'i 7)r6U)ti .V K>i4^rnv'(i hy h'.C.hrx THE ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY OF NICE; COMPREHENDING AN ACCOUNT^ OF THE FOUNDATION OF MAKSEILlLESi TO WHICH ARE PREFIXKD Descriptive Olservations on the Nature, Produce, and Climate^ OF THE TERRITORY OF THE FORMER CITY, AND ITS ADJOINING TOWNS, WITH 2.n 3fntrotiuctiott, Containfng Hints of Advice to Invalids, vt'lio, with the Hope of Arresting the Progress of Disease, seek the renovating Influence of these salubrious CUmes. By I. B. DAVIS, M. D. ONE OF THE BRITISH CAPTIVES FROM VERDUN, AUTHOR OF " PROJET DE RtGLEMENT CONCERNANT LES DjTcIs,' AND MEM15EROF SEVERAL MEDICAL SOCIETIES. '^ Orbis niiraculum Nicaea est." " Vertumne, Pomone, et Z^phyre Avec Flore y regnent toujouis ; C'est I'Asyle de ienrs amours, Et le trone de leur empire." iLontion : PRINTED FOR TIPPER & RICHARDS, LEADENHALL-STREET, 180/. '^fSn£;^^i^^ AVIBAVW^ '())F I^RC'IH Printed by Dewick and Clarke, Aldersgate-slrect, # v,>^ TO The Right Honorable XORD VISCOUNT SUDLEY, My Lord, In being allowed to dedicate the following pages to your Lordship, I feel a sentiment of pride and pleasure, as it affords me an opportunity of publicly expressing my sense of gratitude, for the many personal civilities you have shewn me. This fresh instance of your in- dulgence sufficiently evinces your Lordship's generous zeal for my a 2 IV DEDICATION. interest and welfare ; and calls forth a testimony of the unfeign- ed respect and regard, which I have for several years uninterruptedly en- tertained for your Lordship, and been long anxious to acknowledge as My Lord, Your Lordship's Most obedient, most obliged, and faithful, humble Servant, I. B. Davis^ Tower, Feb, 26, 1807. PREFACE. There are two principal reasons for which I venture to trouble the public with this work ; the first is, to benefit the inva- lids who seek to repair the ravages of disease in a climate celebrated for its temperature ; the second, to record the beauties and anti- quities of a country which has always held a distinguished rank in the annals of every age. Presuming that it is not less a desideratum to dispel the fear of danger, restore serenity to the mind, and banish sorrow, when the body droops under the pressure of disease^ than to convey information under an en- tertaining and captivating form, I have at- tempted to accomplish this double object 2 VI PREFACE. by exhibiting to the valetudinarian, and the traveller, whose pursuit is pleasure, such a series of amusements, scenes, and incidents, as are calculated to benefit the one, and divert the other. Who can for a moment doubt but that health is more likely to return when the path to the acquirement of it is strewed with flowers ; when the painful burthen that overwhelms the soul is alleviated by agree- able occupations, and when anxiety is ex- changed for patience and resignation ? Awai'e of this, it has been, my endeavour to combine remedy with amusement, in the full per- suasion, that a change of scene never fails of brightening the couch of sickness, of be- coming the source of consolation, and the anchor of hope. To describe the endless variety of nature's works in the enchanting plain of Nice ; to trace all the beauties that dehght the senses; PREFACE. Vll and relate the achievements of a warlike people, is, it will be admitted, a difficult undertaking ; but implicitly confiding in the candor and liberality of my countrymen, I found an encouragement to persevere; and the public will be umpire how far I have given a proper colouring to the picture, of which this is the outline. The favorable opinion I entertain of the efficacy of the shores of Nice in arresting disease, induces me to observe, that the despondent invalid may there rest his long- ing eye, and look with confidence to his recovery : there may he, without much reluctance, bring his mind to submit to the painful sacrifice of* flying from his native country, and, for a while, renouncing the society of his dearest friends : there may he also find consolation in the enjoyment of the numerous beauties of perpetual spring, her genial warmths, and refreshing dews Vlll PREFACE. / when winter, with an icy sceptre, reigns uncontrolled over less auspicious climes. The first straggle surmounted, the noon- day zephyr, with all its wonted gentleness, will regale his drooping senses; the air, perfumed by the blossoms of the flowery fields which embellish that delightful scenery, retains a sweetness and a vigour in it, that will revive his feeble frame, diffuse a senti- ment of serenity over his anxious mind, and conduct him imperceptibly, and by a pecu- liar charm, to health and happiness. Nor here should I omit impressing on the mind of the sanguine valetudinarian, that, though he should droop and sicken, where he looked for a quick return of health, yet may his suspended breath, which announces his fear and disappointment, resume its wonted course, and the vital principle re- animate; neither should he, thus encouraged, and where remedy is arrayed in so much PREFACE. IX beauty, repine at the tardy alleviation of his pains. It has also been my study in composing the following pages, to interest both the sick and healthy individual : T trust, therefore, that the man of the world, retiring from the tumultuous intercourse of society, and in search of the charms of a tranquil residence at Nice, will peruse the following pages with profitable pleasure, and be induced in consequence, to contemplate with eager curiosity the beauties that ravish his sight on that favored plain. The harmony and variety there seen, in the animal king- dom, wdll doubtless prove a source of in- struction and entertainment to the naturahst; the botanist wdll also have his delights in tracing the picturesque beauties of the vege- table world, in a state of the highest per- fection ; and the antiquary enjoy a rich repast, in the contemplation of the pictures X PREFACE. which the history of the country successively unfolds. The work is divided into two parts, and each of those sub-divided into sections ; the jfirst, comprehends an introduction, contain^ ing hints of advice to invahds, who, with the hope of arresting the progress of disease, seek the renovating influence of these salu- brious climes; the topography of Nice; an account of the character, language, com- merce, &c. of the Nissards ; and descriptive observations on the nature, produce, and climate of the country, together with the topography of some adjoining towns: the second contains the ancient and modern history of Nice, with a description of the original inhabitants of the country, and an account of the foundation of Marseilles. Here it is in place to notice, and I can- didly avow, that I have collected materials for my work, though many were lost diiring PREFACE. XI my captivity, from numerous authors enti- tled to full credit, to which sources of in- formation I neglected not to join those which I obtained by oral communication. I am anxious also to apprize the reader, that I have not undertaken this task, with- out a conviction of my great inferiority in the rank of those travellers who have ex- celled in the descriptive and amusing parts of historical and geographical narrative. ERRATA. Page 19. . for assuetu's, read assiietns. 23.... re9it re9oit. ^ 46. . . . Avissa Avisio. 60 Whoitley Wortley. 63. . . . amourOus. . . . amorous. 7S.... Phoceans.... Phocasans. 225. . . . intercpaetis. . . intercaptis. •290. , , . uncle Robett. , gran^^^tli^ei' Robert, INTRODUCTION. Having witnessed with great concern and astonishment, the rapid progress of pulmo- nary complaints in the English, at Nice, in 'the winter of 1802, 1 anxiously seized every opportunity of inquiring into the causes of the unfavourable changes which manifested themselves soon after an arrival in the coun- try, or to what circumstance the increase of symptoms was to be attributed in a climate which promised great advantages to this class of invalids. It would not be in the least embarrassing to prove the utility of such an enquiry, for reasons obviously advantageous to those whose cases require a change of climate : nor should I lay myself open to contradiction, in asserting, that the XIV INTRODUCTION. situation of the greater part of the sick, v/ho reached the southern provinces of France, was hopeless. 1 may also advance with similar confidence, that of all the diseases incident to the human body, consumption is the one that demands a co-operation of every means that art can invent, and supe- rior talent direct, to cure pr controul. It is a difficult task, if not impossible, to prescribe general rules for the treatment of a pulmonary complaint, that has already made a certain progress, and to successfully ward off a variety of nlenacing symptoms that have their origin in age, peculiarity of constitution, stage of disease, change of climate, and a variety of accidental circum- stances. But it is at least, often in the power of the physician, who accompanies an in- valid, to counteract various symptoms, which, if neglected, would augment during a journey, and perhaps speedily lay the INTRODUCTION. XY ground- work of an incurable affection ; as it is also next to an impossibility for an absent phj^sician, to direct the management of a patient under any of the above circum- stances, I believe, and examples corroborate the opinion, that changing the residence of consumptive persons to a mild climate, often arrests the progress of disease, and not un- frequently re-establishes health: but in those cases, the lungs are not sustaining tuber- cular inflammation, nor have they, probably, in any other way experienced the changes requisite to constitute true phthisis. In recommending a change of climate, we ought first to notice the ability of a patient to support a long journey, his habit, then the stage of the disease, the season of the year, and the kind of weather in that season. The stage of the complaint is certainly of the first importance, but unless the other XVI INTRODUCTION. circumstances be well observed also, inci- pient disease will put on a confirmed form before the arrival at the place of destination; so that though seemingly of a secondary consideration, they often decide on the fate of the patient. If a dominion of cold winds in autumn creates inflammation of the mucous mem- brane which is spread over the bronchiae in persons in health, it is reasonable to con- clude, that the lungs of a delicate female^ already too irritable, will become more so, and from the slightest excitement proceed to active inflammation. I am persuaded, that if the health of persons \s ho arrive at Nice, could be contrasted with the health of those in a similanstate in Eng- land, at the time the former quitted it, we should find in a number of instances, that instead of being benefited by the journey, they were weaker, their coughs more violent INTRODUCTION. XVll and accesses of fever more frequent. Nay, these changes often occur on the journey, sometimes accompanied with pain in the side, great shortness of breathing, h^moptoe and purulent expectoration. Notwithstand- ing all the skill and attention of medical at- tendants, it often in such cases happens, that the patient ends a miserable life in some comfortless inn, or under less violent symp- toms is prevailed on to resume the journey, and then pays the debt of nature on the spot where he expected to regain his * health. This is a common occurrence, and obliges us to acknowledge, that patients quit Eng- land at too late a period, when every reme- dy has been tried in vain, and that the for- lorn hope of a change of chmate is the only one that remains. Consulted by some at Nice, by others at Montpellier,. I usually had to contend with a disease in its last b XXm INTPvODUCTlON. stage, where I was obliged to employ every remedy that could mitigate, though but for a short time, the violence of predominant symptoms* I found commonly upon enquiry, that the complaints of these persons were muchless violent before they left England, and that accidental difSculties on the road had every now and then occurred, and invariably added to the patient's sufferings. I think that people, who have the more alarming symptoms of phthisis, such as hectic fever, violent cough, purulent spitting, and extenuation to a certain de- gree, and indeed in whom the disease has not yet acquired so deep a root, ought never to risk a journey to Nice. I would also add, that if luider favorable circumstances an- invalid should attempt the experiment, and that his cough grew worse on the road, and fever came on, he should immediately desist from traveUino:, and await an entire INTRODUCTION. XIX disappearance of these symptoms before he resumed thejournev. Our hopes of success in controlhng this disease are slight, unless a seasonable period be chosen to try the influence of a milder air, a circumstance proving in itself that a delay in England, of a few weeks duration only, may be of the most pernicious consequence. I am well aware, that physicians recommend their patients to go abroad long before the consent of their friends is obtained, and that an entire season not unfrequently elapses before they agree to change the climate. It appears to me, that those patients who derive little or no advantage from summer weather in our own country, are "not very likely to be benefited by a winter's residence at Nice. If mild weather here produces no favorable change in them, nor in any degree lessens the violence of disease, what advan- tage are they to expect from the climate of b2 XX INTRODUCTIOlNr. Nice ? I think not any. It is only from the persuasion that temperate air and gentle exercise do good, that it is advisable to re- commend a journey to them, for in that case a winter's residence in London would probably prove fatal, and might be highly useful at Nice. But if on the contrary, the patient's health decays gradually, and the symptoms of his complaint are equally se- vere at all times, I should use the whole of my influence to keep him at home, and there provide him with all the little comforts his situation required, and which he would look for in vain in a foreign country. Every accurate observer, who has been sent to the Continent, to conduct patients with consumption, will, I think, unite with me in opinion, that convalescence is only to be obtained by strictly conforming to these premises. If-it should in any case be decided for an INTRODUCTION. XXI invalid to go to Nice for the benefit of his health, I hope the following advice to him may prove acceptable, especially as I ima- gine him to be without a physician. How- ever strong the necessity may be for con- sumptive people to strictly adhere to the rules I shall prescribe for them, it is by no means requisite for other invalids, whose debilitated frame is their sole ailment, to follow them with the same exactness. The person's inclination, convenience, and taste, may be permitted to guide him in the choice of a regimen and residence. Thq difficulty with which travelHng is attended in the southern parts of France, and the general want of comfortable bed- ding, are circumstances that render it pru- dent for a delicate person to take a bed and blankets with him. He should in the next place, take great care to avoid the j^vening air, which in autumnal months is XXll INTRODUi:TION. very apt to give cold, and he should com- mence his journey by short distances, aug- menting them as he finds his strength, capable of the fatigue. The traveller must expect a vast deal of shaking, whether he is in his own carriage, or in one of the country, a circumstance that is vexatious to every one, and often detrimental to delicate women, especially in a state of pregnancy. People who are used to the roads in England, can have no idea what a source of embarrassment they prove in France. In order, therefore, to avoid such an inconvenience, the patient had bet- ter continue his route from Avignon to Nice, by water, as by far the worst part of the road is from the former to the latter place. This perhaps might subject him to some difficulty, but the voyage would most likely contribute to his recovery, which would not alwaysbe the case, if lie shouldtravel by land. INTRODUCTieN. x%m Arrived at Nice, he should take a laxative draught, remain quiet for tv^^o or three days, Kve upon very light food, drink diluting liquids, and by these means carry off any little heat and irritation the journey might produce. A suitable residence is not always the easiest thing to obtam. There is a number of handsome houses in the Croix de Marbre, but I think they are too near the sea for consumptive people. . The best adapted, are those on the surrounding hills, which are not only the most pleasant, but the most healthy. They are less exposed to the evaporations of the sea, but are, it is true, rather difficult of access. It is a singular fact, that the inhabitants of Nice and Provence always send their consumptive patients away from the sea, to avoid the irritation occasioned by the eva- porations of the salt water. We, on the XXIV INTRODUCTION. contrary, order them to live by the sea 3ide^ A dry atmosphere would be more suitable in affections of the chest, accompanied with excessive relaxation of the membrane of the bronchia?, and which is always ascertained by a copious glairy expectoration ; but where the cough is very troublesome and without any spitting, then a habitation near woods, and in the vicinity of aqueous exhalations, would be more eligible, and of this kind, many are to be found amongst the hills around Nice. When the invalid is imable to go out, he should take great care that his apartments are not over-heated. They should never exceed 64 degrees of Farenheit, nor be under Go. But J lay the greatest stress on equitation,, when he is capable of supporting th^ exer- cise. Without seeking to explain the man^ ner of its curing a variety of chronic com-^ plaints, we may just observe, that it in- fluences generally all tl^e functions of life; INTRODUCTION, XXT Changes are produced in the order of the circulation, as well from the inhalation of an invigorating air, as from the diversion that