Feminine Taslc in Rural Affairs '2<S.) 



Now, as a contrast to tliis, here is a little fragment -a 

 mere bit - - but enough to show the French feeling about 

 country life. It is from one of Madame de Sevignc's 

 charming letters; and, fond of society as she was, she cer- 

 tainly had as much of love of the country as belongs to her 

 class and sex on her side of the channel. It is part of a 

 letter written from her country home. She is writing to 

 her daughter, and speaking of an expected visit from one of 

 her friends: 



"It follows that, after I have been to see her, she will conic lo see 

 me, when, of course, I shall wish her to find my garden in good order; 

 my walks in good order those fine walks, of which you are so fond. 

 Attend also, if you please, to a little suggestion in passing. You are 

 aware that haymaking is going forward. Well, I have no haymakers. 

 I send into the neighboring fields to press them into my service; there 

 are none to be found; and so all my own people are summoned to make 

 hay instead. But do you know what haymaking is? I will tell you. 

 Haymaking is trie prettiest thing in the world. You play at turning the 

 grass over in a meadow; and as soon as you know that, yon know how to 

 make hay." 



Is it not capital? We italicize her description of hay- 

 making, it is so French, and so totally unlike the account 

 that the Duchess would have given Mr. Colman. Her 

 garden, too; she wanted to have it put in order before her 

 friend arrived. She would have shown it, not as an English 

 woman would have done, to excite an interest in its rare 

 and beautiful plants, and the perfection to which they had 

 grown under her care, but that it might give her friend a 

 pleasant promenade. 



Now we have not the least desire, that American wives 

 and daughters should have anything to do with the rough 

 toil of the farm or the garden, beyond their own household 

 province. We delight in the chivalry which pervades this 

 whole country, in regard to the female character, and which 

 even foreigners have remarked as one of the strongest 

 national characteristics.* But \ve \vould gladly have them 



* M. Chevalier, one of the most intelligent of recent French travellers, 

 says, in his work on this country -- "Not only docs the American me- 



