540 
Rural Economy of France since 1789. 
zation wliich is found in many other parts of France, but which 
is nowhere so strongly marked as here. There are scarcely any iso- 
lated homesteads. The farm-houses are grouped in villages some- 
times very distant one from another. The land nearest to these 
villages is let at an excessive rent ; whilst the more distant fields, 
requiring expensive transport, are much less valuable and yield 
less produce. This arrangement, so disadvantageous to cultiva- 
tion, is explained in many instances by the want of water ; in 
others it owed its origin to the necessity of self-defence. This 
has been the favourite route of the most important invasions 
which have menaced our national independence, from the time, 
nearly fifteen centuries ago, when Attila was here defeated by the 
Franks and the Romans. These historical reminiscences reflect 
a gleam of light over this organization, which is so defective in 
an economical point of view. The richer lands are afflicted by 
another evil, that of subdivision. 
" The interior of these villages presents a curious spectacle 
of rural life and activity, which extends even to the suburbs 
of the more important towns. At dusk, the cows are seen 
entering from all sides on their return from the fields, and 
slaking their thirst at the public drinking-places. At dawn, 
every morning, is heard the horn of the herdsman of the com- 
mune, and at the well-known sound from each door issues a 
small detachment of sheep to join the general flock. At the 
time of harvest cartloads of wheat and oats arrive from all points 
of the horizon, and numerous open barns disclose their close- 
packed sheaves. Plouglimen and vine-dressers start together and 
return together from their labour. This living in common has 
its advantage : if it checks rapid progress, it likewise prevents 
retrogression. The whole village moves witli a nearly even step, 
and there exists between the representatives of various occupa- 
tions a perpetual comparison which keeps up healthy emulation." 
The greater part of Burgundy, comprising the departments of 
Yonne and Cote d'Or, with Ain and Saone et Loire, belongs to 
the South-Eastern Division, and is especially remarkable for its 
unrivalled wine. The principal vineyards lie on a low range of 
hills, called the Cote cfOr, which extends from Dijon to Beaune. 
It is on these slopes that Cliambertin, Nuits, Romance, and Clos 
Vougeot are situated. 
Next comes Franche Comte, the half of which extends over 
the slopes of the Jura mountains. The principal agricultural 
feature of this district is the rearing of cattle and the production 
of cheese. The system known by the name oi fruiticres has been 
established over all the hilly districts. It is an imitation of the 
associations so prevalent in Switzerland for the manufacture of 
cheese. 
