Their soil is clayey and stony, a little reddish, and of southern
aspect. The hills on the other side of the river, looking to the north,
are not in vines. There is very good wine made on these hills; not equal
indeed to the Bordeaux of best quality, but to that of good quality, and
like it. It is a great article of exportation from Anjou and Touraine,
and probably is sold abroad, under the name of Bordeaux. They are now
mowing the first crop of hay. All along both hills of the Loire, is a
mass of white stone, not durable, growing black with time, and so
soft, that the people cut their houses out of the solid, with all the
partitions, chimnies, doors, &c. The hill sides resemble cony burrows,
full of inhabitants. The borders of the Loire are almost a continued
village. There are many chateaux: many cattle, sheep, and horses; some
asses.
Tours is at the one hundred and nineteenth mile-stone. Being desirous
of inquiring here into a fact stated by Voltaire, in his _Questions
Encylopediques_, article _Coquilles_, relative to the growth of shells
unconnected with animal bodies at the _Chateau_ of Monsieur de la
Sauvagiere, near Tours, I called on Monsieur Gentil, _premier secretaire
de l'ntendance_, to whom the Intendant had written on my behalf, at the
request of the Marquis de Chastellux.
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