resembling the visionary indulgence of fantasy and fiction, than actual realities to be met with among living men, and in the present day. With regard to the department of _La Vendée_, whatever serves, trivial as it may be, to recall or illustrate the history of its wars and the character of its inhabitants, must ever possess a charm for those who delight to sympathize with the noble struggles of a gallant people, conscientiously devoting themselves to the cause of a fallen and persecuted monarchy, and resisting the cruel and destructive ferocity of a licentious enemy, who had broken down the most sacred fences of society, and trampled upon the dearest ties of human nature. In these Notes, slight as they are, I can truly promise the reader that he will find nothing wilfully misrepresented, nor advanced without just authority; and if the rapid and cursory character of the observations, allusions, and anecdotes, shall enable an hour to pass agreeably that has no better employment, I am content, and gratified with the attainment of all I ever hoped or designed by an unpretending publication, which I cheerfully dedicate to all who love to unbend their minds from a critical attitude, and can lounge goodnaturedly over leaves written by a traveller as idle and careless as themselves, and who assures them that no one can think more humbly of his production than himself. MARCH 1818. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. Route from Paris to Mortagne.--Excursion to La Trappe.--State of the Order since the restoration in 1814.--Its foundation and rules under the Abbé de Rancé. CHAP. II. Ruins of the Convent of the Chartreux.--Forests of Le Perche.--Mortagne. CHAP. III. From Mortagne to Rennes.--Soeurs de la Charité.--Alençon.--Laval.--Vitré, the celebrated residence of Mad. de Sévigné. CHAP. IV. Rennes.--Route from Rennes to Nantes.--City of Nantes.--Historical anecdotes. CHAP. V. Country south of the Loire.--Le Bocage.--Clisson.--Historical anecdotes.--The Garenne, and River Sèvres. CHAP. VI. General appearance and limits of Le Bocage.--Nature of the mode of warfare of the Vendeans. CHAP. VII. The River Loire, from Nantes to Angers. CHAP. VIII. Saumur to Tours.--Tours to Blois.--Orléans--and Orléans to Paris. CHAP. IX. Environs of Paris.--Père la Chaise.--Castle of Vincennes, and Château of Saint Germain.--The Forest, and Vicinity.--Conclusion. A VISIT TO THE MONASTERY OF LA TRAPPE CHAP. I. ROUTE FROM PARIS TO MORTAGNE.--EXCURSION TO LA TRAPPE.--STATE OF THE ORDER SINCE THE RESTORATION IN 1814.--ITS FOUNDATION AND RULES UNDER THE ABBE DE RANCE.