One would wonder why any body should think of coming to Saintes at all, except from curiosity, as we did; but that it is the direct route to the Gironde; where, from Mortagne, another steam-boat, in communication with the Charente, conveys passengers to Bordeaux.

Since the establishment of these boats a great change has been operated in Saintes, and probably its condition will now improve.
Notwithstanding this _too true_ description of the once important capital of Saintonge, it possesses an interest which may well attract the antiquarian visitor to its walls.

The ruins of the Arch and those of the Amphitheatre alone would be attraction enough for many; and as the hotels are remarkably good, clean, and comfortable, a sojourn of a few days in Saintes will quite repay the traveller who comes, as we did, out of his way to visit its battered walls.

We were not fortunate, as at La Rochelle, in the weather, for most of our excursions were performed in the midst of showers.

I cannot but think, from the experience of several years' travelling, that there is even more uncertainty in the weather in France than in England; and I was particularly struck with the fact, that the nearer we approached the south, the colder, damper, and less genial it became.