variation of scene occasions. It is, however, W^ith riding as with every other part of the system recommended to be pursued; a suitable season, and seasonable |iours, are both required to employ it to advantage. A patient can hardly venture out before nine in the morning, nor after three, at least not imtil the spring approaches, and then he may go out at an earlier hour. I consider equitation as one of the most powerful reme- dies in consumptive cases, and 1 can ensure ' much benefit from it, if the patient should have the resolution to persevere in its usQ. He ^hould not be discouraged, although no visi-^ ble amendment appears at the end of a month or two, for that would in most cases be much too soon to expect convalescence, ^n agreeable freshness will by degrees pene^ tr^te the whole body, the resjpiration, w\\\ XXVI INTRODUCTION. become freer, and the functions of life mqre animated : new health will circulate in every vein, and pure serenity reflect a sentiment of happiness upon the whole day. The strongest argument in favor of this preventive remedy, in short, of exercise of any description is, that those whose occu- pations in life compel them to remain in the open air a great part of the day, and to undergo much bqdily exertion, are found to be more exempt fi'^m phthisical tendeiacy y than any other class of people. It may be here also proper to remark, that nothing is more likely to encrease the disposition to pulmonary consumption than inactivity, unfavorable positions of the body at a work- table, for by this means the circulation of the blood through the lungs is incomplete ; and it rarely happens, unfortunately, that one of these causes alone contributes to pro- mote phthisis: to all the ills arising from confinement, mav be added, those which a INTRODUCTION. XXVil warm and stagnant atmosphere commonlj rpet with in the apartments of this descrip- tion of invaUds rniist inevitably produce. In order to render our plan completely successful, it will be highly essential to enforce with every suitable argument, the propriety of warm clothing. In general we do not sufficiently advert to the good effects arising from a proper envelopement of the body in flannel, to ensure its constant use. Not only the chest, the neck, the arms^ the legs, and feet, should be well covered with this appropriate clothings but in short, every * part of the body; and it would be highly advantageous, were the person to cover the head and face, whenever exposed to the atmosphere, vvith a hat lined with fur, which should closely encircle the face, and a f^r tippet so placed round the peck, chest, and face, as to prevent irri- tating particles from falling upon the lungs. XXVIU INTRODUCTION. In vain will a phthisical invalid look for a return to health, even in a temperate cli- mate, unless he strictly conforms to these rules, for although the variations of the temperature of the atmosphere are more uniform, yet he should pay great attention to every collateral aid. To air, e:5^ercise, diet, and clothing, we must not forget to add warm bathing, which certainly acts as a preservative against pulmoiiary disorders, by promoting a regular perspiration, and allaying febrile heats. Great benefit has been known to follow the daily use of the tepid bath, for half an hour; an accelerated pulse has been ob- served to become uniform ; hectic heat has disappeared ; and the progress of the disease has been evidently arrested. The tepid bath does not increase debility, but on the^ pontrary, produces healthy excitement. I differ with those who think a residence IKTRODtrCTIOIT. XXI JC in this country for a few months sufficient to accomplish a recovery. The changes which climate produces are slow, and re- quire an abode of two or three seasons. I admit it is a great sacrifice to leave our friends, our native soil, and all the comforts attached to an English habitation, for so long a time, but surely we are compensated for it, in the recovery of health, and the agreeable amusements which the country offers. At the time convalescence is sought, the mind may be delighted by the study of botany, mineralogy, and zoology, every one of which may be here prosecuted with the highest satisfaction. Thus an antidote is found to languor, while instruc- tion is afforded to the mind. A life spent in this way, w^ould re-produce vermillion on the cheeks of the pallid fair, and instil new health into her frame, when she perhaps the least expected it. XXX . lI^TRODUCTIOl^i To these useful means employed abroad> tnay be added, an agreeable society at home; but it should not be such as in any degree implicates the personal ease of the valetu^ dinarian, especially by exposing him to an impure atmosprierC;, arising ^ from a number of persons in the same room. With regard to the diet of invalids, much must depend upon their temperaments. In general every kind of wine and fermented liquor is injmious, and in place of them> whey, butter-milk, barley and rice water, toast and water, water with orange juice, and refreshing drinks of a similar kind, should be substituted. Ragouts, spices, and salted aliment, must also be rejected. Instead of them, light soups, vegetables, fish, panadas of bread and of biscuit, new laid eggs, the flesh of fowl and of rabbit should be taken, and in short, that sort' of diet which is cal- culated to afford an abundance of nutritious IKTRODUCTIO^^* XXXl aliment. The exhausted state of the consti- tution of phthisical people, renders it highlj necessary to pay great attention to this part of the regimen. Unless nature be well sup- plied with wholesome food; the tendency to phthisis will in my opinion be augmented. The diet may be sometimes composed of milk, vegetables, and farinaceous seeds. Jellies, and when milk diet does not ex- clude its use, ripe fruit, such as oranges, pomegranates, figs, boiled apples, baked pears, and the peach \\'hen it agrees w^ith the stomach ; but of every fruit, perhaps, the grape is the best : it is a nutritious aliment, and one of the most salutary nature bestows on us. I recommend them to be taken morning and evening, with a biscuit or a crust of bread. The grape is also a remedy for consumption, and had been said to have cured it oftener than once. Care should be taken to choose only those that are quite ripe. XXxil iNTRODtrCTIGN. The lettuce, as a vegetable, is one I would advise the use of. It refreshes exceedingly the stomach, and allays feverish heats. Cauliflower, endives of various sorts, dande- lion, and young roots, may all form a part of the diet. Patients should not be confined to certain hours of dining, nor should they make a full meal. They had better eat often, and at any hour they may please. I have no doubt, but that persons who arrive in this country with a tendency to consumption, or even with incipient phthisis, may, by adhering to the ruks here prescrib- ed, recover their health, and live to enjoy the society of their friends, who looked with dismay to the consequences of an alarming disease. THE ANCIENT AND MODERN HISTORY OF MICE. A SECTION L TOPOGRAPHY OF NICE* .T the western extremity of Italy, upon the shore of the Mediterranean, and the banks of the rapid Paglion, close to the foot of Montalban^ we discover Nice, remarkable for the mildness of its climate, the antiquity of its foundation j and the vicissitudes it has experienced. It commands the most extensive plain in the department of the maritime alps, and abundantly produces all the necessaries of life. The mountains, which over- hang Nice to the east^ defend Villefranche. It presents, from its situation, a most formidable barrier, and bounds the chain of mountains which takes its course through Piedmont. A part of the town of Nice faces the south, but by far the B ^ TOPOGRAt>ttY. greater part is to the north. It extends to the north on the Turin road, and on the east is barri- caded with rocks ihat have set at defiance the eiforts of the most potent states in Europe. Its greatest length is from north to south, the latter extremity forming an angle by its communica- tion with the ramparts, the port, and the Paglion. It is at the western angle that the Paglion, after pursuing its usually devious and lengthened course through the adjacent country, rushes with im- petuosity, when swelled with rain, into the sea, and presents a noble coup d^ccil to the spectator. Nice is elosely encircled on its eastern side by mountains, which, as they retreat from the Medi- terranean, slope gently to the north, until be- coming more and more advanced, they form a semicircle, which is completed beyond the Var, and upon that surprising mountain the Esterelles, The plain thus formed is encroached on by the sea, which, meeting no obstacle, has produced a most delightful bay, extending as far as Antibes to the west, and to a corresponding prominence on the shores of Italy to the eaat. * TOPOGRAPHY. 3 Kic€, in its present state, does not exceed a mile and a half in length, and about a mile in breadth. The suburbs and the town are divided by the Paglion ; but in the summer months the waters are so low that the inhabitants pass and re- pass on a bridge of planks, which they construe! in order to obviate the circuit they are obliged to make by traversing the stone bridge. The Paglion may be considered a very dan- gerous neighbour for Nice. If the ramparts be not raised, or some other precaution taken, it is much to be apprehended it will inundate the town, particularly the new end of it. This ac- cident had nearly happened in November, 1803. The bridge was rebuilt in 1531, at the expence of the town, in consequence of its being carried ^way by the impetuosity of this river.* Upon a stone placed near the bottom of the bridge are inscribed these lines : — " Pons sacer ! eithaustas celsis de montibus undas, Respuit etrapidas hie Paglronis aquas/* * RevelU says, in his Diary M. Sr 1530, '* Die Dominica iiona Octobris, maxima aquarum inundantia Nicaeae Pontem, possessiones ac rauros innanaerabiles violenter ruinanterc^ue dejecit.*" b2 4, TOPGGRAPHYr It is likewise recorded that the fall of waters had been so considerable, and the Paglion so ex- tremely augmented, that, in 1744, some thousands? of French and Spanish troops were lost in at- tempting to cross it during an engagement with some Piedmontese soldiers. The ancient splendour of Nice has greatly suf- fered from the many sieges it has been exposed to. The triumphant army of Francis I. and the fleet of the Ottoman ^ pirate, Barbarossa, almost consumed the town and destroyed the edifices. The effects of its deterioration were^ for a while, lost sight of in the repairs accomplished by the generosity of the House of Savoy, but, gradu- ally losing its former consideration, and ever involved in war, the monastery, churches, con- vents, and other pubHc buildings, have almost all since fallen into decay. Anterior to the French revolution, Nice was infinitely more interesting than at present, though its pristine magnitude and importance had already been considerably reduced. Of its ancient sub- urbs there only existed at that period the 2 TOPOGRAPHY. i relics, and especially of those which ran in a north easterly direction from the gate of Pairolera. The extensive suburbs, which equally embel- lished the road on the western side of the stone bridge are now reduced to those of the Croix de Marbre, but being of modem architecture are spacious and lofty, and the usual residence of opulent strangers. The castle, built on the summit of a steep rock, and once deemed impregnable, with all the fortifications which defended the town, are now but a heap of ruins. During the war of succession it was taken by Marshal Berwick, fifty- five days after the trenches were opened. The garrison, which was reduced to six hun- dred men, forced the commandant to capitulate. Berwick ordered it to be demolished in conse- quence of the express commands of Louis XIV. The walls of the remaining rampaits are by no means strong, though when Nice was under the sovereignty of Duke Emanuel Philibert, the whole town, castle, fortifications, and walls, v/ere in the best state of defence. Bastions were erected in 6 TOPOGRAPHY. several places, and many precautions taken tA augment the force of the outworks. There are two fine squares at Nice. The houses which form Place Victor are regularly buiit, and have piazzas. It was intended undeir the government of the House of Savoy to erect the statue of the prince whose name it bears. A monument of some kind is wanting to counteract its uniformity. Since the French have added this part of the continent to their dominions, the Place Victor has taken the name of Place de la Republique. The road to Turii^ has its begin- ning here, and forms a large opening in the square : another pass to the right, leads to Villef ranch© and the adjacent hilU. The south west quarter of the town is the handsomest, and of modern architecture. The streets are wide and run in a straight line. The public walk is in this neighbourhood, and is a de- lightful resource in the summer, when the &«n is above the horizon. Its beautiful scenery is, how- ever, much obscured by the terrace which stretches along the coast. In the middle of the TOPOGRAPHY. 7 walk a fountain has been lately constructed, whereon a paltry figure has been erected, repre- senting Catherine Sequeiran, heroine of Nice, with a Turk at her feet, whom she had knocked down with a club. The fact to which this alludes constitutes a memorable event in the History of Nice. In the eastern part of the town are the univer- sity, hospital, and botanical garden ; but the streets throughout are so narrow and dirty, that few people take the trouble to go thither. A foul air also circulates around, which annoys every body but the inhabitants, who are habituated to it. The shops are well stored, but small, dark, and filthy ; a number of people occupy the same house, which, added to the circumstances just mentioned, by no means renders a residence inr that quarter desirable^ Nice possesses a theatre, which awakens the hopes, without realizing the expectations, of the public. The edifice, without being despicable, offers little to admire, and, perhaps, it is not m 8 TOPOGRAPHY. unfortunate circumstance, that, in such a warm climate, the valetudinarian should be so little tempted to expose his health. It is sufficiently Jarge for the nurnber of spectators ; but a com* mon failing in this, and most provincial theatres, is that the finances of the company (}o not adr mit of an illumination sufficient to give the objects an interesting colouring. The decorations and scenery are exceedingly indifferent, while a small expence might render the house commodi^ ous and tasty, apd the affluence of strangers en^ courage the directors to procure rnore worthy per-f formers. 1 learn, that previously to the revor lution the theatre was well frequented, and the company on a better footing. It is absolutely necessary for those who live in the suburbs to have a carriage, which may be hired for the day or the evening ; the sanje thing, in point of payment, for fifteen francs, or at the rate of fifteen pounds per month. Whether you use your own carriage, or the coachman's, the ex- pence is just the same, although the convenience }^ materially different. TOPOGRAPHY. ^ The public library, though the foundation is of jnodern date, contains a number of volumes, and some manuscripts. It is open every day to th^ public, but, as there are not many scientific men at the present day in Nice, the arts and sciences are not so much advanced by them as they might be. Fortunately for the Nissards, the hbrary hasj escaped the pillaging hands of the revolutionists in the last war, an omission they could not justly be taxed with throughout the republics of Italy and other countries which they subdued. The jibrarian is a man of considerable information, and takes much pleasure in shewing attention to strangers. . The port is situated where there were very fine gardens formerly. It was left unfinished at the time the county of Nice passed under the do- minion of France, and was to have extended as far as the Place de la Republique. It is defend- ed at its entrance by a mole, which is by no means handsome, and often requiring repair on account Qf the violence of the surf, and the consequent yielding of the stone- work. The government has 10 TOPOGRAPHY, it in contemplation to repair it, and to prosccut0 the other works. A greater service cannot be rendered to the department, and to Nice in par-f ticular, to which a good port would be a sQurce of riches. Besides, it is of much consequence to piedmont, being the only place where the pro-* duce of that part of Italy can be exchanged for what is imported by sea. The entrance to the port is so small, that vessels of great burthen can- not enter ; but small coasting vessels, feluccas, and open boats, are commonly to be met with in it. On the side of the harbour are several good warehouses, which, since the peace, are agaii^ open to merchandize. The port is very commodious to those who are fond of swimming; but the entrance into Jt I think more so. The months of December and January are not too cold for bathing ; on the contrary, I never omitted the opportunity when it was in my power. There are boats and men at the port whom you engage, at a louis per month, for this purpose ; but, as the shore is rather dangerous, it is difficult to embark, either TOPOGRAPHY. IJ behind the Croix de Marbre or elsewhere. Yotj must therefore put up with the inconvenience of riding or walking to the harbour. With re- spect to meer bathing, ladies should venture in with great caution, and never stoop without taking hold of a rope w^hen a wave passes them. There is no convenience for that salutary purpose, those, therefore, who are willing to try, must adopt the plan proposed, or run the risk of re- ceding with a w^ave, which, on account of the rapid descent of the coast, retires with equal cele- rity and strength. A handsome terrace supports and consolidates the baeks which oppose the inroads of the sea, and forming a delightful walk for the inhabitants, may be considered amongst the principal embellish- ments of the place. The lodgings situated on the terrace are not v^ry numerous, but command an extensive view of the Mediterranean. The ter- race often e^^hibits a concourse of the heau-monde of Nice. The English families seldom reside in this quarter, though there are very few parts fither of the towni or suburbs where they could be 19 TOPOGRAPHY. more comfortably situated. It is seldom that the invalid cannot exercise himself on the terrace ; and if the day be fine, the beauty of the surround- ing prospect must infuse new hilarity and life into his veins. The pubhc walk is close to |he sea, and extends from the port to the extremity of the ramparts, forming a very considerable circuit. It is generally well frequented at five or six in the evening. The inhabitants, who for the most part amuse themselves on the terrace or the walk, for two or three hours, go from thence to the theatre, and there conclude the amusement of the evening. Descending the stairs on the left, which lead you into the town, is another walk, parallel with the terrace, agreeably shaded by a row of trees, whose extended foliage forms a canopy of the most refreshing nature during the burning heat of summer. There is also a walk which leads quite round the town, and is delightful from the T^riety of views it commands. On leaving the Place de la Republique to go to the ramparts you see the Paglion, the suburbs, and the chain of hills, which stretches from north t© TOPOGRAPHY* IS south, forming a semicircle. Advancing onwards you have a dehghtful perspective of the sea and coast as far as Antibes, which is pecuHarly beau- tiful by the light of the moon, when her pale and sombre beams, streaming through the dusky waste, quiver on the wave, and tint the adjacent hills with a soothing association of light and shade. I visited Nice at a very unfavourable mo- ment, and write rather to describe the marks of barbarian fury than the ingenuity of the archi- tect. The rage of the revolution, carried to an almost inconceivable excess, has scarcely left any hotel or mansion of grandeur without marks of degradation. The houses in the suburbs of the Croix de Marbre, and on the side of the road leading to the Var, as well as a variety of buildings in the town, have all shared the same fate. Nice has been continually involved in a succes- sion of misfortunes. In the year 1218, 1 6 1 S, and 1644, but principally in July and August, 1564, the villages of St. Martin, Bolena, Belvidere. 