I next desired my guide to conduct me to the flower market, when, after a considerable walk, I found myself in the flour market, which was well stocked with sacks of flour and grain. I was, however, much pleased with the fine circular building, with lofty dome, and the quantity of grain it contained. I then proceeded to the real flower market, which was held this afternoon at the Magdalen, a most magnificent building. The quantity of flowers fell far short of my expectation: the Neapolitan violet and the more common sorts of autumnal flowers were the principal stock exposed for sale this day.
Left Paris at seven o'clock in the evening for Rouen, where I arrived on the morning of the 10th, about ten o'clock. I immediately proceeded to the nursery garden of Mr. Calvert, where I found an extensive range of hothouses rapidly falling into a state of dilapidation for want of paint and other repairs. The nursery ground was also principally in a waste state, except a part in which dahlias were cultivated, and which were certainly very fine, containing both the French and English collections. Mr. Calvert's son informed me that his father was then clearing the ground of the stock with the intention of removing it to England, where he intended commencing the nursery business.
I was also informed that the Rouen Botanic Garden was contemplated to be formed on the site of this nursery, which is unquestionably a fine situation for it.
I then visited the nursery of M. Vallet, which contains a large quantity of very fine orange trees, that he was very anxious to dispose of at £10 per tree. There is likewise a good collection of greenhouse plants and hardy shrubs, as well as standard roses; the latter M. Vallet frequently brings to England to be disposed of in the London markets.
I next proceeded to the Botanic Garden, which appeared to contain about an English acre of ground, with two or three old hothouses for plants, with but a limited stock in them. There appeared to be a pretty good collection of hardy perennials and annuals, but few shrubs, or ornamental trees.
I then made the best of my way to M. Prevost's nursery, which is undoubtedly the most extensive and contains the best collection of plants about Rouen. The quantity of standard roses cultivated in this nursery is immense; a priced catalogue of them has been lately printed, the prices specified in it are very moderate. The blood peach was here with plenty of fruit on it, but it evidently will not get soft or fit for use in the open air. I also observed several other ornamental trees in this establishment; it was likewise well stocked with a large assortment of fruit trees.
The scenery about Rouen is very beautiful and picturesque, and is varied by some large white chalk hills: the river, with numerous small vessels, tends greatly to enliven the scene.
Oct. 11th. Went to see the ancient cathedral, said to have been commenced by William the Conqueror. I was much pleased with its fine Gothic appearance, as well as with the paintings, stained glass, and other ornaments. There is another church in this town, called St. Ouen, deserving of the stranger's notice, which appeared to me but little inferior to the cathedral. The Palais de Justice is also a curious old building.
Left Rouen at eleven o'clock for Dieppe, where we arrived at five in the evening, passing through a fine varied country, richly clothed with fruit trees and agricultural produce, which appeared to be in a very flourishing state.
Oct. 12th. Being confined all this day at Dieppe by contrary winds I made an excursion round the vicinity of the town, which is very picturesque and considerably varied, I also visited the nursery garden of M. Racine, which contained a very fine collection of dahlias, standard roses, a fine assortment of pears, and other hardy plants; and a small greenhouse, in which a few good Cacteæ, and other showy plants, were cultivated and in good order.