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Overseas Tour Issue % h.9“, it, was vastly different in France from farming in Canada. They fob [owed the explanations with keen interest. Mmo. Potier, of the Depart- Inent of Agriculture for France, and M. Thibault, i‘eprcsenting‘tho Feder- i ntion of Farmers for so Depart- ment, were most helpful in their instructions. Canadians Learn About Onion Farm in France. As the Canadians travelled and visited this day, the fascinating study of Franceâ€"its architecture, history, and artâ€"continued to unfold. When viewing the great Chateaux and .athedrals of France, the traveller is l'lml’llled by the study of the evolu- tion of period architecture. Sometimes many styles can be discerned in a single buildin , since new generations change the ad to conform to new zustes, or add sections in the style of their own times to harmonize with lhe whole. From the fortress type of chateau of the Middle Ages, perched high on a cliff for protection, through ihe Renaissance, when chateaux were surrounded by parks and gardens with masts and ornamental waters to reflect the buildin and formal French gardens, to the c ateaux of the Sec- ond Empire, the Canadians followed this evolution of French architecture as they viewed respectively the cha- tcaux at Pierrefonds, Chantilly and Conipiég‘ne. Chantilly, famous, too, for its race- track and stables, and black lace, con- tains the picturesque chateau of the Prince de Condé. Part of this chateau, built in 1550, still remains, but much of it was restored and rebuilt after the destruction of the revolution. Both Maiisart and Le Nfitre, long before they became the makers of Versailles, built parts of Chantilly. The visitors did not see the full beauty of the reflecting pools and gardens at Chan- tilly because of the pourin rain, but they could imagine it in all its glory. _Senlis, a town of great antiquity, still possesses ruins of walls and an amphitheatre, relics of Roman times. For many years Senlis was the home of kings. The most beautiful part of Senlis which the Canadians saw was the magnificent cathedral built in 1155â€"Gothic in its purest style. At Pierrefonds the Canadians were enchanted by the dramatic fortress chateau. It is truly a castle in the air because it can be seen for miles as it stands perched high on a cliff. This feudal castle, built first, in 1399, by Louis. d'Orléans, had been destroyed by Richelieu in his crusade against ambitious nobles. Napoleon III com- niissioned Violet le Due, in 1858, to restore it. Pierrefonds is a master- Piece in its authentic restoration. It stands majestic and formidableâ€"a Symbol of pride and power. Its walls. twenty feet thick, rise sheer from the high rock. Eight loop-holed towers soar above the wall, and surrounding the castle is a moat, complete with drawbridge and portcullis. There were many things to see and learn about Compiégne. Here Joan of Arc came to free the town from Bergundians; here she was taken pris- oner and sold to the English. The Canadians saw the beautiful statue 0f Joan of Are in the market place HOME AND COUNTRY and the remains of the tower where she was imprisoned. Near Joan of Arc's' statue is the picturesque Hotel de Ville with its mullioned windows its turrets and slender helfry, its hiin zlate' roof its central niche where Louis Xfl rides a fine horsc"~a gem of French Renaissance archi- Lecture. Conipiegne Chateau, built by Louis XV. is classic in styleannd correct and cold in appearance. This palace was restored by Napoleon after the havoc ol‘ the Revolution and in honour 0‘1' his marriage to Marie Louise. (.oiiipiegne was the favourite country residence of Napoleon III and Jill“- press Eugenie and is now famous ior its tapestries and its Empire furnish- ngs. Most impressive to the Canadians was the borest of Compi'egne where, on November 11, 1918, at eleven o’clock in the morning, the Germans and the Allies ended a war. Here, in the quiet of oaks and beeches and pines, is a flat stone which marks for all time the spot where the Armis- tice was signed. The remainder of the time in France was spent in Paris. It would be impossible to record all that the Canadians saw and did. As in the other countries, the Can- adian Ambassador to heme opened his home with gracious hospitality. The members of the party felt a sense of security, knowing that, if the need arose, they could turn to these repre- sentatives of Canada. They realized, too, how important it is to have this lie between the nations. The Opera, the ballet and a shop- ping spree, each had a place on the "agenda". The Eiffel tower, Napo- leon’s Tomb, the Latin Quarter, and Nétre Dame Cathédrale were among the places visited. One full half-day was spent at the Louvre: it seemed like a short hourâ€"there was so much to see in this magnificent art gallery â€"thc largest in the world. One would need weeks to really study these masterpieces. The famous Victory of Samothrace, sculptured about the end of the fourth century 13.0. is majestically displayed on the landing of a very long stair- case. As one climbs the stairs to approach this statue one can almost feel that sweep of movement. With grace and poise she flies against the wind on the prow of her ship. Artis- ticnlly placed at the end of a long vista in the gallery of Roman replicas stands the famed Venus de'MllD in all her tranquil beauty. This Greek original, discovered in 1820, in the island of Melos (Milo) is thought to be a work of the third century B.C. Mona Lisaâ€"one of Leonardo de Vinci’s masterpiecesâ€"is here in the Louvre. This portrait, even though it has suf- fered through time and poor restor- ations, still shows serenity of pose and furtive smile. Its elusive, baf- fling charm is enhanced by the dream- landscape beyond. Through one gallery after another, the art enthusiasts Viewed the superb examples of the arts of every age, and from every corner of the globe. Here, under one roof, could ‘be seen beautiful sculpture, both ancient and modern, mosaics, ceramics and Jewels, as well as antiques made of silver, bronze and crystal. But most of the enthusiasts' limited time was spent viewing the masterpieces in oil paint- ing. Here they caught a glimls‘rse 0f the originals about which they had studied and which they had dreamed of seeingâ€"never believing their dream really could come true._ ‘ From the great galleries of Italian, Dutch, German, Flemish, Spanish and French schools of art, the story of painting through the ages was ViVidlY recalled and appreciated, as it_can be only when one studies the originals. How tantalizing to have such a short time in such a wonderful place! Even before the Louvre became the World-renowned art gallery. 