I 've seen the imperial family several times , the emperor an ugly , hard-looking man , the empress pale and pretty , but dressed in bad taste , I thought -- purple dress , green hat , and yellow gloves . Little Nap is a handsome boy , who sits chatting to his tutor , and kisses his hand to the people as he passes in his four-horse barouche , with postilions in red satin jackets and a mounted guard before and behind . We often walk in the Tuileries Gardens , for they are lovely , though the antique Luxembourg Gardens suit me better . Pere la Chaise is very curious , for many of the tombs are like small rooms , and looking in , one sees a table , with images or pictures of the dead , and chairs for the mourners to sit in when they come to lament . That is so Frenchy . Our rooms are on the Rue de Rivoli , and sitting on the balcony , we look up and down the long , brilliant street . It is so pleasant that we spend our evenings talking there when too tired with our day 's work to go out . Fred is very entertaining , and is altogether the most agreeable young man I ever knew -- except Laurie , whose manners are more charming . I wish Fred was dark , for I do n't fancy light men , however , the Vaughns are very rich and come of an excellent family , so I wo n't find fault with their yellow hair , as my own is yellower . Next week we are off to Germany and Switzerland , and as we shall travel fast , I shall only be able to give you hasty letters . I keep my diary , and try to ` remember correctly and describe clearly all that I see and admire ' , as Father advised . It is good practice for me , and with my sketchbook will give you a better idea of my tour than these scribbles . Adieu , I embrace you tenderly . `` Votre Amie . '' HEIDELBERG My dear Mamma , Having a quiet hour before we leave for Berne , I 'll try to tell you what has happened , for some of it is very important , as you will see . The sail up the Rhine was perfect , and I just sat and enjoyed it with all my might . Get Father 's old guidebooks and read about it . I have n't words beautiful enough to describe it . At Coblentz we had a lovely time , for some students from Bonn , with whom Fred got acquainted on the boat , gave us a serenade . It was a moonlight night , and about one o'clock Flo and I were waked by the most delicious music under our windows .
We flew up , and hid behind the curtains , but sly peeps showed us XXXXX and the students singing away down below .
Amie Berne Bonn Father Flo Fred Gardens Vaughns day empress