prevent recurrence of such a scandal, it was deemed advisable that the spoils of the table should be divided in future between the four supporters of the episcopal chair: the Lord of Pont-château had the table-cloth and napkins as his perquisite; he of Retz the silver dishes; he of Ancennis the drinking cups; and the Baron of Châteaubriant galloped off on the steed that had served as the mount for the bishop.
This is not the end of the story. Bishop Barnabas was so discredited by this little occurrence that he was compelled almost at once to resign and disappear after a brief reign of a few months; and Oliver Salahaddin was consecrated in his room.
We were in a nice old-fashioned hotel at Nantes, with a large courtyard in the midst, in which was chained a not over-savoury fox. The kitchens opened into this court, and we could watch the cooks in their white caps and overalls engaged in preparation of the meals, a preparation that went on from early morning till late at night, apparently without respite. But occasionally one or other of the cooks would lean out of the window and chat with one of the chamber-maids or a conversable guest, and if none of these were available, then with the fox. I venture to quote a dialogue between a visitor and one of these cooks, "a model for a painter—his looks full of sweetness and intelligence, even when he was employed in no higher office than that of shelling." The description is by a lady, and I will supplement it by a few words from the very "sweet and intelligent" scullion commemorated.
"Votre occupation est un peu fatiguante, elle ne finit jamais, car en France on est toujours à manger."
"Mais, Madame, ne mangez vous pas autant en Angleterre, que dans ce pays ci?"
"Oui, peut-être; mais on n'a pas si grand nombre de plats."
"Mais, pourquoi non, Madame ? Vous avez d'excellentes viandes!"
"Ah, oui! mais nous n'avons pas beaucoup de variété dans notre maniere de les presenter. De la soupe ou du poisson, un rôti, des legumes au naturel; un boudin, ou quelques petit-pates, et voila tout!"
An air of concern passed over his countenance. "Mais, Madame, n'avez vous pas de mets à changer? des entremets, des fricassées, ou des friandeaux?"
