The general price of the Table d’Hote in France, including the vin ordinaire, is about three francs, which are at the present rate of exchange equal to about a shilling each.—­Those who call for better wine pay of course extra.

The vin ordinaire, or common wine of Burgundy, is a pleasant beverage, little stronger than cider, but in many parts of France it is by no means palatable.  The cider and beer in France are, with few exceptions, extremely indifferent, and consequently little used.

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CHAP.  VI.

My first day’s journey in the Diligence was short and uninteresting.  We arrived to sleep at Avalon, a small town partaking, in common with most others in France, of a degree of gloom occasioned by the want of those shops which enliven most of our country towns.  Here a few articles are placed in a window, to indicate that there is a larger supply to be had within.  There are few towns in France which have not a public place or walk, which is generally planted with trees, and kept in good order.  Whilst supper was preparing, we took a few turns on the promenade of Avalon, and found a considerable number of persons assembled there; but were much shocked at the number and miserable appearance of the beggars, who thronged around us.  They are much too numerous in all parts of France, and particularly here.

At an early hour next morning, we were summoned to resume our places in the Diligence; these places are in general numbered, and each person takes his seat in the order in which he has paid his fare, a regulation which prevents any delay, and precludes disputes or ceremony.

We continued our journey through the small towns of Rouvray and Viteaux; the country is diversified with hills, which are not of sufficient magnitude to present any great obstacle to the progress of the traveller.

There are vast numbers of vineyards, but there are few trees.  In this, as in all other wine countries, villages and country houses are more numerous than in the districts producing only corn, either because the lands which produce vines are more valuable, and consequently are divided amongst a greater number of owners, or that the culture of the vine requires more people than other species of tillage.

In one district, where corn was the chief crop, I enquired respecting the usual mode of farming, and found that the land, which was this year under corn, was intended to be sown next year with maize (of which there is a vast quantity) and the year following to lie fallow, after which it will be considered as again fit to produce corn.

I found also, that the direct land-tax through France was not less than 20 per cent, exclusive of the other taxes which fall incidentally on landed property.  There are also in many provinces customs which regulate the descent of land (often in a manner very different from the disposition which the owner would wish) amongst the relations of the last owner.  These customs and the heavy taxes on land may account for the seemingly small price which it in general sells for throughout France.