Tarar 307 



of a king, queen, and dauphin of France actual prisoners; I, 

 therefore, accepted his proposal and we set off after dinner 

 to-day. In about ten miles come to the mountains. The 

 country dreary; no enclosures, no mulberries, no vines, much 

 waste, and. nothing that indicates the vicinity of such a city. 

 At Arnas, sleep at a comfortable inn. — 17 miles. 



2,0th. Continue early in the morning to Tarar; the mountain 

 of which name is more formidable in reputation than in reality. 

 To St. Syphorien the same features. The buildings increase 

 both in number and goodness on approaching the Seine, which 

 we crossed at Roane; it is here a good river, and is navigable 

 many miles higher, and consequently at a vast distance from the 

 sea. There are many ilat-bottomed barges on it, of a consider- 

 able size. — 50 miles. 



2,1st. Another clear, fine, sunshine day; rarely do we see 

 anything like it at this season in England. After Droiturier the 

 woods of the Bourbonnois commence. At St. Gerund le Puy 

 the country improves, enlivened by white houses and chateaux, 

 and all continues fine to Moulins. Sought here my old friend, 

 Monsieur L'Abbe Barut, and had another interview with Mon- 

 sieur le Marquis Degouttes concerning the sale of his chateaux 

 and estate of Riaux ; I desired still to have the refusal of it which 

 he promised me, and will, I have no doubt, keep his word. Never 

 have I been so tempted on any occasion as with the wish of 

 possessing this agreeable situation, in one of the finest parts of 

 France, and in the finest climate of Europe. God grant that 

 should He be pleased to protract my life I may not in a sad old 

 age repent of not closing at once with an offer to which prudence 

 calls and prejudice only forbids! Heaven send me ease and 

 tranquillity for the close of life, be it passed either in Suffolk or 

 the Bourbonnois ! — 38 miles. 



January i, 1790. Nevers makes a fine appearance rising 

 proudly from the Loire; but on the first entrance it is like a 

 thousand other places. Towns thus seen resemble a group of 

 women huddled close together: you see their nodding plumes and 

 sparkling gems till you fancy that ornament is the herald of 

 beauty; but on a nearer inspection the faces are too often but 

 common clay. From the hill that descends to Pougues is an 

 extensive view to the north; and after Pouilly a fine scenery, 

 with the Loire doubling through it. — 75 miles. 



2nd. At Briare the canal is an object that announces the 

 happy effects of industry. There we quit the Loire. The 

 country all the way diversified ; much of it dry and very pleasant. 



