« St. Germain-en-Laye is surrounded by an extensive forest, which is a remnant of those vast woods that formerly environed Paris. The ancient kings of France had a palace here, to which Francis I made great additions. Henry IV was fond of this residence ; Lewis XIII died, and Louis XIV was born here. The last-named sovereign completed the fine terrace that Henry IV began, and which commands an extensive and delightful view. Louis XIV afterwards gave this palace to Madame La Vallière, after whom our James II resided in it. Under the succeeding French monarchs it was almost abandoned ; during the Revolution it was converted into a barrack ; and under Bonaparte, was employed as a military school : it is now again used as a barrack. »