New-York tribune., 1873-12-09

MITE UirsrslTloss ny GUsrAvE DoRE svo. pp. sls |
Henry Holt 4 Co.
In this dainty holiday volume, NJ. Taine offers a
truce 10 the subtleicS of metaphysics and the refine
ments of artistic and literary criticism for Summer
ramble among the breezy forests and quaint villages
Of the mountain frontier. His tour (which made
III 1861 was uupretending in purpose and modest in
execution lie lays aside the philosopher and grace
fully plays the part of busy idler He claims little
merit except that of having visited the which
he describes But with sincere penitence covered
with Fchwckian sackcoth and ashes, he bewails his
Shortcomings. He can boast of no hairbreadth es-
capeS nor Incredible adventures He has not been the
first TO scale any inaccessible mountain. Nor has he
broken either leg arm. been eaten by the bears
lie has saved the life of no heiress from watery
grave, nor plunged one into precpitate marriage.
He has not assisted at single duel nor experienced
any bloody rencontres with brigands OF smugglers.
Without being hit of hero he confesses that hav-
ing walked much. and talked little, he merely un-
dcrtakcs recount the pleasure of eye and his
vagTant pastimes.
After brief sojourn at Bordeaux Bayonne, Biar-
ritz aud Pam whose gayeties heglances at in a spirit
of brilliant peIsifage NJ Taine pursnes his journey
along the valley of Ossau until be finds himself IN
the heart of the mountains. The horizon is shut OIL
aud Mount GOurzy robed in forests bars the route
Beyond aud above the peak of the Ger lifts its bald
head. silVeTed with SHOWS, and on the flank OF the
mountain, at the turn of rock, in the shelter OF
small gorge, stands the village of Faux BonDes It's
aspect disappointment to the traveller IN search
of the picturesque. Heexpected tofnd specimen OF
old country town in all It's romanticand delightful
negligence. Instead of which there was nothing
but Pans street and the promenades of the BoiS de
Boulogue. Never was a rural region less rural. The
houses were drawn up in line, like arrow of soldiers
rarrying arms, presenting ludicrous contrast with
the green ridges that flank them. OF all places IN
the world EauX- Bonnes is the most unpleasant on a
rainy day. and rainy days were frequent there. The
clouds are ongnlfed between the two walls of the
valley, and crawl slowly along half way up the
hight The SUBMITS disappear the floating masses
together and having outlet fall in fine cold
ram. The village becomes a prison the fog creeps
to the earth and envelopes the houses; the English
might think themselves in London.
The visitors look through the window panes az the
1umnled of the the water that drps from
woods they listen to the eaop Of belsted riders who
return with enging aud pendent skirts like hne BIRDS
their plumaCe disOrdered by the rain; they Try
whist IN their despondency some go down TO the read
ing and ask Tor the most hlOOdstaned pages OF
Paul f6va or Frederic souhe; they can read nothing
the ClOomest dramas; they discover eauings TO-.
ss1ssnSrjon :" TSey look at the clock and bet6ink
themselves that the doctor has ordered them TO drink
coats With an aIf Of resignation, and climb long
f slope Of the streaming road the lines OF gla
they come, splashng through the water, and seat
his srup-hask from It's numbered place on sort
O eagee. aud the tbrong Of the drinkers form IN line
here amid such ideness the mind goes sleep the fog
puts end TO ideas. and you follow the crowd me-
hnd you look at objects without RECEIVING from them
any reaction After the first glass you wait an hour be-
fore taking another; meanwhile you march up and
cowD, elbowed by The dense gronPs, who drag Them
seat be had except two wooden benches where the
ladies with their feet resting upon the damp stones;
weather Is always fine. Weared and detected faces
pass before eyes without awaking any interest.
FOR the twentieth time you look over the marble
1rinkets the shop with razOrs and scissors map tat
hangs the wall What il there that one is not ca
pabe Of rainy day. If obliged to keep for
hour between four walls amidst the buZ1ng of two hnd
red peopel You study the posters contemplate assdu-
ousy some figures which pretend TO represent the man
neIs OF tae country taese are elegant ana TSsy ssep
than themselves You stretch your neck out at
are soaking Their feet in a trough of water. all in
ike school-children on cleaning and excursion
inS ap6 Sd y"nTseVes 0teGi in close eoGyersaton
with your chest Of drawers and your lightstand.
The inhabitants Of the valley are peculiar race.
They have gentle, intelligent, and somewhat sad
physiOgnomy. The soil Is too poor for the vivacity
that the wine of the Sonth and an easy life give TO
their neghbOrs of Languedoc The men thin
and pale; their bones project their large features
are weather-bcaten. like those OF their mountains
perpetual struggle against the soil has sunted the
women as well as the plants. Their eyes have "A
vague EXPRESSION of melancholy and reflection. in
view Of these facts, NJ. Taine cannot resist the
temptation to give little airing to his favorte the
ory They illustrate the effect of outward inilu-
ences the formation of character. The ineessant
impressions of body and soul in the long run, he
marks modify both body and soul. The race molds
the individual, the country molds the race. de-
gree OF heat in the air and of inclination IN the
ground j. the first cause of faculties and of
A hundred or w miles I carriage.
are assured prove that the soil molds the type. A
little further up in the valley, where chestnuttrees
abound. from which the people find a hearty nOur-
ishnent, you will see cOuntenances red with slug
gish blood and set with a thick beard feshy heavy
limbed bodies massive machines for labor. OF the
moral influence OF the locality in Of its conspic
uous aspects NJ Taine diseouTses as follows;
Disinterestedness is not q mountain virtue In poor
country the first want want OF money The dispute Is
10 know whether they shall consider strangers
ar harvest; bOth opinions are true we are prey
triHng capable OF showing the dexterlty and the
ardor VIII which they will SKIN Mint. ,n,.o.
upon his trouserS An hour after she brings IN the
ING the effect of her demand "It is sou," said she
will plain later how great sum the sou Is IN this
Paal draws out in silence aud gives 1t TO her
Jeanette reres on tpoe as far as the door THINKS
button: An! that is a fine button! "a pause) did
NOT ind hat in my box. Another ana longer pause)
i bought that at the grOeers; IL costs SOUP She
draws herself MP aDMousy; the proprietor or the
Irousers stlI without speaking gives a second sou.
IL = eiear that she has struck npoD OF sous.
Jeanuc tffFIoes out and "A moment after reopens the
door sne has resolved her conrse, and In shrfn,
5nercpg vocf. with admirable yolubihty; 81 had no
Dread mad buy thread; used good deal OF
thread good thread, The button WORT come of.
Isewed 1t on fast; cost Scu' Paul pushes across
the taele the third
Two hours later. Jeauuette who has been ponderine
the reappears She prepares breakfast with
The greatest possible she takes pains TO wipe The
spot her voice. she walks nOseessy she
is charming in her little attentions then she says,
putng forth all sorts OF obsequous gtaces 81 ought