BEAUNE. 



113 



in, and the plantation finished. They told me that after 

 these vines were three years old, the strongest of them 

 would be selected to fill another row between each of the 

 present row, by the system of provinage, the same as I 

 had seen at Hermitage ; and thus a space of 15 inches 

 only would be left between each plant in every direection. 

 The vines adjoining had not more space allowed, although 

 the soil appeared exceedingly fertile. They said it would 

 yield a good ordinary wine, but not a fine wine. 



The plain between Chagny and Beaune, lying to the 

 south-east of the range of hills, which, from the value of 

 their produce, give the name of Cote (TOr to the depart- 

 ment, is extremely rich, and to all appearance capable of 

 yielding golden harvests of corn, as the hills do of wine. 

 The greater portion of it, however, was planted with vines 

 on both sides of the road. NearChagnyit appeared lighter, 

 with a larger admixture of stones, and on approaching 

 Beaune, it was a rich brown loam. A portion of the soil 

 taken from where the men were planting was very slightly 

 calcareous. Towards the top the range of hills, which are 

 of no great elevation, not nearly so high or so steep as 

 Hermitage, was not planted, but seemed to be in a state 

 of nature, or in pasturage. The hill of Hermitage was 

 planted to the top. 



Thuy^sday, 15th December, Dijon. — Having joined the 

 diligence at ten last night, I arrived here at three this 

 morning. After breakfast I proceeded to the house of 

 the merchants to whom I had brought a letter from 

 Marseilles, but found they were both from home ; neither 

 was there any person belonging to their establishment 

 who could in any way forward my views. I applied to 

 the innkeeper; and after telling him the object of my 

 journey, inquired if he were acquainted with any of the 

 proprietors of the best vineyards. He said yes ; that he 



