History Davies, G. Christopher: Our Home in Aveyron. v.1. 20 Oct 2012

[Araucaria]

This book was published in 1891, and describes what is now one of the most attractive and picturesque parts of France, as it appeared, at the end of the 19th century, to some visiting English travellers.

Without the illustrations, which confirm that the book really is about the upper Lot valley, one might almost imagine that the authors were describing a poverty-stricken and pestilential third-world country, polluted by mining operations and inhabited by a superstitious and largely illiterate population. The Decazeville miners' strike of 1886 had recently occurred, and the sinister and violent socialists of the region also make an occasional appearance in the book: indeed the authors are warned that they should carry a revolver at all times to protect their lives.

It's only fair to warn readers that the book also makes extensive use of the "F" word. In this case, it's "filthy" rather than ****, but ..... !

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