[Illustration: THE FIELDS _of_ FRANCE] [Illustration: colophon] [Illustration: LOCHES] THE FIELDS _of_ FRANCE BY MADAME MARY DUCLAUX (A MARY F ROBINSON) AUTHOR _of_ “THE LIFE _of_ RENAN” “COLLECTED POEMS” “THE RETURN TO NATURE” ETC WITH TWENTY ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOUR BY W B MACDOUGALL [Illustration] LONDON CHAPMAN AND HALL L^{TD} 1905 First published in Crown 8vo _September, 1903_ Reprinted _December, 1903_ Reprinted _February, 1904_ Reprinted _October, 1904_ New Edition, in Crown Quarto, with numerous additions, and Illustrations BY W. B. MACDOUGALL _September, 1905_ To MY DEAR MOTHER LIKE ME, A LOVER OF THE FIELDS OF FRANCE CONTENTS PAGE A FARM IN THE CANTAL 1 A MANOR IN TOURAINE 45 THE FRENCH PEASANT 77 THE FORESTS OF THE OISE 133 A LITTLE TOUR IN PROVENCE 167 HOW THE POOR LIVED IN THE FOURTEENTH CENTURY 195 THE MEDIÆVAL COUNTRY HOUSE 239 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS I. LOCHES _Frontispiece_ II. PUY MARY _Facing page_ 6 III. THE FARM AT OLMET 14 IV. THE CÈRE AT VIC 22 V. THE OLD HOUSE AT OLMET 30 VI. TRÉMOULET 38 VII. THE COMMANDERIE AT BALLAN 50 VIII. TOURS 64 IX. AMBOISE 80 X. CHENONCEAUX 96 XI. AZAY-LE-RIDEAU 112