The Portland daily press., 1892-10-28

HOuse ana from winch WERE W w he'A
charming views of land and sea. we re-
manned here two days, romed through the
grand hall of the abbey, crawled into the
horrible
Dungeons of the Old Fortress,
walked upon the sands at low tide,
watching the fisher folk gather small
shell fish that hardly seemed worth the
trouble to pick up, but which form their
principal food, andsdrifted around the
great rock at high tide in boat guided
by Breton boatnleaL In the evening we
slipped our chocolate or cafe noir under
the battlements, the lights OF Chinese
lanterns. after which we climbed up the
winding stairs, each with his lantern II
hand, and retired by the light OF the
same. The time spent here was unique
and thoroughly delightful.
Leaving the old Mount we passed
the orchards of Normandy at time when
the September sun was coloring the
apples and pears throughout this fruit
full land. The whole country looked the
home of peace, and plenty. Here every
house, had pear trees trained like grape
vines on its walls, loaded with delicious
| fruit which we bought in the towns 1or
| next to nothing.
When we arrived at the quaint
IA Old City of Caen
they were celebrating the Tooth annlver-
sary of the republic, and at night the IL
Illuminated streets were filed with march
| ing band, while crowds lined the side
walks. Our party caught the general
enthusiasm, we procured large Ameri-
can flag, by the side Of which we placed
the tri-color Of France, formed IN line,
| and to the tune Of Marching Through
| Georgia. executed on tin whistles by
| two of our party, we paraded through
| the principal streets to the wonder and
admiration of all beholders. Hating at
| cafe we drank long life to the two re-
publics, and our sentiments were cheered
| to the echo by the multitude who had
| found out who and what manner OF men
we were. Il have marched in many pro-
cessions in this country, but | certainly
never expected to find myself in line in
France waving French flags behind the
| stars and stripes proudly carried aloft by
Mr.. John Calvin Stevens. Truly that
| was a night long to be remembered,
| A few more days during which we
visited the fashionable watering place OF
Trouville, and the city Of Rouen. and our
tour came to an end as party, the mem
bers scattering in various directions, and
returning to America at different times.
| The Roads of France
are so good that it would be difficult to
think in what way they could be i'm
proved. They are hard, smooth apd
graded with the greatest skill. Ruts,
sand or stones are unknown quantities
And the best of it is, lis like this all over
France, SO that one may always count on
good roads. Everywhere along the road
side were piles of road material ready fol-
use when needed, and far from city OF
village we often met the roadmen care
| fully filling up any little depression, cut
ting away the encroaching turf or sweep
ing into piles any refuse that had accu-
mulated since he last went over the
1 ground. SUCH highways enable the far
mers to haul enormous loads, and the
| size of some of some of these is truly as
tonishing The 5carts are very heavy,
| but are well built, and mounted on
\ wide-tired wheels that do not cut up the
road, but roll over it with the greatest
| ease. On our wheels we could count
| upon doing ten miles an hour, and on one
| occasion in mere exhilaration of spirits
the entire party accomplished p miles il
| one hour and twenty-seven minutes min
| utes. HCoastingo was a constant delight
and friendly contests were OF everyday
occurrence.
The party travelled in small groups
the men who liked to ride fast
| Hurrvinpaand Racing With
each other, the others taking their time
stopping when anything of interest APP
/ peared, sketching, photographing, etc
But at meal time every man was OF
deck.
The towns and cities of France are
charming places, to visit, full of life ano
and color, and often highly picturesque
In the evening the brilliantly lighted
cafes afford fine opportunity to see the
life of the place while enjoying the coffee
and chocolate, the like of which cannot
be found outside of France. The great
cathedrals of Amiens, Paris, Charities
Caen and Rouen, to say nothing OF many
others not SO important, are marvellous
creations, and the chateaux OF Touralne
| present a
Complete Series of Pictures
in stone of the history of France for ovel
thousand years. Ample time was al
lowed to see everything of interest il
each place we visited.
The hotels were notified of our coming
in advance, and on our arrival we foune
i our names posted in the Office with the