Normandy Picturesque by Henry Blackburn
page 74 of 171 (43%)
page 74 of 171 (43%)
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These varying opinions are worth having, coming as they do from
residents, and giving us the latest information on the subject; but our friend whom we have quoted last seems to put the case most fairly, when he says, in so many words, 'English people had better live in their own country, if they can.' Life at Avranches is a strange contrast to Granville. In a few hours we pass from the contemplation of fishermen's lives to a curious kind of civilization--an exotic plant, which some might think was hardly worth the transplanting. A little colony of English people have taken possession of one of the finest and healthiest spots in Europe, and upon this vantage ground have deposited, or reproduced as in a magic mirror, much of the littleness and pettiness that is peculiar to an English country town: they have brought insular prejudices and peculiarities, and unpacked several of them at Avranches. Do we overdraw the picture? Hear one more resident, who thus tersely, and rather pathetically, puts his grievances to us, _viva voce_:-- 'We quiet English people,' he says, 'generally dine early, because it is considered economical--_which it is not!_ 'We live exclusively and stiffly, because it is considered proper and necessary--_which it is not!_ 'We go to the expense and trouble of bringing out our families, because living is supposed to be cheaper than in England--_which practically it is not!_ 'We believe that our children will be well educated, and pick up French |
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