THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 87 



handled by the gens d'armes, who have 

 strict orders to demand this document 

 from every chasseur; but, more than all, 

 it protects the holder from the incivility 

 of these mounted ruffians — a legion of 

 functionaries I abhor most transcen- 

 dantly. 



It was not until the 2nd of January 

 that my friends would allow me to take 

 my departure from Rennes, and only 

 then upon my promising to pay them an 

 early visit. After a cold, comfortless 

 journey, attended with a string of dis- 

 agreeable delays and stoppages, caused 

 by the execrable roads, I reached Quim- 

 per. In the worst possible humour, I 

 took up my quarters at the Hotel de 

 France, and it was a day or two before 

 I could bring myself to comply with the 

 instructions of my compatriotes, in ex- 

 ploring the town and its beautiful en- 

 virons. I soon shook off my fit of spleen. 



