THE SPORTSMAN IN FRANCE. 309 



If night overtake the wanderer, he is 

 sure of finding a good bed under the 

 poorest peasant's roof; the commonest 

 labourer has this solace after his daily- 

 toil ; for, even amongst an all but starv- 

 ing population, I have ever found good 

 mattresses and clean homespun linen 

 sheets. 



The inland departements are well stocked 

 with game of all kinds. On the Dijon 

 road, about ten miles from Montargis, 

 there are some splendid preserves. 

 Some friends of mine were on a visit to 

 Mr. Kalkbrenner, the celebrated pianiste, 

 about eighteen years ago, at his beautiful 

 seat Praslin, near Nogent sur Vernisson, 

 and had most extraordinary sport on his 

 estate ; they described the quantity of 

 game as being perfectly incredible. This 

 property has been sold, I believe, since the 

 death of Madame Kalkbrenner • whoever 

 purchased it has as good shooting at his 



