The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-09-25
MISS SUMMER IN FRANCE.
Miss Agnes Summer, of Newberry,
Writes Entertainingly of Her
Travels in Brittany.
Saint Jacut dc In Mcr,
Brittany, France.

'lcilcn ttoNlnccS. DurluE the SlN
weeks spent on her coast have
learned much of the character, GUS
toms and traditions of her people.
One Of the most important countries
OF ancient France, she is not only
famed for her history and legendary
lore, but especially for her wild and
picturesque scenery.
The BrctonS. who at one time uwu~
Ell the greater part Of France. were
gradually pushed westward by inva-
dcrs until only Il small territory along
the coast was left them. and here, en-
trcnchcd in their forest iaStncss. they
dcficd the intrusion of other races,
and The progress Of civilization. To-
day they preserve personality DIFF
fcrent from the other people of this
country. Their early religion was
Druldism, in which they held a firm
faith and sacrificed devotcdly to
their gods: they were the last people
to adopt Christianity but today arc
the most dcvout and conscientious
Catholics in France. There is scarce
ly a city or village where is not
found an abbey or convent, and ev-
cry village, however poor and OBJ
Scrrc it may be. boasts of Il hand
some church. Where the roads in
terscct and nj every port. rises ii high
cross or calvary. Another remark
able Fact is, that the RrrtunS have
always been ardent royalists and np-
posed t" Republican government. In
the large cities they are not unlike
the other people of France, but along
the coast they preserve II dress and
dialect peculiar To their race. They
are simple, honest. and pracahlr
! Content with their narrow life, they
never desire I" 20 beyond the limits
"r their village. As the men are most
| ~ fishermen aud absent from their
! home the greater part Of The year.
the burden Of the work of the farm
and the care of the home falls ln
the women.
Thclr dwellings are very quaint
wholly characteristic of their country.
There seems to bc but one model for
each village The first floor of the
house consists Of an immense room
where the family live. receive their
guests, prrpar" their meals, and dine.
The beds are built in the walls and
closed during the day, so that Il tiSi-
Tor secs only the large doors in the
wall. hr second floor consists Of
tw" on three rooms. while above lhrs,.
Is "rainrry. where they store their
grain.
P"SSin" through the interior of
Brittany. one views Il changing" pann-
rama Of mnuniaimS intcrSrctrd hy
valleys. groves Of oaks. plnirirS and
firlLS Of grain: but the scenery the
most wild and rnchanin" is found
along the coast Of the English Cham
mel. where tn" vrrdurr Of the land
seems /" unite with thr waters Of the
sea. This coast is of rocky cliffs.
not bleak and barren but covered
with trees. grass. and GRAIN The
grand old Breton forests no longer
exist. for civilization has robbed this
country Of her greatest attraction,
but wandering through the fields and
groves one discovers many ivy-covrr-
ed ruins Of ancient castles. walls and
towers. some Of which are said tn
have been built by the early RnmanS.
ST. .Jacui is near ihr centre pf this
section Of Brittany. From here it j.
very easy to max" excursions alrm.
the coast. This is Il rrompml"ry rt
land rNtrudln" oul inin the sea: on
one side the water is il beautiful
green and on the other "A ~ururolI,
turquoise blue while from the unint
there is Il minglin~ Of lhc two rulnr~
\r"nnd Tins peninsula are ni"h cliffs
Here many visitors come during .nr
summer months. Situated near the
EDGE Of the cliff and surrounded by
gardens Of trees and flowers i al
ancient abbey. inhabited hv IL,
monks before the law Of France
abolished their order. but used now as
a summer hotel. ON straight line
il front Of st. Jarut is the isle Dcs
Continued on page B.