“LA GERBETIERE” 141 
“La Gerbetiére” is now a small estate of less than 
fifty ares, or one and a half acres, of land. The build- 
ings, which form a quadrangle with enclosed court, oc- 
cupy a corner next the side street, and stand about 200 
feet back from the main highway leading from Couéron 
to Port Launay. The extent of the original property 
cannot now be determined, but Lieutenant Audubon, 
who retired at the age of fifty-seven, was never a farmer 
on a large scale. The original house, which probably 
dates from early in the eighteenth century, has an east- 
erly wing or L, continued into a long, low section 
through which the court is now entered from the road at 
the side; this was probably added by Jean Audubon, but 
the westerly end and wing are a more modern accretion, 
built for the accommodation of additional tenants, as 
many as three families having occupied the place in 
1857. 
“La Gerbetiére” was entered from the main street 
by a small door which pierces the high enclosing wall, 
and leads the visitor into what was formerly an orna- 
mental garden, the original design of which can still be 
traced. At the time of my visit, however, this entrance 
had long ceased to be an avenue of response. Encour- 
aged by the sight of a peddler’s cart, I walked up the 
side street and entered the court. Here the response 
was prompt and vigorous enough, and from the guard- 
ians of the place, one of which was chafing at his chain 
close to the doorway. I crossed rather gingerly to an 
open hallway, opposite the main entrance, and knocked 
repeatedly, noting here that rooms opened to this small 
entrance hall on either side, and that a steep stairway 
led to others above. At last, during a temporary lull 
in the barking of dogs, the “tok-tok” of sabots -was 
heard on the stairs, and I handed up my card with one 
