FRANCE. 431

those calling themselves liberal; the journal of Benjamin Constant seemed more in request among them than any other.

In passing through the different states of Germany, my passport had been seldom inquired for, and never much examined; but at Metz, the vigilance of the police appeared to be more alive. I was under the necessity of going to the prefecture, where a description of my person was made, and the various answers to the questions proposed to me were registered. My age, birth-place, residence, profession, from whence I came, and where I was going, were all noted with a minuteness, that gave no very favourable impression of the degree of liberty that France enjoys. After some detention, a passport to Paris was given to me; and on my demanding my English passport, which had carried me without being questioned, through other countries, I was told, I should re- ceive itin Paris, if Lord Castlereagh’s signature was verified by the English minister in that city. On my road to Paris, the passport delivered to me here, was taken at the entrance of each city, and given to me again when going out at the oppo- site gate; such is the freedom which France allows!

I spent but one day at Metz. After passing the bridge over the Moselle, and clearing the numerous gates, the various canals, and the narrow ways that form the defences of this very strong city,awe began to wind up a lofty hill, whose sides were wholly covered with vineyards; and as we continued to ascend, s0 as to gain a clear view over the city and its imme- diate vicinity, it displayed Metz divided by the river, situated in the centre of a circle of hills, on which from the bottom to the top, nothing but fruit-gardens, and vineyards were to be

seen. The vineyards are mostly. in small divisions, and are So K