14 tOPOGRAPHY. Venanson, &ct were nearly destroyed by att earthquake. It is said that the shock wa^ so great, that it stopped the course of the Vesu* bia for some hours, that chasms opened large enough to receive entire mountains, and that others fell with a frightful ''crash. Since then the bottom of the port of Yillefranche is observed to be lowered. The misfortunes of this town terminated in 1748 for a while, and day after day improvements became more general, obliterating in some de- gree the scenes of misery and devastation she had been so often doomed to witness. But, in the year 1799, an epidemic visited thei town, and carried off a sixth part of the population. The first cause of the disease was the continual motion of the troops: without exaggeration, a million passed through Nice in the course of the revolution. It is well known that the armies were frequently in want of every thing. Bad nourishment and bad clothing were sooji followed by the most distressing consequences. The hospitals, which were crowded; could not accom- Manners and chahacter. II tiiodate all the sick, a circumstance which obliged ihe inhabitants to lodge them in private houses: infection was by this means soon propagated, and every house became a lazaretto. SECTION 11. MANNERS, CHARACTER, LANGUAGE, RELIGION, AMUSEMENTS, OLD AND NEW ADMINISTRA- TION, COMMERCE, AND MANUFACTUR,ES OF THE NISSARDS. The Nissards differ in their manners froM the inhabitants of Provence and Italy. Sordid interest and unprincipled selfishness, notwithstanding the allegations of many travellers, are by no means the characteristics of every class of this people. The Nissards are in general mild, humane, peace- able, and complaisant. They are gay, lively, and pleasant in company; in one word, their manners upon the whole are interesting, and congenial with the mildness of the climafee. . The inhabitants of the country, though poor, and, as it were, seques- tered from the world, are civil, and perfect 16 MANTVERS AND CHARACTER. Strangers to the vic^ engendered by luxury, and to the violent passions which agitate the great. They are constantly occupied in providing for the subsistence of their families, in cultivating their fields, or watching their flocks. Nothing can equal their persevering patience at work ; no obstacle disheartens them; and they bear with equal firmness, bodily fatigue and mental anxiety. Fashion has not extended her imperious dominion over them, for they still retain the dress and man- ners of their forefathers. Whenever a traveller arrives in any one of their villages, let him be ever so little known to them, they hasten to welcome him, and invite him to partake of their frugal re^ past. They often give up their beds to strangers, and in every respect present us with an emblem of ancient hospitality : but this character only ap- plies to the inhabitants of the interior of the coun- try. Towards the frontiers of Piedmont they are irascible, and subject to gusts of passion, which frequently produce very desperate conflicts. When they cannot find employment at home, where there aie neither commerce nor manufactures. MANNERS AND CHARACTER. 17 they seek a subsistence in foreign countries* Those who can afford to buy a little merchandize hawk it about the country, until they acquire enough wealth to begin shop-keeping. With such small beginnings, by arrasgement and economy, some of them have left fortunes, which their industrious children have augmented to immense property, even to millions sterling. There are many in- stances of this kind, and two are well known at Lyons and Marseilles : one is the house of Folo- san, the other is the family of Bruni, two mem- bers of which were presidents of the second chamber of the parliament of Aix before the revolution. It is from the northern district that so many of them emigrate with their organs, cymbals, and magic lanterns, to amuse the people and children over all Europe. After an absence of eight or ten years, the greater part of them return with some httle savings, which assist them to enlarge .their fields, to buy cattle, and get married. Tired of a wandering and laborious life, they return to finish their days under the humble roof that gave them c IB MANNERS AND CHARACTER. birth, far from the noise and tumult of towns. It is there they relate to their children what has most attracted their attention in their travels. It might be supposed they would contract some of the vices prevalent in great towns ; they retain, how- ever, their former simplicity of manners and indus- try. They consider their present situation happy when they compare it with the fatiguing life they have led to attain it; even their little vanity is gratified in being considered the richest of the hamlet, respected by all, and looked upon as the oracles of the country. These advantages turn the heads of the young peasants, and make them sigh for an organ and magic lantern. The inhabitants, particularly those on the coast, live very frugally: a small quantity of bread (for lately the pound of twelve ounces has been sold from four to six sols), with some fruij, herbs, and vegetables, generally compose their food*: some- times they have a little salt fish, very rarely any fresh, and still more rarely meat. The effects of t^is mode of living on their persons are veryvisi- hl«: corpulency and florid complexions are seldom MANNERS AND CHARACTER. 19 to be met with : the most of them, particularly near Monaco, are tawny and very thin. The forced sobriety and labour of these people reoail to mind the assuetu's malo Ligur of Virgil. ^ It is probable that the state of these unfortu- nate Ligurians has undergone little or no change during the lapse of two hundred years. In the greater number of the small towns and villages situated in the interior part of the country, and among the mountains, the peasants have neither clocks, sim-dials, nor barometers of any descrip- tion : the crowing of the cock, and the position of the stars, regulate the hours of the night, and the course of the sun those of the day. The inhabir tants, by their observations of the planets, will tell you the hour with nearly as much precision as if it were indicated by a clock. They also predict with a great degree of certainty the changes of the weather. Passing most of their time in the fields, and being endowed with a quick sight and^ retentive memory, they collect a number of httle factSjVhich enable them to acquire a kind of con- fused foresisfht that resembles in s^reat measure. C 2 fO MANNERS AND CHARACTER. that instinctive presage of approaching changes of weather which we observe in animals. By this., and with the assistance of some local circum- stances, such as a fog at a certain hour, and on a certain part of the horizon, a cloud of a particular colour on the top of some mountain, or the flight or chirping of birds, they can prognosticate the alterations of weather as well, if not better, than any meteorologist. With respect to the persons and appearance of the Nissards, they have nothing very agreeable or interesting. The men have a very tawny com- plexion ; their face is rather flat, and their eyes small and dark. They are of a good stature, and Well made, but for the most part thin. The wo- men are neither ugly nor pretty, neither dark nor fair : most of them are of an intermediate com- plexion. Their society would be more agreeable were their understandings better cultivated, and the French language a little more familiar. There are, however, many exceptions to this in several ^f the towns, particularly at Nice. They dress nearly in the same manner as in other parts of LANGUAGE. 21 France: some of them still wear fringed caps, which become them very well, and to which a stranger is soon accustomed. In their dress they appear to prefer white to other colours. I recol- lect going to the cathedral of Nice on a holiday, and on entering my eyes were quite dazzled with a display of snowy white, which is rarely to be seen elsei^^here. This habit, which is expensive in large towns, is here very suitable to the climate^ where they have frequently six months of the year without rain. LANGUAGE.-»-REUGIOUS CJ^iREMONIES. The language of Nice, and of that part of the department contiguous to the Var, is the dialect of Provence, mixed with a number of words derived from the Itahan. This patois is not unintelligi- ble to the inhabitants of Marseilles, though that of Monaco, at the distance of four leagues from Nice, is entirely so. The patois of Monaco differs from that of Menton ; each of them is composed of the dialects of Provence, Liguria, and Pied- mont; but the idioms of the two latter predomi- 22 LANGUAGE. Bate. A few Spanish words have crept into thend, which might have been expected, as the Spani^ ards kept a garrison at Monaco, while that princi* pahty was under their protection. They pro- nounce the final syllables in a singing tone. Be-^ fore Julius Caesar, three different idioms were known in Gaul 1. The Cantabric, of which there are yet traces in Biscay. 2. The Belgic, which is a root of the German. 3. The Celtic which was employed from the Mediterranean to the British Channel. The Celtic was used in Provence till the fourth century, by which time the Phoceans had gene- rally made known the Greek language, and the Romans had introduced the Latin. The Celtic idiom became softer by this mixture, but less pure. The Goths, Huns, Vandals, Lombards, and other barbarians, introduced their particular idi- oms, so that about the tenth century a language, composed of all these jargons, took the name of Provencal. From the tenth to the seventeenth centuries, the African, the Arragon, Spanish, and^ Italian expressions gradually crept in. The ^V^-^ LANGUAGE. 93 peror Julian said the Gauls croaked like crows, and the inhabitants of Draguinan have to this day a guttural pronunciation. At Grasse the language is cadenced. The French language is not so generally used in the department of the maritime alps, as could be wished : every where, except in that part of the country belonging to the diocese of Glan- deves, the Itahan is used for education : hence, even some of those employed in public situations write bad French. As people go regularly to mass and sermons, it might be useful to direct the mi- nisters of worship to deliver their instructions in French. Even at Monaco, the Itahan is preferred, though the French have been there upwards of one hundred and fifty years. " La langue Provencale,^^ says Mr. Dulaune, " qui est generalement en usage a Marseilles par ses mignardises et ses diminutifs r^cit dans la bouche des femmes un charme qui reflue sur celles qui la parlent tandis que chez un homme du peu- ple elle rebute par ses sons aigus, ses durs et aigres grasseyemens.'^ I here present the reader with a specimen of the dialect of Provence. ^ 24? RELIOION. It is the Lord's Prayer, Gopied from a celebrated work presented to one of the Popes, containing that Prayer in all the known languages. " Oratio Dominica provinciali dialecto." ^^ Nouastre Paire qu^ sias oou ciele, que vouas^ tre noum siegue santificat ; que vouastre rouyao^ ume nous arribe. Que vouastre voulounta siegue facho su la terro, coumo din lou ciele. Dounas^ nou encui nouastre pan de cade jou. Pardounas- nou nouastrei ooufensos coumo lei pardounan k n'aquelei que nous an ooufensas. E nou leissez; pa sucoumba a la tentatien : mai dejivra nou doou maou." ^' En sin sie.'^ It is however probable that the French language will ultimately obtain universal reception, as all the proclamations and orders of governmept are liow published in it. Thp Nissards are fervent in their devotion, and though not altogether exempt from superstition, are less credulous than the inhabitants of other places in the same department. I extract from the author of a- Tour through the Maritime Alps, the following account of the devotion of the inhabit- RELIGION. 25 ants of Monaeo.— " Having witnessed their re- ligious ceremonies during the whole day, which were performed with great fervor, after vespers there was a grand procession round tlie square, which is before the church. Two beings, sick with the palsy, were dragged about by their friends and relations ; and, besides the fatigues of a long journey, they were exposed with their heads bare to the scorching rays of the sun, which occasioned the most violent perspiration. They continued this excessive exercise for a long time, in confident expectation of a miracle being worked. How^ever, theHoIy Virgin was not pleased to use her interces- sion, though I amfarfrom disputing her influence ; nor, what was still more singular, did these ex- treme measures produce any favourable or un- favourable crisis. While some accompanied the procession, others in the church were imploring the Virgin. Women and children were seen prostrated before the altar, stretching forth their suppUcating hands, and rending Heaven with their cries. This scene being as disgusting to the 'philosophic eye of reason as the wretches dragged S0 RELIGION. nbout at the procession, I retreated under the shade of a wild fig-tree, and meditated on the weakness and infirmities of the human race. '' Several towns and villages in this department have a saint celebrated for the cure of some dis- ease. The inhabitants of Monaco possess St. Ro- man, who cures quartan fevers ; other fevers are not under his controul. St. Devote is the patron of the town, and in truth his name and the fame of his miracles have not a little contributed to its welfare. An orator composes an annual penegyric. I was present at that delivered last year. It would be difficult to forjn an idea of the absurd fictions delivered from the pulpit. These holi- days are not always appropriated to devotion. While some are praying others are seeking less holy amusements, not forgetting dancing, without which, these people could not exist. In general they have not much religion ; but this is not the only instruction in which they are deficient. Whether it proceeds from a want of taste for the sciences, literature, and the arts, or whether they kaTe not the means of procuriag instruction, I AMUSEMENTS. £/ cannot determine, though I imagine that both of these causes operate. Ail branches of know- ledge are here in their infancy. Tbeh favourite study is jurisprudence, which, before the con- quest, opened the way to places of emolument."'^ Before I take leave of this subject I ought to observe, in justice to the Nissards, that I never witnessed any thing in their worship deviating from the strictest decency and most fervid de- votion. All the religious ceremonies, commonly performed in other Catholic countries, are scru- pulously observed at Nice ; and, though the au^ thor of a tour through the department of^ the maritime alps has justly rallied the inhabitants of some parts of the country upon the absur- dity of their devotion, his remarks do not, nor could they, with the least truth, apply to the Kissards, AMUSEMENTS OF THE INHABITANTS OF NICE. The beau-monde at Nice generally ride or walk out in the morning, and content themselves with an airing along the coast of the Mediterra- 2^ft AMUSEMENTS. nean upon the road leading to the Var, or by the banks of the Paglion, near which runs the great road to Turin. Such was at least the custom of the inhabitants previously to the revolution, whose society proved an agreeable change for strangers^ who came thither from most parts of Europe. It must be confessed that these roads ere not now much frequented by the Nissards, except on a Sunday; the revolution having ruined the richest families, there remain but few whose circumstances or education put them on a footing to keep company with strangers. No roads but those just mentioned are practicable for carriages; the curious, however, may find an infinite variety of agreeable walks and rides be- tween the enclosures of the country, and in the various valleys which intersect the mountains in almost every direction. Balls are frequent in the winter, to which the Enghsh and other strangers of rank are invited. It was formerly usual to give one or two in return, but, to the best of my recollection, that custom was omitted in 1802. AMUSEMENTS. 