The St. Mary banner. (Franklin, Parish of St. Mary, La.) 1889-1931, 1914-11-21

OF the French provinces that
has retained its original charm.
One must go there to appreci-
ate the odd costumes and the
quaint language, their queer customs
connected with marriages, burials, par
dons and "Ihe blessing OF the sea;
customs such as one sees nowhere
else, says a writer in Town and Coun-
try. The soul Of this race bears the
imprint Of the country and origin.
They are dreamy by turns, poetical,
savage, devotedly attached to the ira
ditions Of the country and to its soil.
Almost all families Of village or part
of the country are related to each 9TH
er. hence the expression, Cousins
la mode de Bretagne." Weddings.
therefore, comprise sometimes hun
dreds, sometimes thousands Of guests.
When these are too numerous, tables
are set In the open for their accommo-
dalton. Their superstitions SAVIOR of
the Celts. from whence they are de-
scended.
Scenery 10 Fine.
The real characteristics Of the Brit
tany country are scarcely discernible
before one reaches the north OF
Nantes. French Brittany it is, OF
course. for one has to 60 way beyond
Vannes to find the first village where
the Armorican dialect is spoken, but it
is Brittany all the same, as is proved
by the rude granite that forms the
structure OF the island. by the general
character Of the cities and villages, by
the nature of the vegetation, and even
by the color Of the sky. Fine scenery
and splendid architecture are found all
through the whole basin of the Vii
aine. along the whole of this country.
Briar bushes and landes, alternately.
give 1t savage, grandiose aspect.
Seen from the tower Of a church. 1t
looks like a continuous forest Yet
woods are rare, in spite Of the fact
that one side of Brittany is called Ar
coat. which. in the language Of the
country, means land OF the forest"
in contrast to the other side. Armor.
which is "land Of the sea-"
l. The Breton cities seem in perfect
harmony with the savage appearance
Of their landscape. The smaller Brit
tany places are charming and the cha
teaux numerous. Blain, Chateaubri-
and, Wire, Fougeres, Oman. recall to
ones mind, by their ruins and by the
high walls lowered by their fortresses
(some of which are very well pre-
>served), the fact that for centuries
France and Brittany were two distinct
countries. sometimes friendly, but
more often on warlike terms. defying
each other. There Is much romantic
history connected with these interest
Ing places. In the somber. Manor de
Combourg. Chateaubriand. the re-
nowned author of Rene" and a deep
philosopher. lived his pensiye and SOL
itary youth. In the Chateau des Ro-
cheers, Madame de Sevigne came in
vain to seek days of quiet and peace
away from the conventions Of court
life. Such is the interior Of this side
OF Brittany. In the eastern part the
peasant Is agriculturally inclined.
while near the coast the children's
dreams are to become sailors. to be-
icing to the fishing expeditions Of
Nova Scotia or Newfoundland.
The Soul Of Brittany.
The course Of all Of Brittany's riv-
ers is divided into two parts. these in
some place or other Joining the ocean.
Such is the Rance, flowing from Saint
Malo to Oman It Ii splendid big
river running along magnificent
green coast with picturesque rocks
and charming paris. Above Oman 1t
becomes q rivulet Of minor impor.
lance. The past has left Its imprint
indelibly on this country. Mont Saint
Michel, built on sand. and rocks. is
crowned by superb towers and well
represents the very soul Of Brittany.
mystic yet warriorlike. A peaceful
convent, q wonderful Norman church
with a beautiful Gothic choir, towers
pierced by iron-barred windows and
containing prisons, old winding streets.
where plain bourgeois. In long past
years, erected their simple abodes at
the foot OF the church, az II wishing
to put themselves under the Lords
protection against the seas invasion
this Is Mont Saint-Michel