with clocks
embroidered on them and shoes of light yellow, while the smock is
supplanted by several waistcoats of varying lengths and shades, which
are worn one above the other in different coloured tiers, finished at
the neck with a turnover muslin collar. The holiday hat is the same,
save for a roll of brightly and many tinted chenille.

Several petticoats of pleated cloth, big bibs or plastrons called
_pieces_, of the same shade as their dresses, and a shawl with a
fringed border, compose the costume of the women. The aprons of the
girls are very plain and devoid of pockets, but the older women's are
rich in texture and design, some of them being of silk and others
even of costly brocade. The women's head-dress is almost grotesque in
its originality, the hair being woven into two rolls, swathed round
with tape, and wound into a coronet across the head. Over this is
drawn tightly a kind of cap, which forms a peak behind and is crossed
in front like a handkerchief. Should widowhood overtake a woman she
relinquishes this _coiffe_ and shrouds her head and shoulders in a
rough black triangular-shaped sheepskin mantle.

The toilette of a bride is as magnificent as the widow's is depressing
and dowdy. It consists of three different dresses, the first of white
velvet with apron of moire-antique, the second of purple velvet, and
the third of cloth of gold with embroidered sleeves, with a _piece_ of
the same material. A wide sash, embroidered with gold, is used for
looping up all these resplendent skirts in order to reveal the gold
clocks which adorn the stockings. These, and all gala costumes, are
carefully stored away at the village inn, and may be seen by the
traveller sufficiently interested to pay a small fee for the
privilege.

_Quaint Head-dresses_

Though the dress of the Granville women does not attempt to equal or
rival the magnificence just described, nevertheless it is as quaint
and characteristic. They favour a long black or very dark coat, with
bordering frills of the same material and shade, and their cap is a
sort of _bandeau_, turning up sharply at the ears, and crested by a
white handkerchief folded square and laid flat on top.

In Ouessant the peasant women adopt an Italian style of costume, their
head-dress, from under which their hair falls loosely, being exactly
in almost every detail like that which one associates with the women
of Italy. The costume of the man from St Pol is, like that of the