29 The Carnival is, of all festivals, the most cele* brated and gay, and is here, as in all Roman Catholic countries, observed very scrupulously. Scenes of festive mirth are very general among the better classes of society, and prove a source of pleasure and entertainment to the stranger. The amusements of the lower classes are ri diculous enough, though they can scarcely surpass the motley assemblage of every rank and every description at a masquerade. It is an in- teresting scene to witness the gaiety of the pea- sants and their families at wakes, which are held in several villages at certain periods of the year. The diversions of all, young and old, consist for the most part in dancing, singing, and in music^ jBufFoons perform to the gaping spectators, and entertain them highly by their burlesque ges- tures. The respectable families assemble alternately at each others houses, and pass the evening at cards, in concerts, and in dancing, when a party to the play is not made up. With respect to the customs which obtain, m 35 GOVERNMEKT. tlie general intercourse of the society of the Nis- sards, the traveller will find little or no difference from those which prevail generally throughout the neighbouring districts^ of France. OLD AND NEW GOVERNMENT OF NICE—BOARD OF HEALTH. - ^HE king of Sardinia, to whom the county of Nice belonged, took great pains in regulating the laws which applied to the judges and magistrates. Justice was administered in three supreme courts, established under the name of the Senate of Turin, Chanibery, and Nice. It was stipulated by the princes of the House of Savoy, that the persons appointed for magistrates should make oath tliat they neither gave silver nor gold, nor a compensation of any sort, for the situation with which they were about to be invented : that they would be true and trusty to the employment given them, exercise their authority with justice, and decide, and advise, without the least regard to persons implicated whenever so required to do- Moreover it was enacted that, represenring the king, they should support the dignity of their station in a manner suitable thereto. At the courts of Turin, Chambery, and Nice, the Appels d€s Baillages^ and other matters of adjudication, were determined. Of the three senates, Turin held the first rank, and was composed of three presidents, two attorney generals and their sub- stitutes, an advocate general for the poor, and twenty-one senators, who were formed into three chambers, two for the civil and one for the crimi- nal. The senate of Chambery consisted of two presidents and ten senators, an advocate, an at- torney general, some substitutes, and a clerk of records, all which were divided into two cham- bers. ^ ^ . The senate of Nice had only one president, six counsellors, and so on in proportion. The members of the senate were not allowed to ab- sent themselves from the town where the meet- ing was held, on the day of their assemblage, without permission from the king or the first president. When the meeting was opened, no 39 GOVERNMENT. member could go out, nor could the president give them permission. Any counsellor revealing the secrets before them was liable to be deprived of his place. The examinations of advocates were exceedingly rigid, a circumstance on which the King of Sardinia insisted with much severity. The senators were obliged to interrogate the candidate for forensic advancement, and satisfy themselves of his being eligible for the office he aspired to. In the same manner were they obliged to examine the deputies of provincial chiefs, and other subordinate officers, before they could take possession of their places. In short, unless merit obtained appointment, money or interest were unavailing, even ignominious, subjecting either party to penalty or disgrace. If an advocate undertook an unjust cause he was ' suspended from his employment, and obliged to refund the cost to his client. It was ordered that the examination of the attorneys should be more rigorous than those of the barristers. They were under the necessity of seeking numerous ' certificates, and after all were not received GOVERNMENT. S3 unless they had practised a year under the Pro- mreur of Nice, Turin, or Chambery. * Any person aiding the escape of a deserter was punished by working two years in the galleys, which was more severe if in time of war. The King of Sardinia was remarkably strict with re- gard to natives always residing in his kingdom. No family could relinquish their estates to fix themselves in another country without incurring a penalty of five hundred crowns, and five years labour in the galleys. If an absence exceeded ten years, all their goods were confiscated, even though permission were granted them either by the king or governors of districts to go abroad. * The obligations required for taking an oath in a suit for money, exceeding the amount of four hundred francs, were the most severe imaginable. The words composing the de- claration were enough to make the hardiest shudder. The attestation to the Almighty of their not being in debt to that amount was most sacred, invoking the omnipotent to bear witness, and demanding his chastisement in case their decla- rations were false ; that he would never give them succour or consolation -, that he would afflict them with perpetual mis- fortunes J and that his curse should be eternally on them. It was less rigid when the debt was smaller. 34? GOVERNMENT. Any subject that placed his money in a foreign bank, was at least forced to pay to the treasury a sum of the same amount. The king did not allow any other decorations than those of the country to be worn, with the single exception of the order of Malta, which was universally ad-r mitted. The dukes of Savoy had many orders of military chivalry, of which the most conspir cuous was the Annunciation, under the title of Collier, or Lac d Amour. The mark of tlie order is a blue riband, to which is suspended a medal, representing the mystery of the Annunciation, with a badge embroidered, which the chevaliey or knight wore upon the left side of his coat» The administration of the department now consists of the following establishments : a commandant for the military, a prefect and two sub-prefects for the civil jurisdiction. The judi- cial is composed of one criminal tribunal^ and tliree of common pleas. The criminal, and one of the tribunals for common pleas, are held at Nice ; the two sub-prefectures, and the other two tribunals, are at Puget de Theniers and GOVERNMENT, 35 Monaco. The latter was constituted, during the time of the convention, the principal town of the district, though it is situated at one of its extremities, where it would be very difficult to consult the other magistrates in case of necessity. It is also deficient in the common necessaries of life. There are several communes in the same district, more considerable, more central, conse- quently more conveniently situated for the public offices. Such is the situation of Sospello, w^hich affords every thing in which Monaco is deficient, It would be worthy of the present prefect^s attention to endeavour to bring about this change, whicli is earnestly sohcited by twenty thousand inhabitants. It is well known that this department, which is much poorer than those contiguous to it, pay^ considerably more taxes in proportion. The cause of this appears to be the conduct of those charged with the administration of the departnient in the time of the convention. Either from ignorance or motives of private interest, they demanded from government a much larger sum than was neces* D 2 do BOARD OF HEALTH. sary to defray the public expences of the depart* merit. Government established this as the standard for regulating the contributions of the country. This is what I have been assured at Nice. The police is very well regulated, and strangers reside in . perfect security. Though there were assassinations in Piedmont, and robberies from the banditti who retreat in the mountains, there was no risk in the town and suburbs of Nice. There are few thefts remain undiscovered, and there are occasionally ruffians executed who infest the department of the maritime alps. With respect to the peasants, I may venture to say that vice is but seldom seen among them, and as the best proof of it, I refer to the rare punishments of that description of people. Drunkenness and all its coincident misdemeanors and quarrels are almost unknown. The chief members of the senate, and most renowned physicians, formed^ council of health to watch over the public safety, to concert measures for the suppression of serious diseases. BOARD OF HEALTH. 37 ' and were possessed of considerable power in case of public exigency from sickness. They were also charged to appoint officers to guard the health of the pubhc in different districts. All persons concerned in the medical treatment of criminals, or in administering remedies, were compelled to apprize the magistrates, upon oath, of the nature of the invalid's sickness, his name, country, &c. upon pain of being fined in case of disobedience. At the present day there is a board of health formed by the principal physicians and surgeons of the town, who assemble once a week, or in every ten days, to enquire into the nature of the prevailing diseases, and regulate the affairs of the hospital, and report to the prefect all such matters as come under his cognizance. The board is composed of five or six members, amongst whom the most distinguished are, Messieurs Fodery and Schuderi. The former has ren- dered himself conspicuous by the skill he dis- played in the army of Italy, and since by his writings^ 3s eOMMfeRGBl* COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. The commerce of Nice is at present very trifling. Its exports consist of the principal productions of the country, such as oil, oranges, lemons, essences^ &c* The imports are clothes, linen, hosiery^ cutlery, spices, sugar, coffee, &c. A consider* able quantity of salt is also brought here from Provence and Languedoc. The greatest part of it is sent to Piedmont, which returns rice and cattle. The quantity of cattle now imported is much smaller than before the revolution. On this account it is difficult to find good beef at Nice : that of the country is indifferent. The aromatic plants, however, with which the country abounds, render the mutton and game excellent. The low price of money, and the heavy duties laid on foreign goods, were the reasons why the commerce of Piedmont was rather confined, to which must be added the scruples of the Custom- house officers, to let foreign goods enter ever^ after the payment of the duties. The quantity COMMERCE, ?9 of mulberry trees which are planted throughout Piedmont, and in a part af the country of Nice, shew that silk is no inconsiderable article of trade. It is a very principal commodity at Turin and Nice ; and a certain as well as abundant source (pf defraying taxes, and conducting an extensive commerce in exchange for other merchandize. The King of Sardinia, to encourage the growth of mulberry trees, laid a heavy imposition upon land, promising at the same time to diminish the burthen of this tax in proportion to the number of mulberry trees planted in each field, and to the quantity of silk produced. Until the late revolution in France^ the land-holders enjoyed the advantage of this grant of the king, and even held their territory free of imposition. So effec- tual was this edict, and so productive to the natives, that the manufacturer was no longer obliged to get silk from the Milanese or states of Venice, nor the king to complain of the want of trees to nourish silk- worms. The silk stockings of this country are said to be of better quality than those manufactured in Languedoc and Paris. 40 MANUFACTORIES. There are several valuable manufactories of soap, paper, and leather, in this town. Liqueurs, waK and tallow candles, and perfumeries of all kinds, abound here. The perfumers of Grasse come to Nice every year to distil their orange flowers, A large manufactory of salt petre has been lately established. A new kind of paper made of fucus jivularis, which grows in abundance ne^r all the rivers, succeeds very well : it is generally em-« ployed to pack the oranges exported fronx the town. There is likewise a rope manufactory. Various fruits are exported to Marseilles, bu^ its principal and most valuable source of riches is the ohve. The fair of Beaucaire is also a great mart for its merchandize. The oHves in the territory of Nice produce an oil as rich and as well flavoured as those of Aix. During the revolution, and in the short interval of peace, a number of French merchants esta-- blished themselves on the coast of Italy, and carried on an extensive trade with Nice and Marseilles ; but the superiority of the British navy having enabled us to shut up all the ports of th© PROVISIONS. ' 4»l Mediterranean, they are not likely to carry oa their concerns with so much success in future. SECTION III. PROVISIONS.— HOUSE RENT. Every article of provision is much increased at Nice since the French revolution. Butcher's meat in the year 1790 and 1791 was bought for about three sols a pound, veal about four sols, twelve ounces to the pound. Fish three or four sols : thirty sols was the. price of a hare, fowl, or a brace of partridges. Fish is dearer at present than any other article of diet, and at times cannot be procured for any amount. Beef, mutton^ veal, fowls, and game, were very dear in 1 802, though they sold at an exceedingly low price the two preceding years. In the depth of winter cauliflowers, beans, asparagus, lettuces, radishes, and cabbages are to be met with ; but these vegetables were far more plentiful formerly^ 4f IPRO VISIONS. when the number of strangers that occupied thd suburbs and country rendered it profitable for the gardener to cuhivate them. In shorty after the repeated calamities which have befallen Nice, it is surprising that the necessaries of life can be obtained in any sort of abundance. Generally speaking, the market is well supplied > and the traveller at no loss to find a good dinner* The poultry, it is true, is not of the finest flavor, but woodcocks are abundant and extremely dehcious, though rather dear. The vegetable scarcity of 1802 was abundantly compensated by the dessert. Olives, oranges, figs^ lemons, grapes, pears, apples, pomegranates, chesnuts, almonds, medlars^ filberts, dates, &c. made a part of each repast. The wine is very good at Nice, the best, the vin de bellet, may be had at about fifteen sols a bottle. The stranger generally drinks adulterated wine, and pays dearer for an inferior quality. Butter is of a bad flavor ; that made from goat's milk exceeds by far the sheep's milk : it is dear. The water before it is potable ought to be boiled, or at least exposed to the air for some time after 3 KOUSE KENt. 4$ it IS drawn from the well. There are springs of Vvater, but they are too far distant from the town to profit by them. Under the article of provisions it may not be uninteresting to mention some fish, which, if not abundant at Nice, may be met with in most places! of Provence in the way thither : the sea of Pro- vence affords a great variety of the best and choicest. Marseilles and Antibes are the most plentiful markets. Amongst other fish we find soles, the roach, sea perches, the gold-fish, ,anchovies, and sardines, the former of whiclv abound in the vicinity of Frejus. Several specie^ of the mullet. Authors mention many more ; the turbot, tli^ stock-fish, the sturgeon, taken in the Rhone: the tunny, the dolphin, the shark, the conger, &c. The Rhone furnishes in abund- ance pikes, shads, and barbels ; and in various parts excellent carp and tench. House rent is. very dear at Nice, particularly in the croix de Marbre. Apartments are commonly j'urnishecl and adorned after the fashion of the country, though they are far from being comfort- 44 MOUSE RENT* able to those who know the pleasures and conve- niences of a good house in England It would not be adviseable to furnish a house, unless you proposed passing several winters there ; in which case, I should not only please myself, but would make an additional expeoce in qualifying the house for a winter's campaign. A tolerable house in the suburbs, large enough for twelve or fifteen persons, could not be hired for five or six months for less than one hundred and thirty pounds sterling : some of the best might amount to something more. It is true, that to these are added dehghtful gardens, abound- ing in orange, lemon, almond, and peach trees; but the oranges never belong to the person who hires the house. In the vicinity of these gardens peasants are industriously employed in cultivating barley, hemp, oats, maize, vines, &c. and in the months of December and January you see men and women eagerly collecting the olive harvest. This fruit is allowed to remain on the trees un- til it becomes of a deep purple or black colour, when it is in a state to have the oil pressed, aar MONT-ALBA N, 45 well as for eating. The peasants consume a vast quantity of them, but they never eat them green, as we have them in England. SECTION IV. PESCRIPTIVE OBSERVATIONS ON MONT-ALBAN, AND ON THE NATURE OF THE TERRITORY OF NICE. Although the road from Nice to the summit of this mountain is very bad and fatiguing, the traveller cannot "regret having gone that way at least once. On the upper part of the mountain a fort of considerable importance is erected, and with a French garrison resisted all the hostile efr orts of the Austrian army during the last war. Its position is very commanding, and effectually de- fends the bridge over the Paglion, as well as the suburbs of the town. Advancing upon Mont- Alban, a vast extent of sea is seen on the right, and on the left a great part of the maritime alps, whose summits are covered with snow during ^eyen or eight months of the year. After travers- ing a barren soil for an hour and a half, the road j:6 TERRITORY OF KIC:^. is more agreeable, and you see a small village built on a rock, which is perpendicular to the sea. There was formerly a post at the foot of this rock, which is mentioned in the Maritime Itinerary of ^ntoninus, under the name of Avissa, JSTothing can be more beautifully picturesque than the position of Nice viewed from Mont-r Alban and all the adjacent bills. The traveller;' cannot withhold his admiration when the tout en^ semhle of the view unfolds itself to his eye. How delightful the port, the ramparts, the bridge, the Paglion, the sea, and the suburbs ! He observes from hence a country glowing with the richest cul* tivation^ the most fertile soil, and the choicest !