Evening star., 1897-02-27

ands of foreigners make long stays in Paris
ana think they have seen France. Never
was there greater mistake. The saving
fsrls Is France" may have a political sig
hincance, but II Is utterly false so far as
concerns all things interesting to the tour
ist-
Some regret that European cities are be-
ing modernized. and rapidly losing their
mediaeval houses. The industrial prosperity
OF our era has swept away many of the
old landmarks, i'm spite of the effort of
governments and historical societies. If
those who bemoan the demolition of ancient
structures and enjoy suggestions of the
feudal ages should visit rural France they
would find enough to please the widest
iancy. The country seems full of small
towns. or which the streets are crooked
and the houses quaint as could be de-
siren- But most of these can be seen by
railroad.
wheel is the ample opportunity afforded OF
enjoying the scenery. In the north of
france the scenery is interesting and pic
turesque to higher degree than i'm most
parts or America In the south IL is won
derful beyond all account. The greatest
word painter living could give but a feeble
idea OF the weird impressiveness of the
landscape in some of the southern depart-
ments. OF this description was the scenery
on the road from Abb tTarn) to st. Sernin
(Aveyron). The land is sterile and the
population scanty. but the road is good.
though the grade is ascending slightly for
some miles. An immense cross on the top
of a distant hill adds much to the effect,
and 1t warns the travellers heart to feel
that he is still in Christian country.
though 1t be almost a desert. While still
eight kilos from St. Sernn the rider finds
himself on the edge Of precipice looking
way down into the deep valley at the little
village SO directly below that II almost
seems as though he could roll a stone onto
one Of the houses. And yet he is distant
from the place eight kilos by the winding
road.
Puy Upper Loire) is volcanic in its origin
and full of strange scenic effects. The ma
ture of the road makes exertion unneces-
sary for most of the distance, except, per
haps. to pedal-back This distance of
nearly twenty miles makes, probably. one
of the finest rides to be found in the world.
A ride very different from the last.
though most charming, Is from the village
of Fraissnet U-ozere) below the Cause
Mclean. where an easy decline rolls the
wheel through veritable fairy land. the
picturesque valley of the Tarnon to Flor
&C doZere).
A visit to one or more of the watering
places in the Pyrenees QIaux Bonnes. Faux
Chaudes, Argellez &c..) will repay the eff
FORTS but an attempt to go over one of the
mountains is likely to prove unsatisfac-
tory. The roads are poor. though often
rfdable, but the difficulty is to get clear
day. The mist is apt to be so dense after
2.00O or more feet is reached as to obscure
the view entirely, and render the effort
olsappolntlng- one OF the finest panoramas
to be had in the Pyrenees is on the descent
from Arrens to Argellez Upper Pyrenees)
From Castillores Lot ct Garonne) TO
Villeneuve the road is on high ground and
for some distance along ridge, giving the
rider most extensive view of the valley
on both sides. Then some fine coasting
into Villeneuve.
There are also fine descents from Chalus
Upper Nienne) to Thiviers Dordogne);
from Tnfviers to Periguex (Dordogne), a
coast of three kilos before entering Rerpe-
rae from Mussidan Dordogne) and several
miles down the Col di Montmirat 600
feeD, on the road from Florac into Mende
QoZere). RICHARD WARE