Returning from Labour—Pont Aven, 1878.
One of the best of Caldecott's sketches here was "Returning from Labour," a quiet spot on the banks of the Aven where he made several studies.
"Here we feel inclined for the first time to stay and sketch, wandering along the coast to the fishing villages, and visiting farms and homesteads."
From another inn, in an "out of the way" part of Finisterre, he writes:—
"The Hotel du Midi where we put up is conducted in a simple manner; ladies would not like its arrangements. Several inhabitants, and a visitor or two, dine at the table d'hôte, but all are unable to carve a duck excepting the English visitor, who is accordingly put down as a cook."
Many works, such as the frieze of a horse fair (p. [137]), models in terra cotta and paintings, were the outcome of the Brittany journeys in 1874 and 1878; but Caldecott did not give himself a chance to do what he wished in France; other work crowded upon him in 1878, and before he had time to finish the sketches for Breton Folk, he had to return to London to complete drawings for his Picture Books, and other work in hand for the Graphic newspaper.