FRANCE. 309 



there was nothing near Mirepoix that was 

 particularly deferving of notice ; but that 

 there were, near the Pyrennees, fome im- 

 provements carrying on by fome peafants 

 which I ought to fee; and M. Reaumur 

 added, that he had a relation, a Cure, who 

 Hved at Acqs, very near the place, who 

 he fhould viiit very fhortly, and if I would 

 accompany him he would take care I mould 

 have all the information I defired. This 

 was a fcheme that fuited me perfectly well ; 

 and, upon learning that he would fet off in 

 two days, I readily agreed to it. There was 

 another benefit alfo ; my man, though re- 

 markably fkilful in the patois of every part 

 of France, was at a lofs here fometimes to 

 underfland the peafants, which made me 

 not able to minute half the intelligence I 

 (hould otherwife; but M. Reaumur removed 

 this : he firfr, however, gave me an account 

 of the management of the farmers around 

 Mirepoix. 



Their lands are very varioufly managed ; 



fome are in the great culture, others in the 



fmall ; but the better conduct is always 



found in the former ; yet are the Jeafes very 



X 3 fhort, 



