eir trouble, they will put them on for inspection. The bride's costumes
are of great magnificence; they array themselves in three different
dresses on their wedding-day. First, a gown of white velvet, with apron of
moire antique; secondly, one of violet velvet; and the third equally
costly. Embroidered sleeves, the "piece" of cloth of gold, the petticoats
looped up with a wide sash, embroidered in gold, and gold clocks to the
stockings.

[Illustration: 46. Paludier of the Bourg de Batz, in his wedding dress.]

We were shown a state bed, or "lit de mariage," a tall four-post, painted
red, with green reps tester and curtains, embroidered with yellow
chenille. The great sign of wealth is to have the bedding reach to the top
of the bedstead. To effect this, the base is formed of bundles of
vine-stalks, over which is spread the straw, and when this scaffolding has
been raised some feet, a paillasse is placed over it, then the
feather-bed, so that it literally requires a ladder to ascend to the top
of this mountain of bedding, and then it is difficult to crawl into it.
There were a bolster and two pillows covered with velvet, which, with the
sheets, were all trimmed with a kind of lace or cutwork.

The houses are solidly built of granite, and slated; the windows large.
The furniture is good, generally comprising a well-waxed carved oak
armoire, upon which are arranged earthenware plates of various colours.

The paludiers of Batz preserve their original type distinct from the
peasants of the environs; and form, like the Jews, a separate people,
intermarrying among themselves, retaining their own peculiar manners and
customs. They are supposed to descend from a Saxon colony. The paludier is
tall in stature; their women remarkable for their fair complexions, which
contrast strongly with their sunburnt neighbours. They are loyal and
devout, true to their word, courageous and enduring; though the paludier
is miserably poor, from the oppressiveness of the salt-tax, he never
complains. Begging is unknown. Their food consists of rye bread, porridge
of black corn, potatoes, and shellfish. They are sober, and drink wine in
small quantities.

Formerly the salt was distributed over the adjacent provinces by means of
"saulniers," the journeymen labourers of the paludiers. Dressed in their
picturesque costume, with a train of mules, whose tinkling bells announced
their arrival, the saulnier was welcomed in every village where he sold