154 RAMBLES OF A NATURALIST. 



lage, consists of a church, round which are grouped 

 ten or a dozen white houses furnished with red or 

 green blinds, and perhaps some fifty similar habi- 

 tations scattered over a space of about two square 

 miles, and enclosing within its limits several low 

 hills and small valleys, dotted over with clumps of 

 trees, and corn, and maize fields, which are every- 

 where intersected by narrow paths, shaded by haw- 

 thorn and wild plum trees. The cliffs, which are 

 broken by a sort of platform at about the elevation 

 of one of the principal groups of houses, sinks in a 

 rapid slope towards a small sandy harbour, which is 

 protected by two long ledges of rocks, which extend 

 on either side of it like natural jetties. On this 

 account Guettary is also well adapted for bathing, 

 and the cheapness of provisions, and the quiet and 

 isolation of the village, attract to it many of those 

 who dread being involved in the luxurious habits of 

 Biarritz, and who visit the sea rather for purposes of 

 health than pleasure. The primitive simplicity and 

 customs of the olden times still prevail at Guettary, 

 where the bathing is carried on in the most social 

 and familiar manner. The beach, which is exposed 

 to the sea, receives the full force of the waves, which 

 often roll in with considerable violence. For the 

 sake of making a better stand against the onset of 

 the breakers as they dash against the shore, it is 

 customary for the lady bathers, both young and old? 

 to advance hand in hand into the water ; and it is 

 truly a pleasant sight to watch the sort of joyous 

 anxiety with which they await the arrival of the 

 waves, each one springing aside to avoid the ad- 



