M.de Scudery said of this palace, that, for the purpose of keeping the grounds and gardens well watered, M.Fouquet had divided a river into a thousand fountains, and gathered the waters of a thousand fountains into torrents.

This same Monsieur de Scudery said a great many other things in his "Clelie," about this palace of Valterre, the charms of which he describes most minutely.

We should be far wiser to send our curious readers to Vaux to judge for themselves, than to refer them to "Clelie;" and yet there are as many leagues from Paris to Vaux, as there are volumes of the "Clelie." This magnificent palace had been got ready for the reception of the greatest reigning sovereign of the time.

M.Fouquet's friends had transported thither, some their actors and their dresses, others their troops of sculptors and artists; not forgetting others with their ready-mended pens,--floods of impromptus were contemplated.

The cascades, somewhat rebellious nymphs though they were, poured forth their waters brighter and clearer than crystal: they scattered over the bronze triton and nereids their waves of foam, which glistened like fire in the rays of the sun.