Autun 183 



ledge, have been committed by the peasants only; much has 

 been reported of brigands, but nothing proved. At Besangon I 

 heard of 800; but how could a troop of 800 banditti march 

 through a country and leave their existence the least question- 

 able ? — as ridiculous as Mr. Bayes's army incog. 



2nd. To Beaune; a range of hills to the right under vines, 

 and a flat plain to the left, all open and too naked. At the little 

 insignificant town of Nuys, forty men mount guard every day, 

 and a large corps at Beaune. I am provided with a passport 

 from the mayor of Dijon, and a flaming cockade of the Iters etat, 

 and therefore hope to avoid difficulties; though the reports of 

 the riots qf the peasants are so formidable that it seems im- 

 possible to travel in safety. Stop at Nuys for intelligence 

 concerning the vineyards of this country, so famous in France, 

 and indeed in all Europe ; and examine the Clos de Veangeau, of 

 100 journaux. walled in and belonging to a convent of Bernardine 

 monks. — When are we to find these fellows choosing badly.? 

 The spots they appropriate show what a righteous attention 

 they give to things of the spirit. — 22 miles. 



yd. Going out of Chagnie, where I quitted the great Lyons 

 road, pass by the canal of Chaulais, which goes on very poorly; 

 it is a truly useful undertaking, and therefore left undone; 

 had it been for boring cannon, or coppering men of war, it 

 would have been finished long ago. To Montcenis a disagreeable 

 country; singular in its features. It is the seat of one Monsieur 

 Weelkainsong's establishments for casting and boring cannon: 

 I have already described one near Nantes. The French say 

 that this active Englishman is brother-in-law of Dr. Priestley, 

 and therefore a friend of mankind ; and that he taught them to 

 bore cannon in order to give liberty to America. The establish- 

 ment is very considerable; there are from 500 to 600 men 

 employed, besides colliers; five steam engines are erected for 

 giving the blasts and for boring; and a new one building. I 

 conversed with an Englishman who works in the glass-house, 

 in the crystal branch; there were once many, but only two are 

 left at present: he complained of the country, saying there was 

 nothing good in it but wine and brandy; of which things I 

 question not but he makes a sufficient use. — 25 miles. 



4//z. By a miserable country most of the way., and through 

 hideous roads to Autun. The first seven or eight miles the agri- 

 culture quite contemptible. From thence to Autun all, or 

 nearly all, enclosed, and the first so for many miles. From the 

 hill before Autun an immense view down on that town, and the 



