OF THE FOREST. 97

place is for ever shut against me: my princi-
ples would now be held in abhorrence by those
who loved me formerly; nor could I, even if
permitted, now take a part in services of
whose idolatry I have been long assured.
But no more of this; it has no doubt been
good for me, and for others of my countrymen,
that their ancient ties have been dissolved
—ties which bound us to the world and toa
false religion, and which we should never have
had strength to break by our own efforts.

It was a glorious evening in the end of
May, when I arrived within view of my own
village, from which I had been absent many
weeks. I had quitted the public vehicle in
which I had travelled on the opposite bank of
the Seine; and having crossed the river in
a small boat I proceeded on foot the short
remainder of my journey. As soon as I left
the boat, I was in my own parish: I was in
fact at home, and I was taking my way along
an embowered pathway towards the. village,
when I overtook a decent. peasant in her best
apparel going the same way. To my inquiry,
How is it with you, neighbour Mourque?
How are all our friends? she replied, “ Ah,

I