XLII + 

I had now the whole south of France, from the banks of the Rh√іne to those of the Garonne, to traverse upon my mule at my own leisureвБ†вАФat my own leisureвБ†вЄЇвБ†for I had left Death, the Lord knowsвБ†вЄЇвБ†and He onlyвБ†вАФhow far behind meвБ†вЄЇвАЬI have followed many a man throвАЩ France, quoth heвБ†вАФbut never at this mettlesome rate.вАЭвБ†вЄЇвБ†Still he followed,вБ†вЄЇвБ†and still I fled himвБ†вЄЇвБ†but I fled him cheerfullyвБ†вЄЇвБ†still he pursuedвБ†вЄЇвБ†but, like one who pursued his prey without hopeвБ†вЄЇвБ†as he laggвАЩd, every step he lost, softenвАЩd his looksвБ†вЄЇвБ†why should I fly him at this rate? + 

So notwithstanding all the commissary of the post-office had said, I changed the mode of my travelling once more; and, after so precipitate and rattling a course as I had run, I flattered my fancy with thinking of my mule, and that I should traverse the rich plains of Languedoc upon his back, as slowly as foot could fall. + 

There is nothing more pleasing to a travellerвБ†вЄЇвБ†or more terrible to travel-writers, than a large rich plain; especially if it is without great rivers or bridges; and presents nothing to the eye, but one unvaried picture of plenty: for after they have once told you, that вАЩtis delicious! or delightful! (as the case happens)вБ†вАФthat the soil was grateful, and that nature pours out all her abundance, etcвБ†вАКвБ†вА¶ they have then a large plain upon their hands, which they know not what to do withвБ†вАФand which is of little or no use to them but to carry them to some town; and that town, perhaps of little more, but a new place to start from to the next plainвБ†вЄЇвБ†and so on. + 

вАФThis is most terrible work; judge if I donвАЩt manage my plains better. + 