A Sentimental Journey Through France and Italy

Yorick travels to Montriul, though his luggage falls from the back of the carriage a number of times. Upon arrival, the landlord of the hotel asks Yorick whether he has ever considered hiring a servant, as he has a young man he can recommend. As they talk, the landlord corrects Yorick’s French and then calls out to La Fleur, the young man interested in being a servant for an Englishman.

Yorick hires La Fleur instantly, though quickly finds out that the boy possesses very few skills. He can “do nothing in the world but beat a drum and play a march or two upon the fife” (22). Nonetheless, Yorick likes the boy and declares himself “satisfied to [his] heart’s content” (22).

As La Fleur will accompany Yorick for the whole trip, the narrative pauses to introduce him. La Fleur is described as a “faithful, affectionate, simple soul” (23) and is never visibly affected by hunger, temperature, or other factors. Yorick thanks La Fleur for making him a better person.