While the rigours of the conscription had invaded every family in France, from normandie to La Vendee-while the untilled fields, the ruined granaries, the half-deserted villages, all attested the depopulation of the land, those talismanic words, "l'Empereur et la gloire," by some magic mechanism seemed all-sufficient not only to repress regret and suffering, but even stimulate pride, and nourish valour; and even yet, when it might be supposed that like the brilliant glass of a magic lantern, the gaudy pageant had passed away, leaving only the darkness and desolation behind it-the memory of those days under the empire survives untarnished and unimpaired, and every sacrifice of friends or fortune is accounted but little in the balance when the honour of La Belle France, and the triumphs of the grand "armee," are weighted against them.
"The Confessions of Harry Lorrequer, Complete"
Charles James Lever (1806-1872)
On the 30th November it reached Cherbourg, where the body was transferred to the steamboat normandie, which conveyed it up the Seine to Courbevoie, where it was placed on a most magnificent car.
"The South of France--East Half"
Charles Bertram Black
The most famous passage relating to this forest and its spring is found in Wace, "Le Roman de Rou et des dues de normandie", vv.
"Four Arthurian Romances "Erec et Enide", "Cliges", "Yvain", and "Lancelot""
Chretien DeTroyes