The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-09-21


MeSsrS EditorS,-We have oft paused
at the market-places in French cities to
note the peculiar forms and strange modes
of
The Peasant Population.
A brawny, muscular, hoarse voiced race it
is, and worthy offspring of those pois-
sardes who in the Revolution helped to
storm Versailles, and for mere pastime
as they passed thither, tore horse into
hundred fragments, devouring him raw
as sweet morsel Their faces are coarse
and lack intelligent meaning. In their
broadly built and lusty frames, however,
are revealed strong capacities for toll and
endurance. They are in general COM
fortably and tastefully clothed in velve-
teen or blue coats, and invariably about
the neck of each is bound parti- colored
handkerchief. We wish we could paint
the French peasant in his economical
dress. He is as brightly attired for his
rank as any nobleman, and as content
apparently with himself. AS an illus
tration of peasantry they are models for
the world. Fashion affects them not. On
them the political tornadoes, upturning
SO much in France, have left but slight
influence. They talk in the same patois
as ever. They move in nearly the same
narrow spheres of action and of enjoy
ment as did their grandparents, content
to accumulate little gold and hide it
away. They come to the city in the
same awkward vehicles, and they bargain
with their customers in the same grimaces
and shrugs which for ages have charac-
terized the French. Attracted by the
appearance of these French country-folk,
we decided to seek them in their actual,
every day life, and try
A Ramble Through the Farm Lands OF
Normandy,
the richest and most fertile agricultural
region in France. Accordingly, after
railroading some fifteen miles from the
city of Havre, we alighted at Harheur,
and went upon tenmile tramp into the
pure country. We entered upon a smil-
ing valley sprinkled with villages, and
characterized by pleasing gracefulness
and remarkable fertility. 1t offered that
blending Of pastoral life, with arabic land
farming and gardening, which is always
SO agreeable to the eye and imagination
The only stilted and ungraceful element
In this rural scene as indeed Of all
France, was the forest trees which are
not suffered to grow as they will, but are
denuded of their limbs for utility, but
surely not for beauty's sake. And yet
the woodlands, so bare of branches
permitted more vivid glimpses of the
beautiful green beneath and beyond. The
French will not allow even their trees tc
be melancholy, and compel nature &c
assume bright and jaunty air. Through
the valley there flowed stream, turned
oft from its bed and put to work in turn.
ing the wheels of industry. Almost
every bank on hillside had its Aowino
rivulet, the waters of which, from the
percolation through the chalk formation
were singularly transparent. Villages
and Houring mills on the banks of the
stream, at frequent intervals rustic
bridges thrown across the bed-and cat.
tie lowing on the brink, continually serve
to make out a rural picture very cool and
pleasant even on hot August day.
Thus we walked on, amid shade and
singing birds, and streams leaping and
laughing to their own music, until we
emerged on the broad plains of Norman
dy, much like the Illinois prairies-great
TAR stretching downs covered with gen.
erous harvests and far spreading carpets
OF clover, and odorous thyme and wild
flowers, that could not be trodden upon
without delight to more senses than one
Among the chief features of Norman
scenery we would remark, first of all
Thu Orchards and Gardens
France is, par excellence, the land oil
truitsSand vegetables, and flowers, and
we saw, in the ten miles of our tramp
more Of these than we have ever behefd
IN all our travels combined True +ho