bee orchids, mountain violets, and both Polygalae; [Footnote:  Polygala rosea and P. amara.] while Mr. Sydney triumphed in the very laudable effort of showing the lazy guide how things could be managed, by arriving at the foot of the mountain some twenty minutes before him.  A very short trot brought us to the hotel in time for some half-past five tea, having taken seven and a half hours over our trip, including the hour spent for lunch.

Between the Hotel de France and the Pont Napoleon a narrow path strikes up to the right, almost opposite a large white house a short distance beyond the church; this we found a very pleasant quarter of an hour’s walk, leading by an easy gradient to a good point of view.  Box plants, with their bright leaves here and there changing into a rich red, lined the way, and many flowers, including gentians, added their charm.  From the rock at which we terminated our walks, a fine view of the Pic de Bergons, two cascades, the gorge towards Gavarnie and St. Sauveur, the Pont Napoleon, and a small defile on the immediate right, was our reward.

Another pleasant promenade and not a very long one, which we much enjoyed, was to the villages of Sazos and Grust, in the direction of the ascent of the Col de Riou and the Pic de Viscos.  We followed the high road down through the town, passing in turn the Roman-like and commodious baths, the path leading to the Hontalade establishment on the left, and the Pharmacie Claverie on the right; and just before the branch route from Luz joins in, took the left track up the side of the hill.  Pretty views of the different valleys unfolded to our gaze as we continued on our way, while a splendid vista of villages lay before us when we reached the platform space on which an iron cross is erected, a short way below Sazos.  The village itself, as well as that of Grust, which lies within easy distance above it, is a quaint, old-fashioned place.  The church is the chief attraction; in fact, immediately Miss Blunt found herself within the ancient exterior portal, she demanded paper and pencil, and although all the paper forthcoming was the back of an envelope and a telegraph form, managed to turn out an efficient representation of the old Roman fane.  In exploring it afterwards at our leisure, we were struck by several peculiarities which produced mingled feelings.  Inside the doorway, two curious flights of steps lead to the narrow galleries and the belfry, the final flight being totally devoid of either “sweetness” or light.  Having examined the bells and heard the clock strike three, we began the descent.  In the darkness we certainly did clutch a vertical rope, but could that simple act—­we ask in a whisper—­have had such an unusual effect as causing the clock to repeat its striking?  For, whether or not, before we reached the ground, the three strokes rang out again.  The carving over the altar is good, and the general effect of the whole church is likewise; but the supposed model of the grotto at Lourdes, and the awful painting in the side altar on the left, certainly do not add to its beauty.