Hot spring (Translated by Famous Works Library) 036

Author: (French) Guy de Maupassant, translated by Wang Zhensun and Han Hulin
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-08-01
Features: The early risers who are accustomed to bathing have already emerged from the water. They walk out of the bathhouse, two by two or individually, under the shade of each tree, slowly strolling along the small stream flowing down from the Angval Gorge. Other bathers come from the village of Angval and then quickly enter the bathhouse. It is a massive building, with the ground floor used for hot spring therapy, and the second floor serving as entertainment venues, cafes, and billiard rooms. Since Dr. Bonafé discovered a rich-flowing spring in the Angval Valley, which later came to be known as the Bonafé Hot Springs, the timid local and nearby landowners, who dared not take big risks in business, finally decided to build a large building in the beautiful valley of Auvergne, capable of serving multiple purposes such as therapy and entertainment. The ground floor sells mineral water and also provides shower and tub baths; the upper floor offers beer, sweet liqueurs, and the option to hire musicians. Although this valley is located in the wilderness, it is picturesque and pleasing to the eye, with the entire mountain covered in tall walnut and chestnut trees. They followed the stream, enclosed a piece of the valley, and turned it into a garden, which is essential in any hot spring area. They also laid out three small paths in the garden, one nearly straight, and the other two winding in a zigzag pattern; at the end of one of the paths, they artificially diverted a gushing spring from the main spring...