UNCLE IN ENGLAND. 249 



and where they had seen comfort and plenty rise 

 out of a bare and rocky valley ; a place which, 

 with their endeavours to shelter and beautify it, 

 and with the ornament of a remarkable group of 

 fine old walnut trees on the hill behind the house, 

 was now quite picturesque. The poor around 

 them had also reason to like the change, for 

 many a distressed family were now employed, 

 and many an ignorant child was taught as well 

 as clothed by Madeleine. But her father had 

 laid out all his ready money on the vineyard 

 and on a large stock of cattle ; so that every thing 

 depended on the success of his plans. 



According to the custom of the country, their 

 cattle were sent every summer with those of the 

 neighbours, to the fresh air and sweet pasture of 

 the mountains. They were all intrusted to the 

 care of one person, who during the season lived 

 on the top of the mountain, in a little wooden 

 hut, called a chalet. There the milk of the cattle 

 was collected ; and in eight days after the cows 

 had been driven up to the common pasture, the 

 owners assembled, and the quantity of milk from 

 each cow was weighed. The same thing was 

 repeated once in the middle of summer ; and at 

 the end of the season the whole quantity of 

 cheese and butter was divided in due proportion. 

 The cattle were then driven back to the vallies, 

 when there was a general festival, in which the 

 whole commune joined. All the young people 



