on the same site, under the auspices
    of Mathilda, the wife of the Conqueror:  with the statue of a woman
    with a diadem upon her head—­near one of the pillars:  upon which
    statue Langevin discourses learnedly in a note.  But neither this
    church nor the statue in question are now in existence.  On the
    contrary, the oldest portions of the church of Guibray, now
    existing—­according to the authors of the Gallia Christiana, vol.
    xi. p. 878, and an ancient MS. consulted by M. Langevin—­are of about
    the date of 1222; when the church was consecrated by the Bishop of
    Coutances.  The open space towards the south, now called La Place aux
    Chevaux, was the old burying ground of the church.  There was also a
    chapel, dedicated to St. Gervais, which was pillaged and destroyed by
    the Hugonots in 1562.  I should add, that the South-East exterior
    (behind the chancel) of this very curious old church at Guibray,
    resembles, upon a small scale, what M. Cotman has published of the
    same portion of St. Georges de Bocherville. Recherches sur Falaise,
    p. 49-53.  Monsieur le Comte de la Fresnaye, in his Notice Historique
    sur Falaise, 1816, 8vo. will have it, that “the porch of this church,
    the only unmutilated portion remaining of its ancient structure,
    demonstrates the epoch of the origin of Christianity among the Gauls.” 
    “At least, such is the decision of M. Deveze, draftsman for Laborde;
    the latter of whom now Secretary to the Count d’Artois, instituted a
    close examination of the whole fabric.” p. 5-6.  I hope there are not
    many such conclusions to be found in the magnificent and meritorious
    productions of LABORDE.

[172] This fair lasts full fifteen days.  The first eight days are devoted
    to business of a more important nature—­which they call the GREAT
    WEEK:  that is to say, the greatest number of merchants attend during
    the earlier part of it; and contracts of greater extent necessarily
    take place.  The remaining seven days are called the LITTLE WEEK—­in
    which they make arrangements to carry their previous bargains into
    effect, and to return home.  Men and merchandise, from all quarters,
    and of all descriptions, are to be seen at this fair.  Even Holland and
    Germany are not wanting in sending their commercial representatives. 
    Jewellery and grocery seem to be the chief articles of commerce; but
    there is a prodigious display of silk, linen, and cotton, &c.:  as well
    as of hides, raw and tanned; porcelaine and earthen ware.  The live
    cattle market must not be forgotten.  Langevin says that, of horses
    alone, they sometimes sell full four thousand.  Thus much for the buyer
    and seller.  But this fair is regularly enlivened by an immense