Paris. Chantilly (1524 miles), is celebrated for its lace, and perhaps still more so for its races, which attract a large and fashionable concourse. The neighbourhood is very attractive. The railway passes for some distance through the forest, which contains many magnificent trees of great