[53] The London ‘Illustrated Police News.’

[54] The people in this part of Normandy are becoming less political, and more conservative, every day (a conservatism which, in their case, may be taken as a sign of prosperity, and of a certain unwillingness to be disturbed in their business); they are content with a paternal government—­at a distance; they wish for peace and order, and have no objection to be taken care of.  They are so willing to be led that, as a Frenchman expressed it to us, ’they would almost prefer, if they could, to have an omnipotent Postmaster-General to inspect all letters, and see whether they were creditable to the sender and fitting to be received’!

[55] In the matter of bells, the same voices now ring half over Europe—­the music is the same at Bruges as at Birmingham; church bells being made wholesale, to the same pattern and in the same mould, another link in the chain of old associations, is broken.

[56] We are tempted to remark, in passing, on the curious want of manner in speaking French that we notice amongst English people abroad; arising, probably, from their method of learning it.  French people have often expressed to us their astonishment at this defect, amongst so many educated English women; a defect which, according to the same authority, is less prominent amongst travelled Englishmen in the same position in life.  We will not venture to give an opinion upon the latter point; but most of us have yet to learn that there are two French languages—­one for writing and one for speaking; and that the latter is almost made up of manner, and depends upon the modulation of the voice.

[57] It is worthy of note that, in a cruel country like France, the ‘blinkers’ to the horses (which we are doing away with in England) are a most merciful provision against the driver’s brutality; and a security to the traveller, against his habitual carelessness.

[58] We confess to a lively sympathy with the growth of artistic taste in America; a sympathy not diminished by the knowledge that every English work of credit on these subjects is eagerly bought and read by the people.

[59] The carving may be machine-made, and the slate and fringes to the roofs cut by steam; but we must remember that these houses are only ’run up to let,’ as it is called, some of them costing not more than 500_l._ or 600l.

[60] It is interesting to note how the changes in the modern systems of warfare seem to be tending (both in attack and defence) to a more practical and picturesque state of things.  Thus in attack, the top boots and loose costume of the engineers and sappers figure more conspicuously in these days, than the smooth broad-cloth of the troops of the line; and in defence (thanks to Captain Moncreiff’s system), we are promised guns that shall be concealed in the long grass of our southern downs, whilst stone and brick fortifications need no longer desolate the heights.