The good people of Touraine are as simple as their life, gentle as the air they breathe, and strong as the powerful earth they dig.

Their countenances, like their characters, have something of the frankness of the true people of St.Louis; their chestnut locks are still long and curve around their ears, as in the stone statues of our old kings; their language is the purest French, with neither slowness, haste, nor accent--the cradle of the language is there, close to the cradle of the monarchy.
But the left bank of the stream has a more serious aspect; in the distance you see Chambord, which, with its blue domes and little cupolas, appears like some great city of the Orient; there is Chanteloup, raising its graceful pagoda in the air.

Near these a simpler building attracts the eyes of the traveller by its magnificent situation and imposing size; it is the chateau of Chaumont.

Built upon the highest hill of the shore, it frames the broad summit with its lofty walls and its enormous towers; high slate steeples increase their loftiness, and give to the building that conventual air, that religious form of all our old chateaux, which casts an aspect of gravity over the landscape of most of our provinces.

Black and tufted trees surround this ancient mansion, resembling from afar the plumes that encircled the hat of King Henry.