It is difficult to give a hard-and-fast amount per diem as to expenditure, as it depends so much on the drives, excursions, &c.; as above stated 10 frs. per day paid all hotel expenses (including vin ordinaire), and we consider that in the spring, with several excursions, and “a landau and four” for the principal drives—­such as Bigorre to Luchon, Lourdes to St. Sauveur, St. Sauveur to Gavarnie, &c. &c.—­25 frs. or L1 per day ought to cover the whole daily expense of each person.  In the summer of course 35 frs., or even 40 frs., would be required for the same period.  Horses and carriages are cheap in the spring, but even then a little judicious bargaining is required, as it is in nearly every transaction, in the Pyrenees.

Jam, marmalade, bloater-paste, and small luxuries of that kind, not excluding whiskey, are difficult to obtain, and it is well to take them all from Pau or Biarritz, wherever the start is made.  Bagneres de Bigorre, chez M. Peltier, is fairly well supplied, but other resorts know not the sound of their names!  It is also worth knowing that a system of “Parcels Post” is in operation, whereby any moderate-sized parcel can be dispatched from any station for 85 cents, and delivered at any place within reach of the railway or diligence; but it must be understood at the same time that bread will in like manner be delivered only where the railway or diligence runs; if travellers therefore go to places where there is no official communication, they must depute some agent to receive letters or parcels where the diligence last stops, and then forward them by special messenger.  This can be done of course, but it will prove costly.

The rate of postage is 2-1/2d. the 15 grammes (a shade over 1/2 oz.), and 2-1/2d. for every additional 15 grammes.

Money orders are issued at all the principal towns to which (see Appendix A) a post-office belongs.

Telegrams, 1/2 d = 5 cents, per word, the address being charged for the same as the rest; but no telegram can cost less than 50 centimes.

The rate to England is variable; usually 2-1/2 d. per word.

Money is reckoned at 25 frs. to the L1 English, and banknotes or gold will be accepted in nearly all hotels, and circular notes as well, at the larger resorts.

TABLE OF LITRES AND PINTS.

1/2 litre = 7/8 pint. 1 " = 1-3/4 pints. 2 litres = 3-1/2 pints. 4 " = 7 pints. 8 " = 7 quarts.

TABLES OF GRAMMES AND OUNCES.

  29 grammes = 1 oz.
  57 " = 2 oz.
  86 " = 3 oz.
 114 " = 4 oz. = 1/4 lb.
 227 " = 8 oz. = 1/2 lb.
 454 " = 16 oz. = 1 lb.
 908 " = 32 oz. = 2 lbs.
1000 " = 35-1/5 oz. = 2 lbs. 3-1/5 oz.
1 kilogramme = 1000 grammes = 2 lbs. 3-1/5 oz.