It is attended by a pretty troop of young women, whose appearance reminded me of Catherine's _petite bande_, so attractive did it seem.

I do not know whether this is a common thing, but I never saw such a troop before in company with a regiment.

They wear a costume, half feminine half military; have short dresses of grey cloth--the colour of the men's great coats--sitting close to their shape, very full in the skirt, and with cuffs turned up with red facings, red trowsers, and military boots, a white plaited ruff and habit-shirt, a white--neatly frilled and plaited--cap, surmounted with a small, smart glazed hat, round which is the word _Cantiniere_: across their shoulder is slung a canteen, and in this equipment they step along with a military air, and in a dashing style which would be invaluable on the stage.

I never saw anything more singular and pretty, and to me so new: almost every one of the women was young and very good-looking, extremely well made, and active and strong; as, indeed, they require to be, for they accompany the soldiers on all their expeditions, and remain out all day.

It is something as amusing to behold as the troop of _savans and asses_, taken care of by Napoleon in his Egyptian campaign.
The road to Morlaas is rather monotonous, and that part which crosses the marsh very bleak and desolate: with the gigantic mountains bounding the horizon, it seems as if the marsh-fiend might here well establish his abode; and the salubrity of the air of the neighbourhood I should somewhat doubt.