|3eauties of nature. This scene, contrasted with the barrenness of some neighbouring hills, is be* held with greater ecstasy, and the difference is more strikingly perceptible. We must not, how- ever, comprehend in this description the other side of the mountains, as the beauties of the country are here indisputably concentrated. From hence I proceed to describe the country adjoining the suburbs, though I confess that mv TERRITORY OF NICE. 47 pen is inadequate to the tasV, so numerous are tb^ beauties that swell the difficulty of description. At the first view of the country on the other- side of the Var, no one can contain the expression^ of admiration which the richness of the landskip excites ; but this view, en passant^ is by no means sufficient to impress a proper idea of the real mag- jiificence of the. scenery ip all directions. The country is delightful on every side from Antibes to Nice, particularly near the Var, and from thence to the suburbs of the town, 1 could not help thinking I had taken my abode in Italy as soon as I crossed, the ancient boundary of that country, for, in spite of the bat- tlements which the French have erected on the banks of the river during the last war, and the new geographical division of this beautiful spot, I stil^. retained the memory of Lucao's Line, */ Finis et Hespcri^ proiuoto limite Varus.*' There are many agreeable coup d'^ails from the banks of this river, which are not a little heigh ten- ted by the murmuring noise of the waves so dis- 48 TERRITORY OF NICE. tinctly heard, owing to the silence of the vallies, through which several streams run to join their waters with those of the Var. In rainy weather, and during the melting of the snows, this river be* comes equally rapid and dangerous. ^^ La, parmi des rocs entassds Couverts de mousse verdatre S'elancent des flots courrouc^s D'une ecume blanche et bleuatre : La chute et le mugissement De ces ondes precipitees, Des mers par I'orage irritees Imitent le fremissement/' On every side valleys and hills alternately charm the eye with the endless variations of their height, figure, position, and cultivation. Not a moun- tain can be ascended without producing the agree- able contrast of hill and vale, enriched with a pro- fusion of sweet scented herbs, and diversified with flowers in all the various garbs and glowing hues of nature. In one part a sterile rock lifts its lofty head amidst luxuriant vegetation, and at- taches us yet more fondly to the surrounding gaiety. In another, the industrious spirit of maia TERRITORY OP NICE. 49 has covered the bas^ and summits of a lofty hill with the vine, the olive, or the fig tree. The val- leys are enchanting, and produce every where oranges, grapes, and almonds. How many situa- tions are there on hill and dale that the man on whom fortune frowns, or who loves to meditate in silence, might rejoice to find ! Here might the. statesman, the philosopher, and the student, in tranquil retirement from the tumultuous turmoil of civilized life, study nature's laws, whilst the inva- lid might hither bend his feeble step, and direct his anxious hope in pursuit of health and happiness. There are several pleasant villages in the plain of Nice, none of which however comprise more than a few houses; one, amid its rural beauties, contains an excellent house, which commands a view of the sea^ a good garden, reservoirs, and fountains. To this delightful residence a small chapel is annexed. It is situated in a valley, di- rectly under the abrupt division of one of the hills, surrounded by olives, almonds^, figs, and corn^ Not less eminent for its striking scenery is Cha- teau-neuf, the abode of the prefect of the Mari- 50 TERRITORY OF NICE. time Alps. What exquisite gardens, and how elegantly adorned with fountains, cypress trees, and all kinds of fruits and flowers 1 I do not in truth recollect a walk, whichever road you may choose, where there are not some interesting ob- jects, now meeting, now retiring from the view, something romantic and picturesque, ever varying the interest of the scene. An endless variety leaves no satiety on the mind. There may be some spots, particularly at the foot of mountains where the soil is not so productive; buti remem^ ber none where fruit trees, corn, and vines, do not flourish in perfection. The pasturage is plentiful, and kept in good or- der, though the roads are almost impassable in particular spots, which in some degree diminishes the pleasure that we might otherwise enjoy. One pathway leads to many others, and one fine scene discovers a thousand still more engaging. The freshness of an extended foliage on the summit of the hills tempers the burning rays of a meridian sun, and affords in the midst of ^summer a cool retreat. In winter a southern as- TERRITORY OF NICE. ^I p6ct receives those genial beams which are seldom felt in any other part of the world with equal de- light and satisfaction. The same mountains which protect you from the heat at one season, and save you from the unwholesome vapours of damp and cold at another, are covered with a copious growth of shrubs, fruit, and herbs^ which encourage exercise, and amuse the mind. The republican arms of France have depopula- ted this charming country, and either destroyed or ruined most of the families, country houses, and every work of art. The gardens, however, adorned with orange and fruit trees, formerly with every plant and flower, still invite the efforts of industry, and promise a plentiful harvest. Much I confess is wanted to repair those shattered villas, ivhere once lived a happy people ; and long 1 fear it will be before the new proprietors diffuse, like their ancient inhabitants, joy and gladness and plenty around them. The deficiency of money, the want of confidence, and the natural distrust a new government inspires, are obstacles not^asy to E 2 6^ TERRITORY OF NICE. be surmounted. Under the protection of the King of Sardinia, the public were happy, trade flourished, and the merchants were even favored by other nations. Nice, although adorned by all the beauties of na- ture, and situated on one of the most fertile plains, securefrom the piercing cold of winter, and refresh- ed by the coohng breezes of the sea in the summer months, wants the comforts of a select few to ren- der it a happy retreat. Not now, alas ! not now, as in the days which La Lande celebrates, when the assemblage of strangers from every part of Eu- rope rendered it a scene of hospitality and social joy. The ravages of war have spread their deso- lation around, and chased from their habitations the native and the foreign friend. May the period soon return, when the inhabitant and stranger shall again partake of ancient gratifications, endear- ed by the recollection of dangers past ! May every hillock boast a house of modern taste and comfort, and possess a cheerful and happy society. Niiie could formerly boast of every thing that renders a home delicious, admirably situated for 3 TERRITORY OF NICE, 65 the exportation and importation of colonial pro- duce ; no rival port to check its rising grandeur, an industrious and numerous population. No climate possesses a more genial atmosphere, no soil a more smiling vegetation. The blossoms of the orange, the vine, and the laurel rose, the infi- nite variety of flowers, plants, and shrubs, at all seasons of the year, excite us to repeat ^^ Vertumne, Pomone, et Zephyre Avec Flore y regnent toujours 5 C'est I'asyle de leurs amours, Et le trone de leut empire,'* O, Nissards,^ did you but appreciate the auspi- cious clime, which providence has given you, widi an enthusiasm equal to the stranger's, what display of taste w^ould embelhsh the beau- ties of your plain ! To the verdant and beautiful gifts of nature would be added the wonders of ait ; we should admire the rustic cascade, the lim- pid stream winding in an endless variety of forms, and the meadows enamelled with other fruits, and flowers not their own. * ''O Fortunatos nimium, sua si bona norint, Agricolas I" ^'^ TERRITORY OF NICE. The fragrant and brilliant offerings of Flora would not perish and fade unregarded, garlands of , lilies would adorn the meanest habitation,, and every spot bear the tokens of the highest cultiva- tion. But, in spite of your indifference, Nis- sards, this goddess reigns with beautiful variety on the summit of the Maritime Alps, and sports her gaudy blossoms for the industrious bee in a thou-» sand forms and shades, entwining many an odori- ferous offering, seldom enjoyed by mortal sense. The irregularity of seasons, so detrimental to vegetation in other parts of the world, is here ex-^ changed for a progress so uniform and impercep- tible, that the tenderest plant delights to feel the change, and acquires new vigour by it. Every day brings forth another flower, every month its fruits, and every year a copious harvest. The light tinges of the spring yield to the brighter hues of summer, and autumn boasts in darker state, of the deep crim- son and the orange. Unexposed to the bleak influ- ence of the north, the pendent grape soon comes to full maturity; the almond and the peach already tempt the taste ; the citron and the orange promise ^n arpple recompense for the husbandman's toil, XEERITORY OF NICE. 55 The luxuriance of the valleys must make that man's heart rejoice who regards and admires the rich pro- ductionsofthee^rth.The sterility of some mountains gives him an idea of the mourning of nature, which at the same time that it offers the most striking con- trast between rural magnificence and rural degrada- tion, impresses the mind with the strongest sense of the transient pleasures of the world, and of the in- sufficiency of present enjoyment. It equally awa- kens melancholy reflections on the future. Whose soulisnotstricken with solemn admiration at the ma- jestic mounds that encircle the spectator's eye, the barren wild of some of the contiguous mountains, the high cultivation he gazes on, the fertile valley, smiling plain, shady wood, and murmuring stream ? The mind of man recoils upon itself, and sinks into awful contemplation at the wise and wonder^ ful dispensations of providence.* A shapeless * Philosophe tranquille, ami de la Nature, J'y contemple avec soin sa superbe pamre. Un insecte, une fieur, un arbrUseau naissant, Me rappellent sans cesse un etre tout puissant, Dont la main lib§rale et prodigue en merveiHes J^Ierite nos transports, notre amour et nos veilles." ^ertrand, Mont Jura* 66 .> tERRlTORY OF NICE* chaos contains the most vahtable riches: on the de- clivity of a barren rock flourishes the luxuriant vine, on the summit of some tremendous hill the woodman fells the sturdy oak -and lofty pine. The valleys abound in delicious fruit, corn ripens on the plains, and an immense sea bounds the horizon, whose bosom, swelling and subsiding at the pro- pitious call of Auster, foams on the echoing shore, recedes, advances, and exhausts its force. The hollow murmur of the waves from rock to rock, their terrible "noise on being precipitated in mass on the confines of the coast, the distant foam, or a tranquil secession on a calm summer's day, and gentle reflux, equally enchant as they astonish our senses. A spectacle so grand is worthy of the poet and the painter. Nature also displays all her charms in the neigh- bourhood of Cimiez, although the scene is somewhat changed.Nearthetownisaspring,which the ancients called FonsTempli, and from the amenity of the situ- ation figuratively* the pleasant fountain of Tempe,* * Est nemtts Hemonise, praerupta quod undique claudit Sylva, vocant Tempe per quae Penaeus ab imo EfFusus Pindo spumosis volvitur uiidis." TERRITORY OF NICE. 57 The fields around are watered with a variety of streams, which are in general salubrious, intersecting a number of gardens, vineyards, and meadows, and by their numerous ramifications promoting a constant verdure. Some pass - through woods, others at the base of hills, but all contributing to preserve an ever living vegetation, and to truly constitute a perpetual spring. Fontibus omnia purls Hie sunt irrigua et rivi de rupe cadentes Prata per, et campos labuntur murmure dulci.^* A cavern of considerable depth, of capacious mouth, overhung with trees and shrubs^ is situated- near this spot. It receives the falls of wa- ter that in very dry weather constantly trickle down the adjacent mountains, and at times swells with its watery treasures. A solemn silence reigns in its environs, which is never interrupted, but by the big drops which agglomerate and fall in its center, or on its sides. A parching heat pre- vails above, but the sun-beams seldom penetrate it, so that in the scorching months of summer the traveller may there breath a refiesbing air. 58 TERRITORY OP NICE. Before I quit the topography of the country around Nice, my inchnation leads me to say a few words on the beauty of the plain of Fonchaud, and some contiguous spots. Nature here displays all her charms. The same kind of trees and shrubs are seen which cover the plains of the Paglion : the scene, however, is completely changed, but the air is equally mild, and the imagination never damped by the sight of sterile objects. Every thing the eye embraces is animated. Gardens, mea- dows, and fertile fields, overspread the plain, which is bounded by verdant hills that terminate the view in a manner equally agreeable and ro- mantic. Let us from nature proceed to art, and mark the inspiration which succeeds the survey of an- cient grandeur. Let the mind's eye extend itself to the antique walls of Cimiez, meditate on the ample edifices and superb temples that adorned that once famed city. Be the tombs which con- tain the ashes of heroic virtue, honored worth, and modest beauty, incentives to solemn admiia^ TERRITORY OF NICE. 59 tlon and exemplary patriotism ! Let the remains of those lofty structures, that once ravished the human eye, that inspired the citizen with love for his country, which the foe envied, and the savage ruined, receive at least the tribute of compassion for their honors lost. The massy pillar, bright mo- nument of victory, and the convents famed for penitential confession, all undistinguished lie. How the mind recedes within itself, and vainly pictures the magnificence of a former prospect I What lavish gaiety an ever smiling territory dis- played I What surprise and pleasure must a noble city, beautifully built on the declivity of a hill, have given to the imagination 1 Let the reader conceive the bold addition of splendid strength which a distant navy must add to a flourishing town, an extensive bay, and delicious gardens. Certain ijt is, that no spot on earth was ever better calculated for building a city, none where nature has more liberally supplied the wants of man : in the hour of peace a delicious asylum, in the mo- ment of danger presenting an impregnable front. The soil around scarcely waiting the husband- 1 60 TERRITORY OF NICE. man's toil, and producing almost spontaneously whatever he pleases to demand. ^^ Here summer reigns with one eternal smile; Succeeding harvests bless the happy soil. Fair fertile fields^ la whom indulgent heaven Has ev'ry charm of ev'ry season given. No killing cold deforms the beauteous year. The springing flow6rs no coming winter fear ; But as the parent Rose decays and dies. The infant buds with brighter colours rise, v And with fresh sweets the mother's scent supplies,-' Near them the violet grows, with odors blest. And blooms in more than Tyrian purple drest. The rich Jonquils their golden beams display. And shine in glory's emulating day : The peaceful groves their verdant leaves retain, -^ The streams still murmur, undefilM with rain, > f And tow'ring greens adorn the fruitful plain. The warbling kind uninterrupted sing, Warm'd witli enjoyments of perpetual spring." Ladi/ Mary Whortley Montagu. In this favoured clime every town, every terri* tory, becomes interesting as it affords subjects of melancholy and pleasing reflections. The ra- vages of time lead us to the contemplation of fu- turity, of the littleness of the works of the greatest men, of the folly of human grandeur. War strikes TERRITORY OF NICE. 61 US with horror, on witnessing the devastation it creates ; art claims all our affection, from the gra- tification it affords the mind, and from its incen- tives to honorable and independent industry. He who explores the inestimable chefs d'^ceuvres of Corinth, Athens,^ or Megara, must naturally trace with solicitude the history of these countries and their renowned inhabitants. Great in action, in- defatigable in science, celebrated for wisdom and valour, how worthy are they of the historian^s panegyric, aiid the admiration of posterity ! If the cottage of the peasant, or the chateau of the country gentleman, is neither adorned with gold or silver, nor decorated with massy columns of marble at their entrance, in their place the fig and the almond form an agreeable shade; the pli- ant branches of the vine entwine themselves around the door, and form also a rich casement to the windows. The plain of .Nice may with truth be compared to the habitation of Calypso, which Telemachus so beautifully describes.