With much kindness he left his duties in the schoolroom, and accompanied us to the ancient structure.
[Illustration: BIRTHPLACE OF LAMARCK, FRONT VIEW] [Illustration: BIRTHPLACE OF LAMARCK] The modest _chateau_ stands a few rods to the westward of the little village, and was evidently the seat of the leading family of the place.
It faces east and is a two-storied house of the shape seen everywhere in France, with its high, incurved roof; the walls, nearly a foot and a half thick, built of brick; the corners and windows of blocks of white limestone.

It is about fifty feet long and twenty-five feet wide.

Above the roof formerly rose a small tower.

There is no porch over the front door.

Within, a rather narrow hall passes through the centre, and opens into a large room on each side.