Things looked better; F. was refreshed, consequently in better spirits. The visits of congratulation and kind attentions of our villagers delighted her; but M. le Maire stood like one thunderstruck when introduced to his old friend with a new face. My cow dead, but another was negotiating for. The history of the defunct was, that she was a commissariat issue to me as so many rations; but, instead of putting her to death, I kept her for her milk. Here, again, I am without a guide, or nearly so--my diary ends; and, to continue our residence at Stain, I am reduced to a few brief notices preserved in my general journal. That residence was uncomfortable enough, for the winter set in with a degree of severity unknown in England; and our house, both from its construction and furnishing, was ill calculated, under such circumstances, to afford comfort, or indeed at times to prevent suffering. However, we were in paradise compared to the situation of the little farmers (cultivateurs) and still poorer people amongst whom we were thus domiciliated. With them we found that it was no uncommon practice to live in the stable, &c., among the cattle, for the sake of sparing fuel--the animals helping to keep them warm. Sometimes I took F. to Paris to see the lions; but it was sad, cold, dirty work. The streets were ankle-deep in mud; even the walks of the Palais Royal, the Passage des Panoramas, &c., were covered with mud, carried in on people’s feet. Sometimes I took a walk; but the country, now stripped of its verdure, presented an aspect hideously cheerless. What could be more so than the extensive, dreary, snow-covered plain extending from St Denis to the foot of Montmartre without a redeeming tree? Like other highroads, the one crossing this plain to La Chapelle, we were told, had once been bordered by trees, but they were cut down on the approach of the Allied armies, I think, last year. Soon after arriving, having published through the commune our want of a female servant, Mademoiselle Rose introduced Angélique. My wife took a liking to her immediately; so, having exchanged written contracts with M. l’Ecuyer (her father), engaging to take care of, and send her back from England free of expense, she was engaged, and forthwith entered on her functions, as cook, lady’s-maid, &c. M. l’Ecuyer is (like most of our neighbours) a cultivateur--works his own little bit of land, and is independent, except of poverty; for these little cultivateurs work hard and fare harder, as far as I can learn.