FRANCE. 53 



\vas quite neglected. 1 expected to reach 

 Chalons by night, but found I mould be 

 caught in the dark. About half-way, there- 

 fore, I turned afide from the road, to a 

 little village within fight, which, when I 

 arrived at it, I found to be called Bellay. 

 It confifted of not more than half a fcore 

 houfes. Upon enquiring of a tolerable well 

 drefled farmer-looking man for an inn, he 

 told me there was none in the village ; and, 

 upon my exprefling my concern at this, he 

 readily offered his farm-houfe to accommo- 

 date me, as well as in his power. I ac- 

 cepted his offer, and he immediately con* 

 ducted me to it ; introducing me to his 

 wife, an elderly woman, to three young 

 women, his daughters, and told me he had 

 three fons, who would foon come in from 

 their work. I was delighted with the ap- 

 pearance of the whole family. Upon the 

 farmer's explaining the reafon of my 

 coming, I was received with the mod ani- 

 mated expreffions of friendmip, hofpitality, 

 and regard. They were affcmblcd in a large 

 room, which h;id fomewhat the appearance 

 of a hall: at one end of it, a table was 

 ready for the work-people to fup; at the 

 E 3 other 



