No. 129.] 283 



South, the Alps on the East, and the Provinces of the River 

 Rhine and Belgium on the North. Our rivers all flow on so 

 gently that peril on them is not known; our cities are populous, 

 our villages numerous, our population animated, lively, posses- 

 sing rich vineyards, productive fields and numerous herds of ani- 

 mals. Almost everywhere a pure bright blue sky prevails over 

 us. Our climate is mild, temperate — almost without winter. 

 The springs and summers warm; but our lengthened autumns 

 keep up a perpetual verdure, permitting also active vegetation of 

 all sorts, grain abundant, esteemed wines, excellent vegetables, 

 and delicious fruits. To the travellers from northern nations, is 

 not our country really one whole garden when compared with 

 their cold, cloudy regions so rapidly stripped of their verdure 1 

 And is it not so to the traveller from the south, where a burning 

 sun dries up every thing almost. All other nations seem to be 

 placed around us to enjoy the advantages of our happy situation. 

 France resembles a beautiful woman upon whom nature has been 

 prodigal of charms, and who, disdaining the aids of apparel, in 

 the seducing simplicity of her native beauty commands admira- 

 tion. These great natural advantages call for rulers of es])ecial 

 ability and wisdom, who will make her above all rivalry. And 

 it calls upon every land owner to take care that all necessary 

 drainings, both for health and improvement of agriculture, fences 

 and hedges to defend the crops from animals; public and private 

 roads and paths in all convenient directions, in perfect order for 

 every intercommunication; as many trees in perfect order as are 

 necessary to shelter crops Irom severe winds, for embellishment 

 or other useful end; the removal of every dead or drying tree, 

 or such as are not in proper place; care and taste in building 

 country houses in place of many uncomfortable and disgraceful 

 ones iV)W standing; paint all with oil paint or with mineral tar, 

 and borrow from the Dutch their system of dwellings — neat inside 

 and out — their villages so coquettishly made up and preserved. 

 The country dwelling ought to be situated as to command the 

 utmost view of the whole plantation ; from hence as with a paint- 

 er's eye, mark where each plant and shade stands. 



