ARRIVAL AT PARIS

that I can glance at the country-side, if you wish.1 Did you ever see so many little fields ? They resemble gardens.2

Some of these squares are dark green. Yes, but you would find that they contain many light green shades if you were nearer. From here the shades blend into a complete whole. I never enjoyed a more ravishing spectacle.

Why are there no farm-houses in the fields? I don't see any anywhere. Haven't you noticed the large number of hamlets on each side of the railroad track? That will explain why.

The French farmer prefers to build his house in a hamlet. The American farmer is not so deeply imbued with the sentiment of community life. He spends nearly all his life in the solitude of the country and goes to the city or to the village only to end his days, that is to say, to die.