Paris.

THE step

step into Paris;-but the first step is not made into any inviting place :-it is a large room under the same roof with the station-house, where all the trunks and parcels are deposited to undergo the inspection of the custom-house officers. Ladies who enter Brussels seldom leave it without Brussels lace. And, then, in entering France, there is apt to be a little trepidation respecting the above-named inspection. The lively Flemish woman of whom the lace was purchased, had assured us that there would be no difficulty, since we had not purchased as traders, but, as would appear at once to the officers, only for private use. Passengers stopping short of Paris had to undergo an inspection upon entering France. How they fared I know not. But at Paris, when my trunks and parcels were all collected, I handed over a box of cologne as un

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questionably subject to duty, and opened one of my trunks, adding, at the same time, that I was an American travelling for my pleasure. The officer immediately conducted me to the bureau, where I paid a small duty on the cologne, and received a permission to pass all my baggage.

And now we are in a carriage, driving through what appears to us, wearied as we are, an interminable range of streets, in the direction of the Tuilleries. We seek for lodgings in two or three hotels without success: Paris, like London, is thronged with visitors-several thousand Americans, it is said-how many English, I know not. At length we get rooms at the Hotel de Lille et d'Albion, in the Rue St. Honoré. They are the only rooms unoccupied in the house-so said the little woman with sharp black eyes, who kept the hotel. They are very elegant-a large parlor, and two large bed-rooms, en suite. They must all be taken together, and the price is exorbitant. We took them for one day.

The next day, through the intervention of a friend, we succeeded in hiring furnished apartments-just vacated-in the Rue St. Honoré, near the Tuilleries. We, of course, had the entire floor, which comprised a parlor, a dining-room, four bed-rooms, a kitchen, three rooms for servants, and an ante room. We had more room than we needed, but the entire suite had to be hired. The same friend procured us a man-servant, who was a man of all sorts of work, and a good cook in the bargain. The same night we were settled as pleasantly as if we had been in our own home. The rooms were amply and tastefully furnished. We had every convenience. After the French fashion, every mantelpiece had.

an elegant clock, besides various ornaments, so that we had no less than four clocks ticking at the same time.

Our breakfast and tea we always took at home. We dined at a restaurant whenever we pleased. More frequently, however, we dined at home, when our servant prepared for us some substantial dish of meat, with vegetables, while soup, entrées, and dessert were procured at a restaurant. We had infinitely more comfort than we could have had at any hotel, and at a cheaper rate.

We remained in Paris a month, and we succeeded in hiring our apartments for just that time.

The convenience of living in Paris is admirable. The French, beyond all other people, understand the economy of life. In London we hired apartments also, but the arrangements were not so complete nor so convenient. In Paris, you are as much isolated, as much at housekeeping, as really at home, as if you lived in a separate house. This is owing, in the first place, to the style of building. The ground floor is appropriated to shops or offices. The form of the buildings is quadrangular. The entrance is by an arched way in the middle into an inner court shut in from the street by massive double doors, and is wide enough to admit carriages. From this court winding stairs ascends to the top of the house, with platforms connecting with the ante-rooms of the different stories. This stairs answers the purpose of a private street, with which each story is connected as a separate dwelling. The different stories are as completely shut out from each other as different houses, standing side by side in the same street, are with us. The accommodations in each story are

complete for all the purposes of a private family. The houses differ in size, so that more ample or limited apartments may be obtained according to the number of the family. That I hired more ample accommodations than I required was owing to the fact of my being obliged to make my arrangements without delay, and for a particular time, so that it was prudent to embrace what so fortunately was offered to me at once. Those who contemplate a longer residence, and who take time to look about, can make very exact and economical arrangements.

Sometimes apartments are hired unfurnished, or furnished only in part; but there is no difficulty in hiring furniture or any articles necessary to housekeeping. There are persons who make it their business to hire out every thing of the kind. The rates are all fixed. An inventory is taken of all the articles when you take possession of your apartments, and again when you leave them, a copy of which is furnished you. You, of course, are responsible for all loss, and for damage beyond necessary wear and tear. To provide against all imposition, you can examine the articles for yourself when the inventory is taken.

Persons may live in a very elegant and expensive style in this way, or they may live economically and yet neatly, tastefully and comfortably. All humors and tastes may be suited. Small families and of moderate means, can, in this way, go to housekeeping without the trouble of buying, owning or arranging any thing, and for a longer or shorter time, as suits their convenience. In fine, it is a state of things which answers exactly to the wants and conditions of a great city.

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LIVING IN PARIS.

It is to be hoped that in our city of New-York, apartments may, ere long, be arranged and let out in the same way. Could it become as general as it is in Paris, it might be done with an approach to the same economy.

It did not appear to me that articles of food were generally cheaper in Paris than in New-York. Many articles are much dearer. Tea costs four times, coffee three times, and sugar twice as much. Some things are cheaper, but I think the average is nearly the same. House rent and servants' wages are much cheaper. But there is a very exact calculation as to quantity, so that there is no waste. And herein consists the great difference. In Paris you will have enough, without superabundance, and every thing is appropriated and turned to account.

On the ground floor at the foot of the stairs is a room occupied by the concierge, or porter, who has charge of the outer gate, and an oversight of the whole building, and who is always on duty.

We were no sooner established than we felt at home and at our ease, and with an entire command of our time. Located near the Tuileries, a few steps brought us at any hour of the day within its beautiful promenades. The Louvre was just at hand, where I could devote any spare hour:—a most extensive and magnificent gallery of art thrown open and free of expense, and as accessible as if I myself had been the owner of it. When I felt inclined I could stroll into the Bibliothèque Nationale, seat myself at a table, call for a book, and amuse myself as long as I pleased, and nothing to pay. I was in the centre of Paris with every thing at my command.