1‘ {"25 3 very famous building. The origmnl was built as a fortress in 1200 AD- It became the favourite residence of royalty in the fourteenth century and was the seat of monarchy until 1683 when Louis XIV removed his court to Versailles. By this time the Louvre had expanded to cover over forty acres. In the sixteenth century, the old dungeon was pulled down and the present Renaissance chateau was built. In the beautiful Tuileries Gardens, west of the Louvre and east of the Place de la Concorde, there are “ghosts and to spare". These beautiâ€" ful formal French gardens now grow where once was the Tuileries Palace. I'Iere‘ Louis XVI and his family were imprisoned after they were forced to leave Versailles; here Napoleon Bonaparte lived with Marie Louise and the little King of Home; here Napo- leon III and the Empress Eugénic had their years of glory. But, in 1871, the French Commune Government troops set the Tuilerics Palace ablaze and it was destroyed. Now the Tuileries Gardens, the beautiful statuary, and the little Arc De Triomphe du Car» rousel form a beautiful park with a view which stretches for miles through the Place de la Concorde and out the Champs-Elysées to the great Arc de Triomphe de I‘liltoile. After the visit in the Louvre and the Tuileries, the group crossed Pont Carrousel to shop at the bookstalls on the other side of the Seine, and have afternoon tea at a sidewalk café in the Latin Quarter. It was raining shut the group was happy. Four full days had fied by. The visit in Paris was at an end. Suddenly, across the Seine, a double rainbow appeared as if by magic. Sunshine in the rain gave "food for thought” that even- ing. The rainbow started in the Louvre and ended in Notre Dameâ€"on one end of the rainbow were the art treasures of antiquity, tangible examples of a culture developed over the centuries; on the other end was a great cathe- dral throwing its spiritual light on the world. What a fitting close to this tour on the continent! The Canadians had surely seen their pot of gold. LON DON For London, that noble city, the Centre of the Commonwealth, only five days were left, and, for those who travelled on to Northern Ireland, even less time could be allotted. Lon- don hold such depth of meaning for the Canadians that it was difficult to work into a five-day itinerary all the activities in which the women wished to participate and almost impossible to see all the places that, for them, carried deep significance. It was good to be back on British soil they feltâ€" next best to being at home. They were entertained at Canada House and at each of their respective provmcial Houses. How nice to feel again that sense of “belonging”! ‘ I _ Many and varied were the activities of the group. Purposely the schedule was left flexible so that each could follow her own interests. By break. ing up into small groups, they covered more ground and, by comparing notes afterwards, they learned much more than would have been possible if all had kept to the same schedule. Included in the activities in London Commonwealth WeelpEnd Party at Denman College, and environs were church attendance at ‘Vestminster Abbey, or at St. I"Iul's Cathedral, visits to see the Hon Psrliaiiient, Buckingham Palace and the changing of the Guard, St. James‘s Palace, Kensington Gardens and Pal» ace, Hampton Court, Windsor Castle. and a tour of that famous square inilefithe City of Londonâ€"with its Guild Hall, Mansion House, St. Bare tholomew’s Church and Hospital. Illck Whittington’s Churchist. Michael (Paternoster Royal), and all that is left of the bomb-damaged St. Swith- in’s and All Hallows Churches. Other fascinating points of interest which intrigued the Canadians were: the Tower of London, reeking with mem- ories of executions and gruesome im- prisonments; celebrated \V'hitchall with its government offices and Down- ing Street. its Admiralty Arch, and its ghost-filled Banqueting Hall of Whitehall Palace; the great Trafalgar Square with its imposing aspect and its monument to Nelson; the National Gallery and Saint-Martinsin»the- Fields; Temple Gardens where the Wars of the Roses had their begin- ning; and Hyde Park, whose soap~box orators exercise their democratic rightifreedom of speech. These ancient landmarks of London are laden with history, interest and meaning. Because this city and its environs are such an integral part of the herit- age of Canadians, this report, in such limited space, cannot begin to recapâ€" ture for the reader the full Sigâ€"nifir canoe and depth of meaning which the story of this city can unfold. The reader is therefore referred to the wealth of literature already printed on this subject. The Loan Library, Women‘s Institute Branch, will supply material on request. In London, the only day especially planned beforehand was that day on which the Canadians met Lady Tweedsiiiuir, wife of the former Gov- ernor General of Canada. Lady Tweedsmuir has, for many years, taken a keen and active interest in the Federated Women’s Institutes of Canada and has sponsored the Tweedsmuir Cup Competition for (1) the Tweedsmuir History Books, (2) a home-craft project and (3) a cult- ural project. These competitions have created wide interest throughout Can- ada and this mutual interest shared by the provinces has helped to knit them more closely together in the Dominion organization. So the Can- adians were visiting, again, a much cherished and well known friend. This special “Lady 'I\veedsmuir Day” included a tour of Oxford Uni- versity and a visit to Lady Denman Women’s Institute College where Miss Elizabeth Christmasâ€"who visited Canadian Women’s Institutes in 1945 -â€"acted as hostess. N.F.W.I. and A.C.W.W. headquarters in London were also visited by the Canadians and appreciation was expressed for the splendid assistance given through these Women’s Institute offices to those making the arrangements for this tour abroad. (Continued on page 10)