The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-07-06
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tire of the Intended Visit Of Napoleon III. to 6r't-
fnn,-Antiqutes of Dinan-Hs Walls, Castle,
Churches, Memorials Of Duquesslin, Anne o. 6r's-
tany. Sc.-Costume and Manners of the Bretons-
Breton Hatred Of the Engtsh-Ns causes
a, Prices of Living in Brittany, &c.
OF The millions of readers of the New York HERALD
il there a hundred that ever heard of Oman, in
Brittany? OF the thousands of y,ur readers who
nave from time to time visited Europe, is there a
single person who has stood upon the ramparts Of
this ancient city? suppose not one.
Permit me- then to make you acquainted with
this place for despite Of its Obscury it deserves to
be known; and the time perhaps, is not far distant
y when the opinions it entertains wi-because they
are the opinions of large section Of Frenchmen-
tend to modify not only the existing condition of
affairs but also the future government of France.
/ have two objects in view in addressing few
letters to you from this locality-frst desire to
call att ention to district in France which is wei
worth visiting and has hitherto re NAMED UNEMPLOYED
by Americans. Next, wish to give you informa'
ton as from an eye witness, of the conditionphysi
cal and moralof the agricultural classes in France,
and then of the political opinions they entertain;
and how is probable they will conduct themselves
should another crisis arise or be forced upon the
couI y by the Partisan notabilities.
WHAT importance the Emperor Of the French
attaches to the opinions of the Bretons is proved by
the fact of his contemplated visit to it at very
early period-the pretence being visit to the Brest
feet-but the real purpose being canvass for popu
hrity amongst the descendants Of those who fought
for wears against the republic and who, when the
first Bonaparte had been overthrown We're amongst
the most eager and jealous OF theic countrymen to
welcome back the BourbOns to repudiate the eagle,
and restore the liy as the emblem OF their country
and its government.
Before enter into matters of political importance,
wish to say something Of Oman ITSELF / know Of NJ
place land ny knowledge Of the Continent is by no
means slight confned) that, think, would be
more interesting to person coming from the New
World to visit, than this city which is in itself an
antiquity of the Old World in most marvellous
state Of preservation. A single illu ration of its
great age will suffice. There but two churches
in the town, st. Malos and st. Sauveurs. The first
was erected at the same time that Canute the Dane,
was King of England, and the foundation of the
second was laid in the very same year that William
the Conqueror landed in England and fought the
battle of Hastings The churches are, notwithstand-
Here are the walls and ramparts still standing
adorned, not defaced with ivy and wild fowers-and
as firmly erect when their mangonels ballista and
petrera served by their frequent discharges to repc
the soldiers of the English King, Henry H., and to
deter even for the moment his valiant successor In
warfare, the Black Prince. Here too, is still stand
ing the house of 1.-The adye love- of the bavest best
and trues of knights in the great days of chivary
Duqueselin; here is the open place in which he
fought and conquered a cruel and treacherous Eng.
fish champion, ycleped Thomas Of Canterbury"
chambers and passages Ozark scene passages amongst
the rest) is the castle of Anne Of Brittany with her
stone chair of state in which she sat as sovereign
dispensed justice, and presided over the royal BAN
quet,
Let the doubters in the medieval times come here
and they will seas distinctly as they see the
broadway in New York-the things Of which they
hav raad in an
vision. palpable to the truth. Here are standing
memorials Of the past times-and here are, too, in
the very persons who joste You a, yoa Walk along
the living representatives of men that might be sup
posed to have died out centuries ago. Here are the
gigantic Gauls a. they were in the days OF Cmar-
Nam pierisgvw hom,nibus Calls prR masnitudins
covpoyu,u sssorum, brepiids nosfrG confempfui est
Here they are, still hulkng IN size and gait, and
still az disposed to undervalue the general race OF
Frenchmen "a their fathers were to despise the
news as mpetuous in their feelings, as ready 10
sent a supposed wrong, as prompt TO repent OF a
rash action as TO undertake IT, the same the very
same-as IL they were now to be described for the
first time by their Roman conqueror. Even In their
outward habiliments they are little changed from
their ancestors; for here you may see the sdgum
and the party-colorcd bracc9 for the wearing which
latter garment Tacitns casts an additional reproach
anon the memory of Yiteius. Here, in short Is the
pure old Celtic race in all its primitive simplicity,
with all its virtues and oil its falings unaduterated;
for this Is an ont of the way part OF the Continent
and there is rs little likeness In appearance, or
similarity in feeling between the Breton and the Par
sian as there is between Connaughtn,nn and Cock
new The men retain thor nationality in their cos
tune and their wives and daughters are worthy OF
such husbands and fathers. Their costume refer
20 the peasantry-is the same M you may see on an
ancient marble or Pompeihn panting-but stun
ali differing from each other Ia particular; that
IL In the extraordinary shape and form OF their snow
white caps-each district having cap OF peculiar
shape, some like sugar loafs, Others like military
efcers cooked hat others with large wings turned
nm ON the top OF the head, DC, so that the women
OF different parishes are at once recognizable by
their popularity in wearing their head gear.
Picture then this variety OF persons, and contrast
its costumes moving through town that's the same
in outward appearance as II was six or seven hun
ared wears ago. It's ancient houses surrounded with
still more ancient walls forty ,eet nlgn l,s proa1
then remember that all this IL placed on the top OF
high steep hill; at it, base on one side deep val
ley, and on all the others enclosed by the bright
waters of the river Rance; and then that the whole
looks out upon scene Of infinite yarietyan beauty
upon woods and water on distant hills, and FAR on
steeples Of old, old churches, and YOU have some
idea-and after all a very faint idea-of what a
lovely place il Oman, and how well worthy 10 IL OF
visit IRON those who feel interest In times gone
by, and wish 10 behold in all Its charms genuine
rural city in its falling poston-the central ehec'
of most magnificent landscape.
brittany Is now incorporated with France bui
an inhabitant Of Dunkrk is a. little disposed TO say
call himself Frenchman. The pure Breton Is proud
Of his nationality, and IL Is his boast that from the
first attempt made on the Independence of his com
try by Clovis in 500 his ancestors for no less period
than O23 years fought against the usurpston, eye
disputing Il with their valor, ever denying It with
arms in their hands. 60 long "a Brittany had Tho
strength 10 fight Il refused every species Of homage
and when the period came that y was too weak e
resist then Il either yielded such homage In a re
strcted FORM or offered its adhesion 80 other mon
archs on condition they would allies, aid IL In re
sistng France. Such, In few lines Is the histor,
of this large compartment OF the empire ruled ovel
by Napoleon III. The first thought, then, with
Breton IL not 1.-THE power "the greatness or "th'
glory of France but what tends 60 the welfare, th
happiness and the honor of Brittany.
In entertaining these sentiments II must not