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 de la Mer,
Brittany, France.

DI1ItduS, lduCe.
From every point Of view I find
Brittany the most interest; Of the
French Provinces. During the six
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 Bretons, who at one time own
ed the greater part Of France, were
gradually pushed westward by inva-
ders until only small territory along
the coast was left them, and here, en-
trenched in their forest fastness, they
defied the intrusion Of other races,
and the progress of civilization. To-
day they preserve a personality diff
ferent from the other people Of this
country. Their early religion was
Druidism, in which they held a firm
faith and sacrificed devotedly to
their gods; they were the last people
to adopt Christianity but today are
the most devout 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
scure it may be, boasts Of hand
some church. Where the roads in
tersect and at every port, rises high
cross or calvary. Another remark
able fact is, that the Bretons have
always been ardent royalists and op-
posed to Republican government. In
the large cities they are not unlike
the other people Of France, but along
the coast they preserve a dress and
dialect peculiar to their race. They
are simple, honest, and peacable.
Content with their narrow life, they
never desire to 60 beyond the limits
Of their village. AS the men are most
" fishermen and 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 to
the women.
Their dwellings are very quaint,
wholly characteristic Of their country.
There seems to be but one model for
each village. The first floor OF the
house consists Of an immense room
where the family live, receive their
guests, prepare their meals, and dine.
The beds are built in the walls and
closed during the day, so that a tlsl-
tor sees only the large doors in the
wall. The second floor consists OF
two or three rooms. while above these
is erainery, where they store their
grain.
Passing through the interior Of
Brittany. one views a changing pano-
rama of mountains intersected BY
valleys, groves Of oaks, prairies and
fields Of grain; but the scenery the
most wild and enchanting is found
along the coast Of the English Chan
mel. where the verdure Of the land
seems to unite with the 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-cover-
ed ruins Of ancient castles, walls and
towers, some Of which are said to
have been built by the early Romans.
St. Jacut is near the centre Of this
section of Brittany. From here 1t IS
very easy to make excursions along
the coast. This Is a promontory OF
land extending out into the sea: on
one side the water is a beautiful
green and on the other gorgeous
turquoise blue-while from the point
there is mingling of the two colorS.
Around this peninsula are nigh cliffs.
Here many visitors come during the
summer months. Situated near the
edge Of the cliff and surrounded by
gardens of trees and flowers Is ali
ancient abbey, inhabited BY the
monks before the law Of France
abolished their order, but used now as
l.