122 MORE POT-POURRI 



monastery. And surely no monks, skilful as they were 

 in the selection of localities, ever chose a more charming 

 spot for a small villa -like residence where they could 

 retire from the austerities and the duties of the convent. 



' Situated on the heights which rise on the right 

 bank of the Loire at this point in its course, and 

 immediately over the little faubourg of Tours, St. 

 Symphorien, it commanded an extensive and beautiful 

 view of the river, the town of Tours, and the rich 

 plains to the south watered by the rivers Cher and 

 Indre. The grounds, I fancy, were in extent about five 

 acres, but there were vineyards and other appurtenances 

 belonging to the estate, though not comprised in the 

 lease, which made an almost boundless playground for 

 children, and were so varied by terraces, caves in the 

 side of the hill, and other strange incidents of site, that 

 a great excitement was lent to the games of mimic 

 wars and surprises at which we were constantly playing. 

 There was a large tank under one side of the old house 

 — you descended to it by steps from the garden — and 

 armed with candles, for it was pitch-dark, and provided 

 with planks, we used to embark on its water and navi- 

 gate the mysterious cavern — an amusement that led to 

 wet feet and friction with Mrs. Hunt, the old nurse, in 

 consequence. 



' The front part of the house was modern ; it stood 

 on a platform raised above the large formal garden 

 before it. The boundary of the garden was a terrace- 

 walk looking down on the river and the town. There 

 were no steamers, or very few, in those days, and, of 

 course, no railway ; and the long strings of flat-bot- 

 tomed barges, with their great white square sails, that 

 carried the merchandise from Nantes up the river when 

 the wind served, made a striking feature in the scene. 



'There was a wine -press attached to the rambling 



