Beginning almost from the entrance to Pau, extends an immense district of uncultivated land, called the Pont Long. This _lande_ is covered with coarse fern and heath, and is intersected with wide marshes; thirty-two communes have a right in this ground; but it chiefly belongs to the Vallée d'Ossau. It was formerly much more extensive than it now is; but, even yet, a very inconsiderable portion has been reclaimed: its extent is about twelve leagues in length, and one and a half in width. In the centre of this wild country is the ancient town of Morlàas, whose name, tradition says, was derived from the circumstance of a prince--Gaston Centulle--having been there assassinated; from whence it was called _Mort-là_, a derivation, probably, as likely as any other that can be found. We chose a very bright, warm, and beautiful day--during the continuance of fine weather, in November--to drive to Morlàas. Our carriage was stopped, just as we got out of the town, by a regiment of soldiers who were marching out, and, but for the courtesy of the colonel, we should have been impeded for nearly a league: he, however, kindly ordered the ranks to open, and we were allowed to go on between the two lines. This regiment--the 25th of the line--is a remarkably fine one, and appears to be kept in constant activity by its commanders, going out to great distances to exercise in every weather. It is attended by a pretty troop of young women, whose appearance reminded me of Catherine's _petite bande_, so attractive did it seem. I do not know whether this is a common thing, but I never saw such a troop before in company with a regiment. They wear a costume, half feminine half military; have short dresses of grey cloth--the colour of the men's great coats--sitting close to their shape, very full in the skirt, and with cuffs turned up with red facings, red trowsers, and military boots, a white plaited ruff and habit-shirt, a white--neatly frilled and plaited--cap, surmounted with a small, smart glazed hat, round which is the word _Cantinière_: across their shoulder is slung a canteen, and in this equipment they step along with a military air, and in a dashing style which would be invaluable on the stage. I never saw anything more singular and pretty, and to me so new: almost every one of the women was young and very good-looking, extremely well made, and active and strong; as, indeed, they require to be, for they accompany the soldiers on all their expeditions, and remain out all day. It is something as amusing to behold as the troop of _savans and asses_, taken care of by Napoleon in his Egyptian campaign.