A colorful, conversational diary of two trips to France, a year apart, which Mrs. Gaskell, clearly a Francophile, took toward the end of her life. Originally a series for Fraser's Magazine, these essays feature all of the delightful observation Gaskell is known for. She details everything from French dress to meals to customs to architecture, usually with enough comparison to their English equivalents that modern-day Americans can understand the difference. Gaskell also delves into French history, recounting, for example, her talks with people who describe their childhoods during the Reign of Terror, and her researches into sometimes obscure past events of the places she visits. Anyone with an interest in France or history should enjoy this travelogue.