y such
allowances. We accordingly hurried on, and after having broke down four
times, we arrived at Bourdeaux at six in the evening, a distance of more
than a hundred miles; and were delighted to see the white flag still
displayed from all the public buildings. The country from Agen to
Bourdeaux is the richest I have seen in France, chiefly laid out in
vines, dressed with much more care than any we have yet seen; many
fields also of fine wheat, and some meadows of grass pasture. Every
thing is much further advanced than in Languedoc, even allowing for the
advance in the days we have passed in travelling. Barley not only in
the ear, but some fields even yellowing. Bourdeaux is a noble town,
though not so fine, I think, as Marseilles. We arrived just in time: a
few hours later, and I should have found no passage.

* * *

_Wednesday_ morning, the 29th.--I have settled for the last
accommodations to be had, viz. a small cabin in a brig, for which I pay
L.130. The owner, like every other owner, is full of great promises; but
in these cases, I make it a rule to believe only one half. Bourdeaux
shews the most determined loyalty; but, alas! there are troops of the
line in the town, and in the fort of Blaye. Instead of sending these
troops away, and guarding the town by the national guards, they content
themselves with giving dinners to each other, and making the drunken
soldiers cry, "Vive le Roi!" In England, every thing is done by a
dinner; perhaps they are imitating the English: but dinners will not do
in this case; decided measures must be taken, or Bourdeaux will fall, in
spite of its loyalty, and the noise it makes. The journal published
here, of which I have secured most of the numbers, from Napoleon's
landing to this day, is full of enthusiastic addresses:--The general
commanding the troops to the national guards,--the national guards to
the troops,--the mayor to his constituents,--the constituents to the
mayor;--all this is well, but it will do nothing. Although every thing
is yet quiet, I am determined to hurry our departure, for I do not think
there is a doubt of the issue. Since I entered Bourdeaux, I have always
thought it would yield on the first attack.

_Thursday_, the 30th.--Things look very ill. The fort of Blaye has
hoisted the tri-coloured flag. Thank heaven our vessel passed it to-day;
we should otherwise probably have been fired upon. We go to Poillac,
where we are to embark by land, as a party of Engli