frankness of the heart, this kind sympathy for every stranger, is universal among the mountaineers; these benevolent and kindly feelings are a portion of their holy traditions, and as such are most religiously grafted by every mother into the soft wax-like hearts of her dear little ones. But while delighting to describe the virtues of these denizens of the forests, these amiable fauns and jolly satyrs, I must not forget those jovial trencher-men, the _curés_ of Le Morvan. Every sportsman possesses, or should possess, the digestion of an ostrich; for his appetite is generally prodigious, and the viands that fall in his way are not always the most savoury. When, however, the venison pasty, the truffled turkey, or the _pain de gibier_ is within his reach, no one is so capable of enjoying and doing justice to these delicacies of the table, of knocking off so dexterously the neck of the champagne bottle when the corkscrew is absent, or whose legs are stretched out so gracefully at the sight of brimming glasses and _recherché_ viands. In these, his fallen moments, and after a good day's sport, a Morvinian would tell you he could drink all the Burgundian cellars dry,--aye, and those of Champagne too; and as to smoking, why, he would smoke a whole crop of tobacco. To all keen sportsmen, therefore, who love good eating and wine, and intend to pay a visit to Le Morvan, I would give this piece of advice, and I would say to them, place it in the secret drawer of your memory; nay, carry it written, and, if necessary, painted on your knapsack or scratched upon your gun--fail not to make the acquaintance of the _curé_ the darling _curés_. Ask who are they that love the best _cuisine_--who dote upon the most delicious morsels--who will have the oldest, purest, and most generous wines?--you will be answered, the _curés_. For whom are destined the largest trout, the fattest capons, and the best parts of the venison?--for whom the softest and most choice liqueurs, wine of the best _bouquet_, the largest truffles, the most luscious honey, the best vegetables, and finest fruits?--for the _curés_. And the most clever men-cooks, the happiest receipts, and latest culinary inventions--for whom are they? the answer is always, _for messieurs les curés_. Forget them not, therefore, for they are really worth remembering; besides, they have excellent hearts and are capital fellows, boon companions, full of _bonhommie_ and good-nature: in fact, such _curés_ it is impossible to find anywhere else.