A Spring Ramble in Normandy. 8 1 



visited, it was determined to pass on further, 

 taking a look at the Dives where it passes by 

 the large village of Mezidon ; but it was in 

 exactly the same state as the Toucques. The 

 accounts as to fish were contradictory ; but it 

 seems doubtful whether the trout are numer- 

 ous enough to make it worth while for the 

 angler to take the Dives into his calculations. 

 Faute de mieux, it seemed the only course, 

 after Caen had been thoroughly Adsited, and 

 consequently the second most remarkable 

 town of Normandy had been made familiar to 

 the mind, to turn back into the department of 

 the Eure, to try what the Charentonne at Ber- 

 nay was like ; and if that were useless, finally 

 to make the best of the Iton near Evreux, 

 which I had of old discovered to be a good 

 trout- stream. Bernay is a town charmingly 

 situated much more primitive in its manners 

 and customs than some of the larger Norman 

 towns. Thus, the maitre d'hotel sat down to 

 dinner as one of the company, and in all 

 respects considered himself the equal of his 

 guests ; whilst at the same time, with true 

 French tact, he was always on the qui vive to 

 take care that every one obtained what they 

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