— ^* From the dechvity of a hill one beholds the *ea, sometimes idly irritated against the rocks on 6^2 TERRITORY OP KlC:E. which it breaks, bellowing atid swelling its waveSf like mountains, sometimes clear and smooth as glass. At a distance are seen hills and mountains, which lose themselves in the clouds, and form by their fastastic figures as delightful an horizon as the eye could wish to behold- The neighbouring mountains are covered with verdant vine branches, hanging in festoons; the grapes, brighter than purple, cannot conceal themselves under the leaves, and the vine is overloaded with its fruit/' The fig, the olive, the pomegranate, and all other trees, overspread the plain, and make it a large garden* O, Zimmerman, who was ever here, and felt the delight of a tranquil evening, without calling you to recollection ? The mind revolves, the imagina- tion warms at thy sublime cogitations ; yet flighty fancy subsides into a well-arranged collection of thoughts, and under thy fascinating precepts is never moved but in perfect harmony with the heart. On this desirable connection then, charm^ ing author, rests the basis of happiness, the off- spring of good which thy lessons on morality have TERRITORY OF NICE. 63 SO finely taught us to distinguish, and so invU tingly disposed us to pursue. Happy they whose felicity depends not on the caprice of fortune ; far happier still, who seek it by other paths than those of grandeur. Where virtue reigns, content is near, and let him who is in search of it follow thy instructions. How frequently, on this spot, have I seen, with secret pleasure and delight, the rural amuse- ments of the peasants, and how highly have I been captivated with the scenes of mirth and innocence. Each swain trips over the lawn with his chosen fair, listening with inward rapture to the echoing accents of the lyre, sweetly passing time in the bosom of happiness, and in the sim- plicity of a smiling country. Actuated by an honest passion, his heart opens to the artless con- versation of his modest partner; love occupies his bosom, and a pastoral song explains his amourous desires. What a lovely image of hap- piness, of social concord, and virtue, these con- tented swains afford us 1 We, poor, irresolute, and feeble imitators of the lesson given us by 64 PRODUCTIONS. untaught man, fancy their joys fleeting ? and, instead of having courage to be virtuous, indulge in vice, assume a face of serenity, and thus dis- guise the corroding pains of a wounded con- science. SECTION V. PRODUCTIONS. There is a great variety of fossils in this coun- try; the mineralogist has, therefore, ample room for his scientific search. The indifference of the Nissards with regard to the produce of their coun- try, and their neglect of the public roads, are noto- rious ; but why they should not work the mines ofmarl, argill, platre, vitriol, orpiment, alabas^ ter, porphyry, other fine marbles, lead, iron, and copper, lam really at a loss to discover. Every one of these is to be found in various parts of the provij:ice. Nothing is wanted but .the hand of industry to call forth the treasures of the soil. Surely these would become a great article of commerce, and the means of enriching the capital. JpRCiDUCTIONS. 65 The mineral waters of Rocabiliare have gained a merited reputationj both from their internal and external use. The analysis of these waters shews them to be of a sulphureous nature, but the springs do not emit them in the same state of heat ; one or two are moderately warm, but the other is cold; The village of Rocabiliare is difficult of access, th^ apartments shocking, and no other sort of accommodation, reasons sufficiently cogent for their being abandoned, since a mineral w ater not unfrequently works a surprising cure by the agreeable society that is formed^ by the delights of a pleasant journey, and fascinating abode. Still farther in the Maritime Alps are the cele- brated minerals of Vaudier and Vinai, which it is very probable are more commonly resorted to than those of Rocabiliare. This, one would sup- pose, is another produce of nature which might be converted to profit and pleasure, but this shares the fate of all the others w^hich surround it. The department of the Maritime Alps abounds rn various parts with excellent carp and tench ; a vast variety of birds, such as the red-legged par- 66 PRODUCTIONS. tridge, the moor- cock, the woodcock, and the pheasant, which four may be looked upon as the foremost. The first of these birds is supposed to have been brought from Sicily into Provence by Robert, Count of Provence. There are a great many birds of prey and singing birds. Among the latter are the hedge-sparrow, goldfinch, and a small bird called Tarm, &c. Amongst the • aquatic tribe are the water quail, the phaeni- copter (a bird whose tongues Roman luxury sought as a delicious dish) the cormorant, the plover, ducks. Sec, Travellers mention the passage of different kinds of birds into Africa, and of their return into Europe. There is a great number which resemble the blackbird, whose feathers are of a dark ash colour. Many of them, exhausted witlv, hunger and fatigue, fall into the sea. They are often washed ashore by the waves, and collected by the children, but being very lean afford but a meager repast. It is not known whether they stop at Sardinia or Corsica in their passage. PRODUCTIOl^S. 67 With respect to the insects distributed over the different plains and mountains of this country, there is a variety scarcely to be named. An able naturalist may give a tolerable description of them ; for me, I abandon the effort, after naming the most common, such^ for instance j as the grass- hopper, the bright- fly, and anotherj which destroys the olives, called la mouche-d-dards. An end- less tribe of butterflies, beetles, lizards, &c. In- numerable insects of curious diversity are to be met with in a walk on the mountains which sur- round Nice. The wild boar, bears, and other beasts of prey, are seldom seen at the present day in any parts of this department. The stag and roebuck are occasionally to be met with. Hares, foxes, and chamois, are abundant. There is a lead mine, containing a little silver^ near Tenda, and is almost constantly surrounded with snow. The Romans must have set a high value on that metal, to search for it in so wild a country; perhaps it might be on account of the silver, which was then found in greater quantities. ^2 68 PRODUCTIONS. The excavations they made in the rocK, which is very hard, are yet to be seen. The mine was again wrought about sixty years ago, by order of the King of Sardinia: a native of Piedmont has latterly had the privilege of working it on his own account. He employed upwards of a hundred people last year, but, if we may believe his re- port, the mine produces very little, OLIVE TREE. All the trees common to the climate are found in the vicinity of Nice, particularly the olive, *ivhich surpasses them all in beauty. There are many of them near the Var, whose trunk is six feet in circumference, and branches proportionally large. The leaves are about an inch long, and a quarter of an inch broad, their upper surface is of a greenish brown, and the under is white. From this circumstance, when the tree is agitated bv the wind, the leaves seem variegated. Its fruit ripens in autumn, and is gathered towards the end of November. The tree which resembles. PRODUCTIONS. 6d most the olive is the willow. Its growth is slow, and proportioned to its duration, which is frequently three hundred years ; but when the branches of an healthy trunk have been lopped off, in less than twenty years they recover their former size : there are many species of this tree. The Athenians had a kind of veneration for the olive ; they considered the person who had the audacity to injure it as laden with crimes, being persuaded that this tree was the off- spring of the olive tree in the citadel of Athens, which was esteemed a gift of Minerva. It was only employed by them to reward the conquer- ors at the Athenian games. The olive tree also flourishes in its greatest beauty at Menton. LEMON TREE. The lemon tree of this place is very cu- rious ; while some of its branches are in full blossom, the rest are covered with lemons of all sizes, from the moment of their formation to maturity. The description of the tree in the 70 PRODUCTIONS. second book of the Georgicks, is thus translated by the Abbe de Lille; ^^ Vois les arbres dii Mede, et son orange amere. Qui lorsque la maratre aiix fils d'une autre mere Verse le ncir poison d'un breuvage enchante Dans leur corps expirant^ rappelle la sante. L'arbre egale en beaute celui que Phoebus aime j S'il en avoit I'odeur, c'est le laurier lui-meme, Sa feuille^ sans tfiPort, ne se peut arracher Sa fleur resiste au doigt^ qui la veut detacher Et son sue du vieillard qui respire avec peine, Raffermit les poumons, et parfume I'haleine/'* This passage suggests two interesting remarks, the first that the ancients t considered the fruit * *' Media fert tristes succos tardumque saporem Feiicis mali : quo non proesentius ullum (Pocula siquando soevae infecere novercae, !jVIiscueruntque herbas, et non innoxia verba) Auxilium venit, ac membris agit atra venena. Ipsa ingens arbos, faciemque simillima lauro : Et, si non alium lat^ jactaret odorem, Laurus erat j Folia baud ullis labentia ventis ; Flos aprrima tenax. Animas et olentiaMedi Ora fovent illo^ et senibus medicantur anhelis." Virg. George, Lib, 11,/. 126, t Athenaeus tells a very foolish and improbable story of a malefactor condemned to die by the bite of serpents, saving himself by this kind of antidote. PRODUCTIONS. 71 endowed with the properties of a counter poison, the other that it has been Improved by culture, if it be true that it was better in the time of Virgil. This tree must have been very scarce during the reign of the first Roman emperors, as its fruit was not eaten in the time of Pliny. It was then used for perfuming and preserving clothes from moths : hence the vestis citrosa of some authors. Cicero had a table made of its wood which cost two thousand crowns, and Asinius PoUio one which cost ten thousand. This tree is divided into several species, the three principal of which are easily distinguished by their appearance and the taste of their fruit, viz. the citron, the lemon, and the cedrat. The fruit of the latter, whose odour is so exquisite and so highly valued, weighs from five to six pounds. It is to be lamented that the tree is subject to the disease called marfei. When it is attacked by it the peel of the fruit acquires a dark-brown colour, and is sometimes covered with a web resemblins: the spider's. The inhabitants have neglected no- thing to remedy this evil, but hitherto without 73 PRODUCTIONS. success. The fruit contaminated with this di^^ ease, sells for two-thirds less in price. ORANGi: TREE. There are sever^il species of the orange tree? Botanists reckon upwards of twenty, but many of them differ so little as scarcely to be distinguish- ed. Three of them, however, cannot be con- founded, the sweet, the bitter, and the herma- phrodite, so named from its partaking equally of the lemon and orange. This tree has been known in Greece apd Asia time immemorial, but, as well as the lemon, is believed to be a native of Africa, Fable seems to confirm this opinion. Hercules is said to have stolen the golden apples from the gardens of the Hesperides, after having killed the dragon that guarded them. The learned do not coincide in their opinjon concerning the situation of that celebrated garden. Some suppose it to have been in Lybia, others in Mauritania, and many imagine, from a passage in Hesiod, that it must have been in one of the Canary Isles, but they all agree that it was in some part of Africa. PRODUCTIONS. 73 The golden apples have been a perpetual theme for the poets. They ascribed to them won- derful virtues, While they delighted the eyes they influenced the heart so ipuch that it was impossible to resist them, When Juno espoused Jupiter, she presented him with some of these ap^ pies as her dowry. It was by throv/ing one of them on the table at the nuptials of Thetis and Peleus that discord produced the quarrel betwixt three of the goddesses, and troubled the peace of Olympus. It was by means of these apples that Hippomenes succeeded in softening the heart of the proud Atalanta. The " Hesperidum miratam mala puellam'' of Virgil is well known. Oa seeing them, Theocritus assures us, she was in- spired with the ardour of ungovernable passion. 3o much for Fable. But there must have been oranges in Phrygia before the Trojan war ; for Homer would never have put them in the hands of Paris had they not been known in the time of that prince. It is probable the Phoceans were the first who brought the orange and lemon tree into Provence, as they did the olive, the laurel, the fig, 74 PRODUCTIONS. and some other exotics. They must have been known in the territory of Nice before the founda- tion of the town, particularly the orange .tree, as that soil is well adapted to its culture. The soil of Menton is more favourable for the lemon tree, and on that account they have many more of them. They are more profitable than the orange trees» LAUREL ROSE. Next to the orange and lemon the laurel rose is> the tree the most agreeable to the sight. Some of them have red flowers, others white ; they are in blossom from May to September, and have always the same bloom and beauty. Some of tJaem are twenty-five feet high, and their branches are proportionally large. Nothing can be more curious than the banks of the Nervia, which empties itself into the sea be- tween Vintimiglia and Bordiguiere ; it is a great plain covered with laurel roses. Perhaps it has given name to the litde town Campo rosso, or red field, which is situated at one of its extremities. 2 PRODUCTIONS. 7S A number of small barks are annually loaded with these roses, and sent to Italy ; but this does not seem to diminish their number here, where theif growth is spontaneous. PALM TREE. Among the remarkable trees this deserves not to be forgotten. The poets have consecrated it to their heroes, and religion to her martyrs: hence it is become the emblem of victory. There is a great number of them at Bordiguiere, three leagues from Menton, where the soil is light, sandy, and nitrous. *' On my arrival there," says the author of a tour through the Maritime Alps, " I thought I was in the vicinity of Jericho. This tree requires no culture, and, having few roots, occupies but a small space. The branches are cut in Lent and sent to Rome, where a great quantity of them are sold on Palm Sunday and in the holy week. The great utility of this tree to the ancient hermits of ^Egypt is well known. Its leaves afforded them clothing, and its fruit was their principal food. They also made mats of the 76 PRODUCTIONS. leaver, the sale of which enabled them to procure a scanty &ubsistance. The fruit does not ripen oa this coast, probably from the climate not being warm enough. Another cause, however, is as- signed by botanists, who say it is in consequence of there being no male trees in the neighbour- hood. They assert, that a female palm tree, when there is no male palm tree in the vicinity, pro- ducer no fruit, or at all events that the fruit can- not arrive at maturity, as it is necessary that the pDwer of the stamen of the male flower be ap- plied to the female flower in order to produce fe* ctrndation. In the Lives of the Fathers of the Deserts it is observed, that good St. Anthony wore, on Easter and Whitsunday holidays, a garment of palm tree leaves, which he inherited from St. Paul, who was the first hermit/' Besides the fruit trees already mentioned, b-rought from Africa and the Levant, the Nissards have the pomegranate, the pistachio, and the jujube^ These are natives of the same countries, and thrive very well at Nice. They have also the c^per-shrub, which creeps along the walls. As PRODUCTIONS. 