Wednesday August 28th, 1872

Wednesday Aug 28th had a good breakfast then to St Cloud by Omnibus the Palace in 1849 I saw it in all its grandeur, now all in ruins, a strange difference, the gardens are fine and extensive, from here to Versaillies by railway, taking our seats at the top of the carriage had a fine view of the country as we went along. Went to a Café at Versaillies had some refreshments (made the waiter laugh with my broken French) then to the Palace, saw the paintings in the rooms with polished floors and the ceillings are as finely painted as the pictures, which are mostly battle scenes.

Then into the gardens, the Orange trees in blossom, the beautiful avenues, the flowers &c, water with gold and silver fish, a splendid lake opposite the flight of steps to the Palace, all in the gardens are most beautiful, also the sheet of water in another part of the gardens where the grand fountains play only once a year (I saw them playing in May 1849 when Napoleon the 3rd was only President of the French Republic, he was there, and thousands of people on that day to see the waters play, which was magnificent (but not equal to the fountains now at Sydenham).

We were very much amused with the fish, in this water, someone had thrown the ends of four rolls into the water and there was from 5 to 8 fish about 4 to 5lbs each fighting and trying to catch and eat the ends of the rolls which was too big for their mouths, they made as much noise in the water as a large dog.

The gardens are most extensive and beautifully laid out, you could spend two or three days in them and one or two days in the Palace, and then not see all.

Back by train to Paris, went to the Hotel to Table de Hote at 5 had good dinner, a bottle of wine for every two, my two friends being teetotalers I had the chance of a double quantity of wine, but found my own enough. The room was not as large nor the dinner so good as at Geneva, yet it was very well. After dinner walked about Paris, went to an open air Concert in the Champs Elysee, more than 2 thousand people there, ½ franc entrance, but as soon as we were seated and Mr P and I ordered some grog they charged us 5 franc’s each (quite a sell). Left here for our lodgings, but could not find them untill after 11 oclock at night, went to bed tired.