A YEAR IN BRAZIL. 



June 9, 1883. I must now give some details of my 

 visit to Bordeaux. Passing the lie de Re" about 12.40, we 

 entered the line of buoys at the mouth of the Gironde at 

 2.30 p.m. The country on the north bank has a low coast- 

 line, parsemt with red-roofed white houses, and is prettily 

 wooded after passing the sandhills which border the Bay 

 of Biscay. On the south bank, the country is more undu- 

 lating and very picturesque, with many vineyards, chateaux, 

 and houses ; it is from these former that the well-known 

 wines Chateau Margaux, Lafitte, St. Julien, St. Estephe, 

 Latour, etc., are produced, and from the chateaux they 

 derive their names. 



Arrived at Pauillac, four of us went on board the tender 

 for Bordeaux. More of our men intended to go, but were 

 downstairs getting a comb or a tooth-brush ; and when we 

 were clear of the ship, they were to be seen wistfully gazing 

 after us. They were left behind. We had with us many 

 who were getting off at Bordeaux, and half a dozen who, 

 like us, went only for the night. Leaving Pauillac about 

 six, we reached Bordeaux about nine p.m. The town of 

 Pauillac, on the south bank, as seen from the river, appears 

 insignificant ; whereas it is really a very nice little place, 

 consisting of an esplanade bordered by grass and reeds, 

 coming down to the water, and mud- banks when the tide 

 is out. A wooden landing stage runs out into the river. 

 The houses are of irregular heights, one two-storied man- 

 sion being the Grand Hotel. Beyond this row of houses on 

 each side are avenues of trees and numerous haycocks. 



Going by river towards Bordeaux, for some distance on 

 each bank, the country is low but undulating, and prettily 

 wooded, and very green, with innumerable avenues of 

 poplars. The hay was being carried. Just opposite Pauil- 

 lac there is an island about midstream, our side of the 



