after a severe engagement with the retreating troops of the French, had one regiment of cavalry cut to pieces.  At Ruel, the celebrated Cardinal Richelieu had a palace, which at the Revolution became national property, and was purchased by Massena, Duc de Rivoli, Prince D’Essling, lately deceased.  The Duchess still resides there.  It was taken possession of by the allies in 1815, and, like Malmaison, plundered by the troops.  There are extensive barracks for cavalry at this place, at present occupied by the Swiss guards.

A little farther, between Malmaison and Marly, is a beautiful chateau, formerly belonging to General Count Bertrand, who accompanied Napoleon to Saint Helena; it is now the property of M. Ouverard, the banker:  nearly opposite is the residence of the celebrated Abbe Sieyes, who lives in great retirement.  Whatever may have been the political transgressions of Bertrand, there is something so noble in his devotion to the fallen fortunes of his master, that it is impossible not to respect his character.

At Marly, the water-works and aqueduct for conveying the water from the river Seine to the palace and gardens of Versailles, are very curious.  The palace of Marly is destroyed; but the basins, which were constructed by order of Louis XIV. are still to be seen, though in ruins.  Delille, the poet, in his description of the chateau and beautiful grounds of Marly, says: 

  C’est la que tout est grand, que l’art n’est point timide;
  La tout est enchante:  c’est le Palais d’Armide;
  C’est le jardin d’Alcine, ou plutot d’un Heros,
  Noble dans sa retraite et grand dans son repos. 
  Qui cherche encore a vaincre, a dompter des obstacles,
  Et ne marche jamais qu’entoure de miracles.

On quitting Paris, I had procured a letter of introduction from Count La Cou to Madame de Bellou, at Mortagne, a charming old lady of an ancient and noble family in that province, who had never quitted the seat of her ancestors, but remained quiet and respected during all the storms of the revolution.  She received me with kindness, and politely introduced me to the Sub-Prefect, Monsieur Lamorelie, who gave me a letter of introduction to the Pere Don Augustin, Grand Prior of La Trappe.  The mayor of the commune of Solignie, who happened to be at the inn, and learned from the Aubergiste, that a stranger intended visiting La Trappe, very civilly introduced himself to me, and gave me every necessary direction how to proceed through the forest; at the same time expressing his surprise that an Englishman should take the trouble, and undergo the fatigue of penetrating through such a country, an attempt which few of his own countrymen had ever ventured to make.  It was singular enough that only one person in the town could be found to accompany me as a guide, or who knew any thing of the track through the forest, although the abbey is distant only twenty-five miles.