77 heat is congenial to this shrub, it is generally planted at the foot of a wall with a southern aspect. The fruit still retains the Greek name in the language of the country, viz. tapenos, which signifies creeping. What is most rejmarkable in this shrub, is the manner in which the fruit is formed. It is not preceded by the flower, as in other plants, but is formed from the bud itself, THE VINE. The vine has been known, time immemorialj, in Provence. Justin tells us that the Phoceans found vines there, and taught the inhabitants how to dress them. The wine of Monaco is of an indif- ferent quality, but the grapes are very large; some of the bunches weigh seven or eight pounds ; and I have been told that they sometimes weigh twelve. There are cantons of the department, which pro- duce very good wine, particularly ilfz^^c^/,- and some parts of the territory of Nice produce a red wine equal to that of Menton : as it becomes old it is difficult to distinguish it from foreign wine. 7B CLIMATE OF NICE, SECTION VI. ON THE CLIMATE OF NICE. ^ Every impartial observer acknowledges that the air of France is temperate, healthy, and agree- able. If the northern departments are cold, and little superior to the climate of England, the southern provinces are of a very benign and equal temperature: perhaps few are more so than Pro- vence. In that agreeable country, flowers of dif- ferent kinds appear in one part, and fruit in another, even in the severest months of winter. Mulberry and olive plantations, which never thrive but in a mild climate, adorn the upper part of it as far as the banks of the Yar, and the ferti- lity of the soil is well evidenced by the quantity and quality of the wine and corn. The upper part of Provence is the most luxuriant and rich ; the inferior being exposed to a burning sun, and uncultivated, forms a miserable contrast, and is as frightful to the eye as the other is agreeable. The parching heats of summer are, however, mo- derated even in this part of the department by the CLIMATE Gt NICE. 79 cooling breezes of the Mediterranean. Here, from the small quantity of wood and bar- renness of the rocks, the air is very dry and elastic, iitde favourable to the patient's recovery from many complaints. The properties of the air vary, notwithstanding this, in different spots of the same district. If it is piercing and dry from the action of the sun and influence of cold winds in one part, in another the highly culti- vated state of the soil, and excellency of posi- tion, give it a great pre-eminence over other departments. The temperature of Provence is attributable to the resistance made by the moun- tains to the passage of winds which come from that part of the horizon situated between the north and north east ; but, although such a de- fence is excellent against the winds and perpe- tual colds that reign upon the alps, the shelter thus formed is by no means so complete as one which similar mountains make around Nice. We must not, however, suppose that the plains of the latter town are not occasionally visited by the local winds of Provence. When the Mistral^ 80 dLlMAlE of NICE. which is a very piercing wind, prevails, it some- times passes over the mountains, and makes its effects sensibly felt in this country. The mountains of Provence being very high, the circumjacent plains preserve nearly the same degree of temperature as when the summits of those lofty barriers were covered with forests. It is said that the temperature has suffered little variation for the last century, and I am inclined to believe that assertion, as snow does not remain longer upon the ground, nor the thermometer often descend below the point of congelation, and still more seldom in those spots under cover of the mountains. The thermometer in 1791 was seven degrees below the freezing point ; but that was a very unusual circumstance, and proceeded from the winds blowing from the sea, and the side of the county most exposed. The remark I have made with regard to the temperature of Provence, being almost the same as at a remote period, is applicable to the district at large ; for it is clear that the temperature of certain plains, covered CLIMATE OF NICE. Si with extensive forests, was somewhat milder than at the present day, as there is now scarcely any wood to intercept currents of cold air. Besides, the well known fact that trees essentially resist the passage of winds, the constant evaporations from the earth beneath them render the air around so mild, that a cold atmosphere, brought by northerly winds, would be first impeded in its progress, and modified afterwards by its union with the air which is found in woods ; therefore the air would be less cold in winter, though the temperature would be lowered in summer, from the interruption of the solar rays to the surface of the earth. Trees being also great conductors of caloric, may subtract heat from the earth, and distribute it in the surrounding air; an exposed surface, on the contrary, retains, for a length of time, the heat w^hich the sun communicates to it. Since the demohtion of forests in various parts of the department of the Var, and particularly near the department of the Maritime G S2 CLIMATE OF NICE. Alps, springs of water are also less abundant than in former years. It -is obvious that trees retain water upon them a long time, and that their roots, ramifying in many directions, form small openings in the earth, through w^hich the rain is admitted, and then conducted from fibre to fibre, until jt is thoroughly imbibed. These apertures are reservoirs for the water, and, in realityv admit no inconsiderable quantity. If there were nothing to impede its progress on the declivities of hills, it would fall in torrents to the bottom, and there rush into the great streams. We judge of the salubrity of a country from the nature of the vapours and exhalations which form the bulk of the atmosphere designed for our constant respiration, and for the preservation and growth of every being of the animal and vegetable kingdoms. These particles, put into motion by some subtle agent, prove injurious or salutary to the constitution; as they happen to be more or less diffused and acted upon by the meteors. Nothing is perhaps so susceptible of modification as the air: at one time it is thick, and charged CLIMATE OF NICE. 83 With many exhalations, at another rarified, and containing very few; which properties, and many others, it acquires from the quahty of the situation, the action of subterraneous fires, the proximity and distance of the sun, &c. It is not difficult to conceive that a soil, containing particles of a sahne, or sulphureous nature, will, from th*e influence of various agents, promiscu- ously distribute^ in evaporation, each of these^ substances in the surrounding air. Thus then a situation near the banks of the sea will be impreg- nated with the saline matter which constantly, and. in great abundance, detaches itself from that immense body. Such is the case with the territory of Nice. A southerly wind directs the evapora- tions of the Mediterranean over the town and plain of Nice, which the circumjacent m.ountains, from their peculiar form^ keep within a certain space. In the summer months a cool breeze refreshes the air, and moderates the heat which alwavs prevails in the interstices of the mountains, owing to the reflection of the solar rays from the surfaces G 2 ^4 CLIMATE OF NICE. of uncultivated portions of rock. But the greater part of the plain of Nice, and the southern side of the surrounding nnountains, being highly cul- tivated, and having a soft soil, the sun-beams penetrate into the earth with little or no difficulty, so that heat accumulates in it, in the summer, to that degree, that the subsequent evaporations, even for many months, partake sufficiently of caloric to moderate a cold air brought from the summits of the alps : the frost from that cir- cumstance seldom becoming permanent in the country. Evaporation undoubtedly refrigerates the earth to a considerable degree, but the pro- portion between evaporation and the ab- sorption of solar rays, decreasing as the sum- mer solstice approaches, heat accumulates upon heat, until a great quantity is collected, sufficient in this part of the globe to render the evaporations of the earth very mild the ensuing winter. The air of Nice, in some places, abounds in aqueous exhalations, of which there needs no CLIMATE OF NICE. 8J Other proof than the quantity of insects engen- dered there. Without water they could not exist, but the soil, excepting near the banks of the Yar, is not moist enough to furnish a large supply of those vapours, consequently there are not so many of them in other parts of the depart- ment. If you quit the territory of Nice, and travel westward in Provence, the air is charged with insects to a surprising degree, as on the plains of Frej us, Hyeres, La Napoule, &c. The miasmata arising from the marshes in the summer and autumnal months, must render an abode in those places very prejudicial, particularly to strangers, who. unaccustomed to the climate, are more susceptible of the influence of such eva- porations, Nice has always a smiling aspect, notwith- standing the cold which ever reigns upon the Alps : the human frame, and the produc- tions of the earth, equally feel and evince it. The fibre, neither in a state of too great relax- ation nor rigidity, admits of a healthy perspiration* and the constitution but seldom falls into extreme 86 CLIMATE OF NICE. i extenuation, or attains extreme plethora. The animal economy, hke the vegetable, flourishes, and feels a joyous existence, when winter jocks up the treasures of the earth, and spreads its gloomy mantle over other parts of the globe. Soft, however, as the temperature of the air around Nice is, the northern part of the depart- ment is very cold. At only a few miles distance from this agreeable plain we witness a different scene ; we feel and respu'e another atmosphere ; we leave, in short, a perpetual spring to visit a wintry region. The second and third rows of mountains that surround the plain are equally uncultivated and barren on one side as the other, and constantly chilled with currents of air from the Alps or the northern hemisphere. They are never tempered by the solar rays, nor the benign exhalations of high cultivation. The farther you proceed in making the circuit of these mountains the climate is less propitious to vegetation; nature is more rude in all her appearances, and fewer are the marks of human industry. It is from the com- bined advantages of cultivation, position, antt CLIMATE OF NICE. 87 climate, that we see vegetation ever flourish in the country about Nice, that the vegetable kingdom makes such rapid strides to maturity, that one crop succeeds quickly to another, and that fruit comes to perfection at an early season. " Est enim Nicaeensis ager, lic^t eXiguus, fer- tilitate omnium fertilissimus, aquarum inundantia irriguus, ac omnium arborum genere consitus, soli fertihtate, pabuli ubertate, situ salubritate ac temperie, benignoque ventorum afflatu, undique per pollens." — Revell : '^ dementia Cceli Mitis ubij et riguae larga indulgentia terras : Ver longum^ brumseque breves_, juga frondea subsunt.'* In the coldest days of the vs^inter of 1802 I have oftener than once observed that even the oblique action of the solar rays, with the heat extricated from the earth, were sufficient to maintain a temperature some degrees above the freezing point, when the thermometer was below Zero in other parts of the department. It is true that the heat was not always sufficient to disperse the vapours which hovered about the atmosphere, S8 CLIMATE OF NICE. and made it thick and hazy, although the contest was frequently so great between them, that' the same day was at one moment clear, and at another hazy, as maybe seen in my meteorological tables. Whenever a gentle wind arose the vapours dis- appeared, the Sim was brillic^nt, and the day de- lightful. If, however, the wind blew from the Mediterranean, and was not very impetuous, the vapours collected into clouds, and hovered about the summits of the mountains, where, meeting a local wind, they recoiled, seldom or never completing a passage over them : if they became large and heavy, they dispersed in rain. With regard to the snow which falls at Nice, it is always small in quantity, and seldom or never remains more than twelve or twenty -four hours upon the earth, melting in part in its approach to our globe, and soon disappearing altogether when once in contact with its surface. It is jdot here, as in other parts of the world, renowned for temperature, for the latter snows remain no longer upon the ground than those that fall at the beginning of winter, a very unusual circun^- CLIMATE OF NICE. S9 stance elsewhere, and a certain proof of the quantity of caloric existing in the earth. In some parts of Provence, where the air, from the expo- sure of the country, is cold, the snow remains upon the ground several days ; but in other places it melts almost as soon as in the plain of Nice. The only circumstance that could make snow remain longer than usual on the plain of Nice, w^ould be a visit from the Mistral : * this, passing the mountains to the north-west of the town, freezes rain in a state of vapour, and so much chills the regions of the air, that hail falls in a considerable quantity. In that case, of course, the snow would not melt so soon. The department of the Maritime Alps is subject to currents of air, the influence of which is felt to a great extent. The winds that blow from the northern part of the horizon over Pro- vence and this department, reaching the curtain of the Alps, meet with so considerable an obstacle to. their passage, that they recoil and become * A cold wind, of which I shall speak presently. 90 CLIMATE OF NICE. reflected on themselves, whence arise various winds which have obtained the name of locaL Similar mterruptions occurring to winds on the mountains adjoining the sea, local winds are generated also there, and sometimes prove very dangerous to navigation. When the Mistral passes over the curtain I have already mentioned, it insinuates itself into different canals between one Maritime Alp and another, and collecting new force in those places, rushes out at their extremities with such violence as to precipitate men and cattle into chasms on the side of the road: this calamitous circumstance occurs at least once a year to the unfortunate travellers who are exposed to its influence. Ac- cidents are continually happening in the vicinrty of Sospello, and the Col ^i Tenda, where there is real danger, owing to the precipices which adjoin the road. Westerly winds are also dan- gerous, and not unfrequently produce conse- quences of an equally serious nature. Vapours collecting together as soon as they are formed between the mountains, generate very CLIMATE OF NICE. 91 violent winds, which are more properly local than those I have just described. If the concen- tration of the particles of vapour be quick, the wind, I apprehend, will be impetuous ; if, on the contrary, it be slow, the wind thereby produced will be moderate. The topical winds of the alps, the mountains of Hungary, and Dauphiny, pro- bably have their origin from the immediate con- centration of the immense evaporations which abound in those places. Snow gives rise to that profusion of vapour, the particles of which uniting near the spot of their formation, become on a sudden agitated, and thus occasion a wind more or less impetuous. The most remarkable w^inds of Dauphiny are the PonUas, the Vezine, and the Solere, The lat- ter is peculiar to the river Drome, and almost always reigns there. The Mistral is the wind that generally pre- dominates in Provence, and also blows in a de- termined space. It is severely felt in the western part of the Maritime Alps, the passage of which being lojig and narroWj conducts it, as through a 92 . CLIMATE OF NICE. caftalj to the circumjacent countries. The au-^ cients knew that this wind prevailed in Provence, were perfectly well acquainted with it, and gave it the name of Circius. Lucan, in his Pharsaha, alluding to the old port of Hercules^ says, "'Quaque sub Herculeo, sacratus Niimine Portus Urget rupe cava pelagus : non Corus in ilium Ju& habet, aut Zephyrus : solus sua littora turbat Circius^ et tuta prohibet statione Monseci.'* The Circius is v/hat is now called the Maestro of the Mediterranean. It reigns, says Seneca, in Narbonnoise Gaul, and produces consider- able mischief, though the inhabitants of Pro- vence attribute the salubrity of the air to its dominion. When Augustus came into Gaul he caused a monument to be erected in commemo- ration of it, as if it were the preserver of the hu- man species, and the promoter of vegetation. The Provencaux, however, of the present age differ in opinion with the ancients as to its bene- ficial effects. They look upon it rather as one CLIMATE OF NICE. 93 of the greatest evils of the country. Hence the vulgar saying, ^^ La Cour de Parlement, le Mistral^ et la Durance sont les trois fleaux de la Provence." Another wind, known also by the name of Maestro, reigns in the kingdom of Naples, but blows from a different point of the horizon. It is termed Yapix, or the Maestro ponente^ or levante Sirocco^ We may form an idea of the chilly nature of the Mistral of Provence, by its effects upon va- pour. When the exhalations from the earth are abundant, and concentrate into dew or clouds^ the influence of the MistraL even for a few hours only, is sufficient to convert them into clouds of hail, the grains of which are so enormous, as to desolate the country, and totally destroy vegeta- tion. If the upper regions of the air are less refrigerated than usual, these clouds disperse In rain, and torrents of water fall, mixed with hail- stones. The whole atmosphere is then in a state of the greatest commotion, and you think you see a cloud of dust, intermixed with small stones. 