Their marriages are attended with somewhat singular ceremonies, and their method of making love is equally strange: after church, on a fête day, a number of young people, of both sexes, dance together to a monotouous tune, while others sit round in a circle on their heels, watching them. After dancing a little time, a pair will detach themselves from the rest, squeeze each other's hand, give a few glances, and then whisper together, striking each other at the same time; after which they go to their relations, and say they _are agreed_, and wish to marry: the priest and notary are called for, the parents consent, and the day is at once fixed. On the appointed day, the _Nobi_ (future husband) collects his friends, and goes to the bride's house, where he knocks; the father, or some near relation, opens to him, holding by the hand an _old woman_, whom he presents: she is rejected by the bridegroom, who demands her who was promised. She then comes forward with a modest air, and gives her lover a flower; who, in exchange, presents her with a belt, which he puts on himself. This is very like the customs in Brittany, where scenes of the kind always precede weddings. When the bride comes to her husband's house, she finds at the door a broom; or, if he takes possession of her's, a ploughshare is placed there: both allegorical of their duties. The distaff of the bride is carried by an old woman throughout the ceremonies. The Landais, altogether, both as to habits, manners, and general appearance, form a singular feature in the aspect of this part of France. CHAPTER XV. PORTS--DIVONA--BORDEAUX--QUINCONCES--ALLÉES--FIRST IMPRESSION--CHARTRONS--BAHUTIER--BACALAN--QUAYS--WHITE GUIDE--S^{TE} CROIX--ST. MICHEL--ST. ANDRÉ--PRETTY FIGURE--PRETTY WOMEN--PALAIS GALLIEN--BLACK PRINCE'S SON EDWARD. TAVERNIER has said, in speaking of the most celebrated ports, "three only can enter into comparison, one with the other, for their beauty of situation and their _form of a rainbow_, viz., Constantinople, Goa, and Bordeaux." The poet, Chapelle, thus names this celebrated city:-- Nous vîmes au milieu des eaux Devant nous paraître Bordeaux, Dont le port en croissant resserre Plus de barques et de vaisseaux Qu'aucun autre port de la terre. The commendatory address to his native city, by the poet, Ausonius, is often quoted; and has been finely rendered by M. Jouannet, whom I venture to translate. I was to blame; my silence far too long Has done thy fame, my noble country, wrong: