BRETON HOSPITALITY. 57 



image so assiduous and so general. To an Englishman 

 accustomed to the usual expenditure of the middle class, 

 the minute parsimony practised by all is despicable. 

 Doubtless there is less wealth in France than England, 

 for the many revolutions which have swept over the coun- 

 try have devoured its resources, and the constant division 

 of property at death prevents accumulation ; but when 

 parsimony is used on 364 days of the year, for the sake 

 of giving an over-grown ball, or other self-glorifying 

 and disproportionate exhibition on the 365th, it is evi- 

 dent that something else than prudence dictates it. The 

 people are poor in comparison with the English. In- 

 deed, how can it be otherwise? The means of getting 

 money can only exist in a limited degree, where agricul- 

 ture is backward and commerce trifling, and as to exports, 

 compared with the population, they are very small. I have 

 often amused myself in tracing the source of many of their 

 habits which differ from ours : and most are to be referred 

 to economy as the basis, and infringe sadly on hospitality. 

 For instance, the Frenchman seldom occupies a house ; he 

 lives under a roof it is true, but only occupies a story 

 or etage, or a part of one; one, two, or three rooms, 

 according to his family, and this whether rich or poor. 

 No spare room for a friend, for what would be the use of 

 paying so many francs a-year for a thing to be used only 

 now and then. Besides, are there not cafes and hotels? 

 This is the first check to the virtue. Then he seldom eats 

 a meal at home unless it be his breakfast. He dines at a 

 table d'hote, or e?i pension, and takes his coffee at a caf6, 

 and voila check the second; for, instead of receiving a 



