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38 GRAPE CULTUKE AND WINE-MAKING. 



prevents it from becoming dangerously large ; and both man and 

 beast may travel all over France with perfect security and with 

 pleasure. The meadows are generally shaded by poplars, planted 

 in rows. The banks of the river and canal are also ornamented 

 in the same manner, which has a very pleasing effect on the eye. 

 We passed through many small villages, where there are some 

 very ancient cottages built of gray stone, or still having the thatch- 

 ed roof. In the distance can be generally seen some chateau, 

 peeping from beneath innumerable shade-trees. 



The town where the train stops has several sugar manufactories 

 surrounding it. After leaving this town the country begins to be 

 hilly. The strata on the soil is lime and a mixture of magnesia 

 cement. The whole is planted with vines, even the steepest hills, 

 which a person ascends with difiiculty. The vines here also show 

 very yellow leaves and sprouts. Across the meadow, which is 

 about two miles wide, on the left side of the road, the ground rises 

 again into hills, all of which are planted with vines. 



During our journey we passed through several tunnels of dif- 

 ferent lengths, but the last, about twenty miles from Dijon, was at 

 least five or six miles long. 



At six o'clock we arrived in Dijon ; went to the Hotel de la 

 Cloche, where, after washing off the dust that almost buried us, 

 we took dinner at the table d'hote. It was the finest dinner I 

 have eaten since the beginning of my tour. There were more 

 than a dozen dishes neatly served up and delicately cooked. 

 After dinner we went out to look at the city. Walking through 

 its principal streets we saw the City Hall, which is a fine, ancient 

 stone building. The Cathedral, a time-honored edifice, with finely- 

 proportioned columns and 'many Bible scenes carved in stone, 

 may also be seen. 



After taking a cuj:) of coffee we returned home and addressed 

 a letter to Professor Ladrey, and inclosed the letter I received to 

 him from the editor of VEcIio du Pacific. I requested the favor 

 of a personal interview. After dispatching this letter we retired, 

 well satisfied with the city, dinner, and excellent bed. 



I arose at seven o'clock, after passing a sleepless night. The 

 whistle of the night-trains, the rolling of the omnibuses to and 

 from the stations, kept me awake the whole night ; and in the 

 morning the chattering of men and women, the notes of a musical 

 donkey immediately under my window, the shrill voice of the 

 venders of fruits, vegetables, etc., deprived me of my morning's 



