They name their rocks and valleys as the Bretons do: as, for instance, they have the _Vallee du Sang_, the _Col des Ossemens_, the _Foret du Refuge_, the _Champ de la Victoire_; and traditions attach to each of these.

There is, however, a gayer, livelier character amongst them than that which inspires the pathetic ballads of Brittany.

The Basques are very ready to be amused; are more hilarious and less gloomy than the Bretons: yet they have the same love of their country, and regret at leaving it.

An author[37] who has written on the subject, says: "To judge properly of the Basque, he should be seen amidst his pleasures and his games; for it is then that he exhibits his brilliant imagination.

Often, in the joy of a convivial meeting--when his natural gaiety, excited by wine and good cheer, is arrived at that point of vivacity when man seems united to the chain of existence only by the link of pleasure--one of the guests will feel himself inspired: he rises; the tumult ceases; profound silence is established, and his noisy companions are at once transformed to attentive listeners.