Arrival at Paris

Why do so many foreigners visit Paris each year? They generally come here, I suppose, to enjoy the sight of the monuments and 3 masterpieces. Don't the other large cities contain historical buildings ? Certainly, but nowhere will you find as many as in this city.

However, I don't intend to spend 4 all my time looking at the sights. I wish to live with a French family. Why don't you put up at a hotel ? I shall spend 4 a few days resting there on 5 my arrival. What will you do then ? I wrote to the landlady of a boarding house and she will inform me when she has an unoccupied room. That will aid me to form a just idea of the French people. I believe that I shall do my utmost to follow your example. I shall try to study their customs. When I return6 home I shall be acquainted not only with the details of their public life but also with those of their private life.

1 if you wish it. 2 See Grammar Review, Section 40, note 1.

3 Repeat de. 4 passer . . . à.

5 à. 6 Use future.

Let us now go to the custom-house. Have you any article in your trunk on which duties are paid 1 ? I don't believe so,2 but I must undergo the formalities. While you are doing that I shall take a stroll to get my bearings.

Here is the cab-stand. There is the driver whom I am looking for. He resembles the types which the French novels that I have read mention so often. Don't wake him. He is resting. They always doze on the seat like the street urchins. Do you really intend to go to the hotel in that old-fashioned cab ? What will they * say about us when they 1 see 3 us ? He is lifting the heavy valises on the top of the cab. Let us help him. He doesn't need our help. He has done that many times. Good heavens ! They have fallen on the pavement. We should have gone to his call.

Is the hotel far from here? What is the matter? Stop your horse. I can't hear you. The horse is going so fast that his shoes are ringing on the pavement. I have little admiration for the cab, but the horse surprises me. Here you are at the hotel.