Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-08-28
On looking at such things one realizes that

he is in
AN OLD, OLD COUNTRY
Where have passed many generations be.
| fore him.
There are three roads by which AFRO
matches is reached from Asnelles there
Is the wagon road, which is long and con .
paratively undressing then there is the
| path leading over the fataises which is de-
ightful, Tor one walks amidst tall grass
and beautiful flowers, and when on the
summit has a magnificent and extensive
view of the sea and the country around.
There is quite slope from Asneiles to the
summit, but on the other side one comes
tumbling down on to Arromanches a
plane too much inclined for the comfort of
ones heels. At low tide there is pleas
ant road along the beach with the excep-
ton of few yards, where one must jump
along the stones, just at the entrance OF
Arromanches. Those VINO do not care to
enjoy the attractions Of the little town are
satisfied to don their espaarites without
stockings and walking far out to the waters
edge pass the turn and reach some curious
old rocks further beyond, where are always
seen i uu1llDST VI CEdD- AlUHltko s-lNl JEO4lIo-
cuous visitors in search of curiosties.
Arromanches lately had It's fete, when
there was grand and exciting time
throughout the little town. The country
people for miles around came to take
part in it, and the affair was impor-
tant, for the Prefet at Caen arrived TO
superintend the ceremony. There was a
regatta, in which the sailors and fishermen
took part. Tents were ranged along the
dixie, and that which contained the Prefet
and his invited guests was handsomely
decorated with flags, nets and emblems of
the fisherman. The scene was very pretty
and the race exciting but considerable
confusion ensued, created by the ambitious
sailors who warmly disputed the prizes.
The Mayor, who is a candidate for
political position, endeavored to satisfy
them all by gliding piece of money into
the hand OF each, and contidentially assur-
ing him it was he who proved himself the
hero OF the day. While the visitors and
dignitaries of Arromanches occupied the
tents, the people and the peasants stationed
themselves over the entire surface OF the
steep hill leading to the beach, from whence
they had
FINE VIEW
OF the entire ceremony. The country
people had brought in their wagons their
provisions for the entire day; they also
brought with them small stoves, which
they placed on the hill. The chief cere-
mony of the fete to them was the roasting
of ducks, which was performed by digging
holes in the ground, building fire within,
and extending the duck above to brown in
the open air. They had all brought their
cider in large stone jars, and as they sat
eating and drinking in jolly good humor Of
groups of ten and to the number OF three
or four hundred, they presented most pic
turesque sight. Aside from the little
booths and amusements common to all
fetes, there were diversions such as take
place in most all towns situated on the
coast. The principal one was the mat de
cocagae-a tall mast planted in the ground,
thickly covered with yellow soap, which
had been rubbed on for the occasion, and
at the top of which floated flag; near
the top was attached hoop on which
hung at regular distances several prizes,
composed OF silver watch as the most
important, a silver cup, a silver knife and
IOFk. Il ltA VI luublbl tLNl SilNCl dOlAtslc az
tached by colo-ed ribbons; sometimes
pantaloons and other equally substantial
prizes are hung in the same manner. All
persons present are at liberty to strive for
the prizes by climbing the slippery mast
and helping himself. Each one who
mounts is permitted to carry
A BAG OF ASHES
Attached around his waist, with which he
covers the mast as he proceeds; he who
arrives first of course helps himself to the
best prize, and in fact he deserves it, for
the ascent is difficult and painful until sew
eral have passed up with their bag of ashes.
The Normans are heavy and dull, and after
few Intellectual attempts abandoned the
race. 1t happened that a band of strolling
saltimbaaques were present at the fete; in
fact, it is their business to follow up all the
fetes of the country around. Among them
were two bright boys, as handsome and
their slight forms and constant gymnastic
exercises they succeeded in accomplishing
the difficult feat, and climbed up to carry
away one prize after another, to the con-
sternation and anger of the inhabitants,
whose money had furnished the prizes.
After all had been gathered there remained
the flag at the very top, whose capture
brought bright silver dollar (; that also
was taken, but the young lads had earned
all they obtained, for the ashes covered
their faces and entering their eyes almost
blinded them, and besides rendered them
SO hideous that they scarcely appeared hu-
man beings. VAL.