large body, before they pass under the arches of the bridge below; and the southern horizon is bounded by a far lengthened chain of mountains, rising behind a range of wellwooded hills. Pau is the chief town of the Basses-Pyrénées, formerly of Bearn; it is of a tolerable size, and well built, but has neither walls nor gates. Henry IV was born here, on the 13th of December, 1553. Trade in wine of Jurançon, excellent hams, salted legs of geese, counterpanes, superior handkerchiefs, and woollen caps. Population, 8585. At Pau, or in its neighbourhood, a single person may board and lodge in a family for 3ol. a-year.

Orthès is a small town on the Gave du Pau and has a considerable trade in leather, and hams for Paris. Here are some dyers; and slate quarries, and mines of coal, sulphur, etc. in the neighbourhood. Population, 6758.

Bayonne, situated at the confluence of the Nive and Adour, about three miles from the sea, is a very important, strong, rich and commercial city. It is divided into three parts by the two rivers; and great and little Bayonne are surrounded with an old wall, and have each a small castle: the citadel is on a height which commands the whole of the town; the fortifications of which were greatly improved by Vauban. The principal objects worthy of remark are the quay or promenade, and the place de Grammont. The merchants of Bayonne exchange their drugs, fine hams, oil, brandy, chocolate, ingots of gold and

silver, wines, iron, and wool of Castile and Arragon, for drapery, cloths, printed linens, gold and silver lace, silk stuffs, ribands, mercery, hardware, etc. all the produce of different parts of France. A diligence goes to Bordeaux and Toulouse every day. Population, 13,200. Near the village of Briaritz, about six miles from Bayonne, and much resorted to for seabathing, are some very curious grottos or caves, particularly worthy of inspection.

The spirit of their ancestors still lives in the Basques and their neighbours the Biscayans, who boast of the same origin: all we read in ancient history of the agility, perseverance, and industry of the Cantabrians, may be recognised at this day in every part of these provinces. Their early habits of exercise improve the neatness of limb and flexibility of muscle which distinguish them when adults: if they dance to the sound of their native tambourine, the fire of their character pervades and animates the whole frame. Ancient Greece herself could not present her painters and sculptors, with models of more exquisite elegance than the young women of this country; a flowing white veil fastened with bunches of red ribands, and the freedom which their short garments leave for every movement, enhance the natural beauty of their form.

No. XVIII.

FROM

From BAYONNE to BORDEAUX 33 posts; about 182 English miles.

BAYONNE to Ondres... 1 Caloy to Roquefort.... 1

Cantons..

2

Poteau..

Tartas is a small town, agreeably situated on the Douze, and is the general entrepôt of the trade of Bordeaux, Bayonne, and the department of the Gers. Commerce in fine wheat, wines, brandy, oil, resin, wood for ship-building, etc., etc..

Mont-de-Marsan, the chief place of the Landes, situated at the confluence of the Douze and Midan, was built in 1140, by Peter, Count of Marsan. Manufactures of druggets, counterpanes, leather, and linseed-oil.The mineral waters here are considered good in complaints of the stomach, and obstructions of the liver, The principal buildings are the hôtel of the Préfecture, and of the court of Assize. Population, 4500. The canal of the Landes, which reaches as far as Bayonne, commences at this place. Pass through Bazas, Langon, and Castres, and arrive at BORDEAUX.

Great part of the country between Bayonne and Bordeaux is composed of Landes, or level heaths and sands, and presents a very singular

appearance to the traveller; but this will be noticed more at length, in the following chapter.

CHAPTER V.

Route from Toulouse to Bordeaux-Montauban-Agen-Description of BordeauxShepherds of the Landes-From Bordeaux to Tours by Angoulême and Poitiers-to Nantes, by Rochefort and Rochelle.

THERE are two ways of proceeding to Bordeaux. We may descend the Garonne, a very pleasant trip in fine weather; or we may take the following land route, and visit the different towns mentioned at the head of this chapter. No. XIX. From TOULOUSE to BORDEAUX 36 posts; about 200 English miles.

FROM

POSTS.

FROM

POSTS.

TOULOUSE to St. Jory.. 2 Port St. Maine to Ai

guillon....

Grizolles

MONTAUBAN (1).

Tonneins..

2

INNS. (1) Le Tapis-Verd, l'Hôtel des Ambassadeurs, le Grand Soleil. (2) The Petit St. Jean, Hôtel des Am bassadeurs. (3) Hôtel de Fumel, de Richelieu, Prince of Asturias, Seven Brothers, Providence, Ambassadeurs, Holland, Star, Golden Lion.

Nothing particularly worthy of remark Occurs between Toulouse and Montauban. Much of the soil is a poor white sand, cultivated with wheat and fallow alternately: in the better parts, Indian corn is substituted for the fallow. Few flocks are to be seen in this country. Montauban is pleasantly situated on the Tarn, which divides it into three parts; and by communicating with the Royal Canal and the Mediterranean, offers great commercial advantages. The town is in general regularly built, well paved, and very neat and clean. Many of the buildings are handsome. The air is very salubrious here, and the environs are thickly spotted with charming country houses and gardens. Montauban being seated on the gentle declivity of a hill, has a fine appearance, particularly from the platform between the two principal walks, whence may be seen in clear weather, the Pyrenean mountains, distant more than 100 miles. This town has a theatre, public library, and very agreeable walks; and the bulk of its inhabitants are Protestants: under Bonaparte, a college and great privileges were allowed to them. Manufactures of woollen stuffs, known by the names of cadis and rattines of Montauban, cotton and silk, silk stockings, calicoes, leather, tobacco, soap, earthenware; trade in drapery, brandy, drugs, spices, cutlery, silks, iron, salt, and goose quills. Population, 23,436.

Montauban takes its name from the quantity of willows that grow in its neighbourhood,