and all, we have preferred to bivouac in the orchards ourselves, and have put our horses into the houses; straw spread under guns and ammunition-waggons, with the painted covers closing them in to windward, forms no despicable sleeping-place. One of my drivers, rummaging about, has discovered a vast quantity of excellent household linen buried under the floor. Several other discoveries of this sort have been made; but I have strictly forbidden anything being touched, only leaving these _caches_ open that the natives may know they have not deceived us, but are beholden to us for our moderation. Had we depended on Mortemer, we should have gone supperless to bed; but Mr Coates has been so successful in foraging the neighbourhood, that both man and horse have fared sumptuously. _29th._--Since yesterday the character of the country has been insensibly changing: country-houses with extensive gardens and pleasure-grounds, and a more careful style of architecture, seem to indicate an approach to the capital. The villages, too, alas! in my estimation, are changed for the worse--the large thatched farmhouses, barns, &c., and rural cottages, scattered amongst orchards and verdure, have given place to regular streets of three-storey houses. Pieces of towns--surely not villages--these! Mortemer was an exception. The scenery, too, has improved: features more bold and varied, better wooded, and habitations more numerous. The chain of blue hills seen yesterday continues to bound the southern horizon. The first village we passed after leaving Mortemer was almost entirely composed of respectable houses standing in gardens, and having lofty iron railings (_grilles_) to the street. I think this was Cuvilly. Hitchins and I breakfasted as usual, _en chemin_. We find this a good plan, marching as we do so early. Each of us has his cold salt-beef and biscuit in his havresack, and weak grog in his canteen. The troop fairly started, we drop astern a little, the Doctor produces the profits of his evening’s forage in the shape of hard-boiled eggs, &c. I have seldom enjoyed anything more than these ambulatory breakfasts in the cool refreshing air of a calm morning. A cigar always concludes my repast, and prolongs the pleasure of it.