Two leagues off is the city of Morlens, belonging to Count de Foix, and at the entrance of the country of Bearn; and beneath the mountain, at six leagues from Tharbes, is the town of Pau, also belonging to the said Count." This is Froissart's description of Tarbes, in his time; and, as far as regards its beautiful sparkling river, which is _not the Lisse_, but the Adour, might apply to it now; for the streams that appear in all directions, in and round the town, are as clear as crystal, and run glittering and murmuring through streets, roads, and promenades, as if the houses and squares had no business there to intercept its mountain-torrent.
We were much struck, when we first issued from our hotel in the Place-Maubourguet, to behold, opposite, framed, as it were, in a square opening between the streets, a gigantic mass of blue mountains shining in the sun.

They appeared singularly near; and one cannot fail to regard them with a certain awe, as if a new nature had dawned, different from any one had known before.

This is the most interesting spot in Tarbes; and its beautiful promenade by the river is also attractive.

There are no monuments,--no buildings worth notice.

The once fine castle may be traced in a few solid walls, and its moated position; but this tower was one of the first indications we had that all specimens of architectural art had ceased, and in future, with a few exceptions, it must be nature alone which was to interest us.