East of Paris
Sketches in the Gatinais, Bourbonnais, and Champagne
Matilda Betham-Edwards
INTRODUCTORY.
CHAPTER I. MELUN
CHAPTER II. MORET-SUR-LOING.
CHAPTER III. BOURRON.
CHAPTER IV. BOURRON - continued.
CHAPTER V. BOURRON - continued.
CHAPTER VI. LARCHANT.
CHAPTER VII. RECLOSES.
CHAPTER VIII. NEMOURS.
CHAPTER IX. LA CHARITE-SUR-LOIRE.
CHAPTER X. POUGUES.
CHAPTER XI. NEVERS AND MOULINS.
CHAPTER XII. SOUVIGNY AND SENS.
Chapter XIII. ARCIS-SUR-AUBE.
CHAPTER XIV. ARCIS-SUR-AUBE - (continued).
CHAPTER XV. RHEIMS.
CHAPTER XVI. RHEIMS - (continued).
CHAPTER XVII. SOULAINES AND BAR-SUR-AUBE.
CHAPTER XVIII. ST. JEAN DE LOSNE.
CHAPTER XIX. NANCY.
CHAPTER XX. IN GERMANISED LORRAINE.
CHAPTER XXI. IN GERMANISED ALSACE.
INTRODUCTORY.
I here propose to zig-zag with my readers through regions of Eastern France not described in any of my
former works. The marvels of French travel, no more than the chefs-d'oeuvre of French literature,
are unlimited. Short of saluting the tricolour on Mont Blanc, or of echoing the Marseillaise four hundred
and odd feet underground in the cave of Padirac, I think I may fairly say that I have exhausted France as
a wonder-horn. But quiet beauties and homely graces have also their seduction, just as we turn with a
sense of relief from "Notre Dame de Paris" or "Le Pere Goriot," to a domestic story by Rod or Theuriet,
so the sweet little valley of the Loing refreshes after the awful Pass of Gavarni, and soothing to the ear is
the gentle flow of its waters after the thundering Rhone. Majestic is the panorama spread before our eyes
as we pic-nic on the Puy de Dome. More fondly still my memory clings to many a narrower perspective,
the view of my beloved Dijon from its vine-clad hills or of Autun as approached from Pre Charmoy, to
me, the so familiar home of the late Philip Gilbert Hamerton. If, however, the natural marvels of France,
like those of any other country, can be catalogued, French scenery itself offers inexhaustible variety. And
so, having visited, re-visited, and re-visited again this splendid hexagon on the European map, I yet find
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