9f CLIMATE OF NICE. and a kind of foam, such as is perceptible on the se^* The mischief these storms commit is so much the greater, as they fall upon the base of moun* tains, and those parts of the earth which are most cultivated, and \yhere vegetation is the most lux- uriant. The ravages made by them, the Var, and the Paglion, are incalculable : trees are torn up by the roots, houses washed away, and the whole face of the country desolated. Besides producing storms and freezing vapours, when the Mistral \s very impetuous, it destroys the fruit, which, if not already of considerable magnitude, perishes, and falls off the trees. The Mistral is a north-easterly wind, and the ill effects of wind from that point of the horizon are felt in many other countries as well as in Provence. To the mischief it produces to vege- tation we may add a number of diseases very de^ structive to the human economy. When the Mis- tral blows, you undergo all the sensations and changes which supervene on passing suddenly from a mild to a cold temperature. It is difficult to ascertain the cause of the dominion of this CLIMATE OF NICE. 93 wind, though it is remarked that its violence is in proportion to the quantity of rain that falls in the Cevennes and the Vivarais. During my residence at Nice I recollect to have felt, oftener than once, the influence of the Mistical ; and, in the tables which I have sub- mitted to the public, it appears that this wind oc- casionally blew for several hours with great impe- tuosity; though, generally speaking, its effects are but slightly felt in this spot. The Sirocco^ a predominant wind in Sicily and Italy, sometimes extends its influence to the Ma- ritime Alps and the coast of Provence. It relaxes the fibre in an astonishing manner — depresses the spirits, excites ill-humour, and induces such a torpor over the mind and body, as to unqualify for work or study. I am by no means sure of the following circumstance. . It is said that even birds feel so forcibly the impression of it, that they cease to warble. At the same time a gloomy silence prevails throughout the country, animals become torpid, and rheumatic people, or such as have been wounded; experience a renewal of their 96 CLIMATE OF NiCiE. pains. This latter circumstance is common iri a change of weather in other parts of Europe. As Nice is open to the south, winds that come from that quarter are sensibly felt there* Its vici^ nity to the sea, and exposure to southerly winds, are the reasons that in the summer inonths the air which surrounds it is fresh and moist ; for, as evaporation from the sea is constantly going on, the air which passes over an immense tract of water, like the Mediterranean, must be necessarily \ loaded to such a degree with aqueous particles, that the atmosphere, even for some extent from the coast will be impregnated with them. The con- stant movement of the sea, and the irregularity of its surface, are also obstacles to the entrance of the sun-beams into it, from which circumstance the sea is not heated in summer in proportion to the earth, another reason why climate is milder near the sea than elsewhere. Besides, the sea always remaining fluid, and never resisting the extrication of heat contained within it, will, by the same rule, render the atmosphere in winter mild in compari- son with that which passes over a surface covered CLlMAtE OF NICE* 97^ with ice and snow. Every one, likewise, knows that the air^ contiguous to bodies, partakes of their heat or cold. Winds from the sea, therefore, will always be warmer in winter than those from the land, though more or less moist in proportion to the quantity of vapour. Southerly winds, being likewise heated by a vertical sun in Africa, are generally mild, and often productive of rain, owing to the immense evaporations with which the Mediterranean charges them before their arrival upon the coasts of Europe. Besides the rain which they bring and distribute in abundance upon the coasts, they produce those refreshing dews that invigorate plants, and occasion a smiling vegetation. The particles of rarified vapour, of which these winds are composed, remain suspend- ed in the air until they reach the shores and terri- tory of Europe, where, coming in contact with a cold atmosphere, they become condensed, hover about adjoining mountains, and disperse in rain ia the direction of the wind. Persons who have never travelled in Italy, or the sosjthern provinces of France, can scarcely H 9B CLIMATE OF NICE. have an idea of the mildnes of the air of Nice after a gentle fall of rain. The sulphureous and other terrestrial exhalations that are occasionally suspended in it being precipitated to the earth by a few showers, the atmosphere is left in a very pure and genial state. At these moments, the softness of the chmate, the serenity of the sky, thebriUiaii- cy of the sun, and the numerous beauti^es of na- ture that on every side surround you, may be bet- ter conceived than described. The breathing is free, the body light, and the same harmony seems equally to prevail in the human frame as in the circumjacent scenery. The valetudinarian has a respite from his sufferings, and the voluptuous man finds new pleasures occupy his mind. ^^ Parturit almus ager, Zephyrique tepentibus auris Laxant arva sinus ; superat tener omnibus humor : Inque novos soles audent se gramina tuto Credere; nee roetuit surgentes pampinus Austros, ' Aut actum Cielo magnis Aquilonibus imbrem : Sed trudit gemmas^et frondes explicat omiies." Firg. Georg. lib. 1 1. It is no unusual oiYcumstance in this part of the world to have a clear sky for five or six months after March or April. The same fine season how- 1 CLIMATE OF NteEi 99 ever does not reign in every part of the department at the same time. The environs of Nice and Men- ton are more especially blessed with this mark of divine favour. No rain fell at Nice ill the year 1 805 from March to July* To compensate for the dearth of water, gentle dews covered the earth, and vapours arose from the sea, which refreshed nature with their " genial stores," until Phoebus, peeping through the loaded horizon, illumined the portal of the east, and hailed the approaching morn. The author of a tour through the Mari- time Alps observes that the sun was so hot at Christmas in the year 1S03, that he was frequent- ly obliged to repose under the shade of the lemon trees, where the verdant turf, enamelled with a vast number of small flo^vers, resembhng the violet, flourished in all itsbeautv. Chapelle and Bachaumont speak of Hyeres in the following manner, but the author of a tour through the^ Maritime Alps thought the lines so applicable to the climate of Nice, that he has given them a place in his work., and I have transcribed them; H )Z 100 CLIMATE OF NI€E. ^^ Que c*est avec plaisir qu*aux irrois Si facheux, en France, et si froids. On est contraint de chercher Tombre Des Grangers qu'en mille endroits On y voit sans rang et sans nombre. Former des Forets, et des bois ! La, jamais les plus grands hivers N'ont pu leur declarer la guerre : Get heureux coin de Funivers Les a toujours beaux, toujours verds, Toujours fleuris en pleine terre.'* Walk or ride in whatever direction your cu- riosity may incline you, and even in the months of November and December, your senses will be gratified with the wild and beautiful display of flowers on each side of the road. The gaudy butterfly, in the depth of winter, is seen to flut- ter and repose on the delightful beds which Flora deigns to offer him. Other insects sport in the airy element, and announce the mildness of a spring or summer season. Such agreeable objects, the temperature of the climate,- and the luxuriance of the orange and the olive tree, produce those sensa- tions which we are unaccustomed to experience elsewhere, but at the meridian of the loveliest summer. CLIMATE CF NICE. * JOl It is natural to suppose that the heat at Kice tind other towns of the department of the Mari- time Alps is very great in summer, but I doubt whether it be so excessively hot there as strangers at the first point of view would be induced to ima- gine. The reflection of the sun-beams is very powerful between the mountains, and occasions a great degree of heat to reign around, which, however, soon disperses in thunder, if the evapora- tion of sulphureous and nitrous particles be con- siderable from the earth. The explosion very much resembles the report of artillery placed in the interstices of the mountains, or sometimes a rolling fird of small arms. But what most corrects the heat is a gentle breeze that blows from the west and south west, and which reigns from eight or nine o'clock in the morning until six in the evening. It refreshes the air, and revives the in- habitants, who might otherwise find the heat op- pressive. So very true is this remark, that stran- gers, intending to pass the summer at Nice, seek apartments of a south-westerly exposure, in order to respire this welcome breeze. The windows aix) 10:3 CLIMATE OF NICE. commonly left open, and the virandas closed, so that it may find a passage into the chambers. It is just strong enough to give a gentle motion to a curtain ,^ produce a regular succession of fresh air, and invigorate the body. It was known to the Romans, who gave it the name of Favonius, The Greeks termed it Zephyr, It blows, as fable says, with such mildness, yet with that degree of force, that it gives life to men, animals, and vege- tables ; and also is the defender of the empire of Flora. Indeed, it has a right to be the champion of this beautiful goddess, since tradition says the nuptials of the two have long been celebrated. The reader may treat the latter observation with the degree of credit it seems to merit, though I beg the favor of him to believe that the properties of this breeze are such as I have described. Those persons who travel in this part of the continent, and who have a desire to convince themselves of the fact, need only ascend an eminence, and they will soon be persuaded of its beneficial effects. Besides the services of this friendly guest, thans ce si^cle, a ete assiege trois fois par nos armies, et nous a coute en 1744, la perte de quatre mille hommes dont un grand nombre perit dans le, torrent que j'avois sous les yeux. CLIMATE OF KICE. 117 Je deploiois les crimes et les malheurs de 1^ guerre dans un pays si beau, et ou la nature a tant fait pour le bonheur des habitans.'^ The same author writes to another friend itii these terms, dated, Nice, December 28, 1802. " Vous m'absoudrez, men cher ami, et puisje vous dirai que je suis a Nice, que je suis loge dans une charmante maison, situee a la campagne ct sur les bords de la mer, mais a mi-c6te et a distance raisonnable. J'ai sous ma fen^tre ce beau et immense basin que je decouvre de tous cotes, jusqu'aux bornes de Thorizon, " J'en tends la nuit, et de mon Ht, le bruit des vagues ; et ce son monotone et sourd m'invite doucement au sommeil. Je n^ai jamais vu de plus beaux jours que ceux dont nous jouissons ici : le soleil y est dans son plus grand eclat ; la chaleur, a midi, est comme celle du mois de mai a Paris, lersqu'il est beau. La campagne est encore riante et couverte de gazons. Les petits pois sont en fleurs. On trouve dans les jardins la rose, Pceillet, Fanemone, le jasmin, comme en ete, L'orange et le citron sont sus- 2 118 CLIMATE OF NICE. pendiis a des milliers d^arbres epars dans les cam- pannes et dans les enclos. Tout ofFre I'image de la fertilite et du pring terns. Joignez a cela des promenades tres agreables dans les montagnes, et ou I'on decouvre a chaque pas les points de vue les plus pittoresques; partout le melange de la nature sauvage et de la nature cultivee, des montagnes, qui sont des jardins, et d'autres herissees de roches, entre-coupees de pins et de cypres: et dans Teloignement, la cime des Alpes couverte des nieges. Voila, mon cher ami, le sejour que j'habite; il est infiniment preferable li celui d^Hyeres : la temperature, jusqu' a present du moins, y est plus douce et plus egale.'^ In another place alluding to the symptoms of his complaint, he sa} s : " lis ne m'empechent pas pourtant de jouir de ce delicieux climat, de faire des promenades charmantes, oa la seule incom- modite, a la veille de Noel, est la chaleur. Que n'etes vous avec moi, mon cher Ami, vous qui avez Fame si douce et Pimagination si forte ! vous qui savez converser avec la nature ou belle ou terrible, et savez egalement i^entendre ou lui re- CLIMATE OF NICE, llf pondre ! Je siiis sur que vous seriez heureux et que vous ajouteriez a mon bonheur. J^ai vu dernierement un des lieux les plus sauvages qui existent dans la nature : c'est un amas de rochers, et de montagnes couverts d^arbres toujours verts, et jetes ca et la par toufFes irr6gulieres : des pre- cipices de soixante pieds, creuses par des torrents ; Feau qu^on entend a cetteprofondeur est du soni- met des rochers, sans cependant la voir, parce- qu'elle roule sous des rochers et sous des arbres ; enfin a travers un ehemin etroit, suspendu sur le bord d'un abyme,on parvient jusqu'a Fen tree d*une cavernetres vastejforoiee par les eaux,tapisseed<^ plantes, et dont la voute est en roches aigues qui pendent sur la tete, et semblent pretes a cbaque instant a se detacher. Dans Tenfoncement de la grotte, et tout-a-fait dans Tombre, est un source ou une fontaine tres considerable, et qu'on en- tend bouilloner en se brisant a travers les rochers, &c. &c/* I insert also in this place, part of a letter writ- ten on the 20th November, 1784, to a friend at Nice. " Je suis a Nice, mon cher ami, et apres 120 CLIMATE OF NICE. avoir balance longtemps sur le climat que je pre- fererois pour mon hiver, j'ai choisi le plus agre- able et le plus doux, quoique le plus eloigne. Je n'ai pu rester que ving-quatre heures a Avig- non, car il y regnoit une hm violente et froide sous le plus beau ciel. On y voyoit Tete, mais on y sentoit I'hyver ; c'est a peu-pres la meme temperature dans tout le Comtat. A I'egard du Languedoc, il y regne aussi de tres grands vents ; on y eprouve pendant deux mois des gelees assez fortes; en consequence, je suis revenu me mettre au soleil, comme un espalier entre la mer et les Jnontagnes de Nice, &c. &c.^^ I here present the reader with tables of the weather. ^onth of Germinal, An. A. of the Fr Rep. Mar. Apr. 1809. CCC^O^iOi^^WtOf-O^OOV^OitnXo^toI^ OO ao'vto^c«4)i.c«to»- Day of the Month. Day of Ihe ooocGcooQcco^aao (O U) to iv iw lO bc n; ic to to to to to to to to to to to lo to to ccocaoao(xcDQCGcooacGDGc^.rcoQO(XiGoccaoc»cc ^ W ^ ^ H- tg to to to to to >- O O 10 W ^- CC t>> 4^ ♦?:«• 4^ »i O ts3 to fcolsJlo^to to to to to \r QD OO tX C» CC ^J ^ to to to to to to to to to lo to to to to to ts to bO lo to to OOCDOOOD'OOCXQOODaOOOQOQO^aCDQOaDGCOOGO'VCD tocu>-'^co>->-'»-'to lO to to to to to to to' XODQCCKOOOSOC-^ to w to to ^- O O tC to >- f- rfi. Oi >^ ii- 02 H- to O f !OCO> OiO QCnOrO^feriC O , tO 0,0^0 0^_ Q Q^^Q O ^JO to to to JO to to to to lo to to to to to to^'io'to to to' to "to to •vrcCCCOOOOQOGOQOCCCXi(3DODCDGC*vr(X)CDOOC30C»aJCC WtOW»-tOW "-tOtOtOCOtOtOtOi— O'-WtOO^W«flrf^*:^C5t0•- C O ^ 0>ji..OCntOOOOOOOOmo>CC>ocn>-^OCOOOCoociOCCr,0, C^yD^^Oi^) O'© OO'O^'O QOCD O— OiCDCKCO'O ODCO-vrOB-MCB c DOOO^^vJCCO>^OOCtOO^C t>-'Q 3COCOv:tO^^^C<0 coo OO 0<© O O ' -'tOto^OOfe7»-^OD ^ O tO O ♦- >3CUC>3W»{^ts3>f:>>MUt»t^>^-CnCnfeJOO»O>OK^0DH^OOtO^OiOC;»0DCO0J^OC;tC0O o Z' gQ5 C! C p o » O aj o 5' a — -• w "^ tT "^ cr ^ - i-j -n- M ^' -1 "^ "^ "-• ±^ !r- >ri' w 'r.- g^ cu^ cr j^: < o ^ ■ ■ o "< 3 -:. a- 3 ^ 5 ° D« CI- ii < o <-•• rr -^ 000 sao ?i ;=^ ^ 3 5* O 3 I 'T^ *^ ii at Month of Floreial, An. X. of the Fr. Repub. April & May, ISO^. O^QC-vlCiO. ►^-WlC^C^CC^Citoirf^WlO^-O'^QO'^^OiOl^^CCtO^- Day of the Monih. CC^CjCT4^Wt,O--O*^00VJO)Oi*f:^WlO^O5i.OH-tob:)OOOOCO--^00»--*-totokO GCOOO-rOiOi>— OiCOOCC-— WtOCji^OlOOiOiCOCCCj.tO'VrOOiODCOO a PC > p; lo lo to lo to to lo to to to to to to to to to to to to to lo to to to to to to to to to CDCC(XC£"M^v4(xeja2O:O3(XQDQOeDO0CCGDCCO:(XC0QCC»O0a;00GDODQ0 toto^-caDOJO^lowtoiOfcoto^-OOOO'-^OCt-^i-vjioUi^- eCGDOJOOO©COCX)00<^''0'OitWCCCr.to:000;Cr)OOCC^COOCjiOD z fco to to to to to u to fcO to to to to to to to to to to to to to fc^ to to to to to feO to 6DQ&CCCO*vJ>MV|,XOD(XvXOO(»QDGOCCGO(»OOQOOD(XC»QD(»QDCOODODOO koto-oo"-loofco^>)H-^o^otOl-booo-^-'-oo-^^c^-^oto QDC0a3OCCt0O0DOtC^tn0:aiC.0 0:cot0C^OW0iCO. OOOQOCnO 1=:: ftCCO00^t0t0t0h-i-r-W0iC^4-lOt-C0t0l0t0 0ifc0 0Jt0t0»-OOCO if. § ?: i ^H-i-iOCt3wtotOb3i^4i->l-W4^WW^Wfc04i-OTWC)^t3^.-^OD CO®CCCCkOC-»CC. OCOOiOk0"bO00OOO.OOOOO-O 4^ H- *. W C *- CX^ vt Oj-vI ^ CO -vi e. Ci Oi 05 O^ Ci^ Oi O) Oj^ 0\ ^ Oi ^ ^ CDC;iOCfc'»OOOOOCoOOOO^OiO^OCO>-OOiOW:C)COtnO 'MCTOJOiCO;C;^'OO^O^^GD«)atOC»Co6*'^0'-»^Vl-cecB5 OOOOWOOiOCGDOiCaOOOOOOCnOO^O OiOO»OCnOO OOJOQDOOCOOOv^^COO'-O^OOO^-OWOOOCOOOOOi 4^H.COO^lOlO>«OJCOOOtOtOhI OOOCCC'OOOOC)OOQO'-Cj»coOtnOOOCOOOOO>Oo.OO 5 33;?3^QffiJiQo;^QOc;;3?oo[35oQooDo;33oocooQ|Ti ^' zj 3 5' o i?. 5' o' ^* 5' o ^' ^' 5" o pi-* 5* ^' o ^" ^' ii" 5' i^ o' o' si: o' f^' e3 o ? ? ? ^ i 9 ^S 9 ^p p 9 g^S ? S ^S o S o ? ^g^- c^S ^ 2 o 3 5' 8 3 < 5' > c PI pr a: o S S 9 ^ Z ? '5 3 S o S o B S^ % § S S o o o Q o o '^ 9 g^^ 9 . u, ^ n- a. D^ g: jT^ B. • 5' bcca'^ocacGoc:30:r?abnDDOocoa:^QQQas ;:v PI' Pi' p;" 5 c P''' ^' Pi' Pi' Pi' Pi" pi' 3 ■ Pi' p;' 5" Pi' Pi" Pi" Pi' ^' Pi' Pi" - c o o pp" a * ' ' ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ • ith of Prairial, An. X. of the Fr. Repub. May & June, t>3 bo bO tc to to to to tv to bo LO to ic js: lo lo iv ic lo to to IP bo bi t>o t>:i lo CrCX5CX)C»QOODCEOC(»a)CXOO-l-OLO XQQOQOCCOC.CCnO-iCCCOQDCOOGCOJCCCiOOOOCjtO-itOOTCJi to to to N3 to to to to to to to to to to to to to Lo (V to to to fco to to lo to l-O a;X(/3CX)G0C»O000Q0CDCDGOC»tOOeO0XC.CfcaOO0C»C»GOO0 ODOCOC H-tototototo^to*-0'-'-0'-tototot-o»-^Ct-00*-totc 0;~CX)Oo;0(X)OQCQCOOCOC;OOOOO^CODOt>fc>-C-iOCX)CrttOO:?Cn tobototototototototototofeototctototototoiototototoiot^to ODCDKacrCCOOOOQCOOODQDQDGDCCGDCCOOOOQOCJDQOQOCDCOQOQOOO Ototo^fcoto^-to^— O'-O^^bOto^O — ^i-'O^O*- — to OiQ DOODOCOODCOCCOOiaCCOOOO:ccOC7tOrjrOO-tOOOO» ^C^OCCOCOO^OODCG^CSOC^OOOOOiOOCoccCOCi O to CO OC C» ^C C CD ^4 ^t "^ 'O QC 'vO ^vT Oj Oi CT. Cn Ci ^ Ci Oi lO Ci '^ ^ Oi OOOOOtOOQDOOOOOCcOOOOiOOOQOtOOOOoo tOt~h- t- — — — — — — — w^)-. — — — — — — — — — ^ — _^ 0<0 ODCOCOCO QC^J^a 00 00 ODCO CD^4 OCM CiO)'*^ 0^jO*vj Oi^^'^'vj Ci OiOOOCnOCOOJOt^C n QCCCOiOOOCnODCnOOTGDOOOOOg ) tOOOOOCOOOOCO'-'sCcS^OCOcSocS'^ClO'^CiSo.aiSoS OOOCCaOCOOOOCCOCT'OC, OOCCOOOiCCO OOOodOOQdqdCCj»oo>ccocqdcpOOO'OOC'*-0-CoOO'o^ OOOCOOOCDOOOCOOODOOOOOCCnOOiOOOiQO ^" !=^' 3 o ^' ^' ^' 3 ^' !=^' ^* ;;■ — ■ ^' '^' o ^' - 3 ^' s ?;' o -• t^' t^' t^' 5' ^* ^ I f p p q- 005:?. 050500=^000000000:^000000;^ ~' ^' ^* 3 ^* ^' ^' ^' ^' ^' S. ^* ^' ^' — * ^" ^' ^' o" ^' ^ I-^" o" '-<-' ^' ^" —' 5 oooPpS'oooopoppoooogo?'. og__p"ooor^ . • ^- ' .^ ' ' ' ' 1805 of tne Mi)iUii. _D3y ot ihe opoo oopop^ o 00000^^0^0^001:^6 H- Month of Messidor, An.'^X. of the Fr. Rep. June & July, 1802. O'O0f)*^rOi0t4xWfc0>- Day of rh- Month. aEVJCiO>^WibOH-O^OOv:iCiCnrfi.WtO «E OB CD_Vl VjV4^ODGOODQ0(XCBO0CDODO0ODVrVl^O0'O0QDO0ODQDCCQDO0 th-i-O^OOOOfcOtCt-'O — ^^►-»->-^i~ — OOt-OOH-totOOJ •i IfO to lOtO^JtsStObOlOtOtObOfcOlOtOlObOcOtOtOlOtOfeOfcOlsJtOtOlOtO ®QDaD^^^VtVlGDQDQD00COaDQ0C»g)W0DCDVlv:tC»C»QDQDVrQDQDQ0Q0 Day of the Moon. t-'-^COWbO^O^^-'*-' — ---H-o*-©©©^^ O ti fco to OC0DO0JC0OttOOOO00CnO»OtOO»0:'OOOCOOOiC>30C»0DOCPOi iKJ bO lO lO to to to l>3 tsD ki to to ls5 lO lO to to lO lO lO to to to JO to Is) to fcO lO «BQDCD^>Vi^v4ViOOOOCOQOQOOOQDCDODCDGD^VJVrc»ODOOV|OOOOCO ga^ipr-v-o»-'-»-feo>->->t-to»-^->-t-0*-"^00>-'-o^to frCOOCOQeoOOiOiO O O 0» O 03tOL-i00O00Oa)OQDOT00C0C003 3 rt O O. taOiC^OiOiOOOOC^ OoSS^O*^^^*^^QOOOCOGOSOQDOOCDOB <-jTOCaOOGtO>t^OBCnOOOCOOCOOOOCf;OOOOCOO>OtODMOCj> — — — — ^^to,o»-ioiobOioi ' — — — H-tototo — tototot^tototo "M:-^*>ao-i4^©)OOto^O^*-OD^:r?OQOQOooO'-0^^0 — OO'-to Q: O OBI Qi O OP 00 OOO 00*-^^<»0 Cn 0_0«^ O t- ^'3^ to to to fcO to to ►- to to to H- to to to to to to -- ^ o o o OOOiOROOOOOODQO tototobototototototototo OOO h- »- ^ o O O 00 0>^ CPODOODCnCCDQOtQCnOOi to <— 00 O Oi 'O to >-_o_j5_c_oi_ "M O rf^ Q O) O K3 O bO OCy Cj« Oi tfe. Oi C^ Oi O O o» o to to to to lO to O to H- to W 4^ to to to to to to H- »- H- o 0:>CnQDCOOC;JOC->0?OOtOD boiotobototototototoboto Qbotouitototototocotow woooooboo oo qciootooooooooo ■^ to to H- to to to —'►- — H- co»- O^ O — O^^^DOO »- V- to (O to to "- to ^ ^ »- QOCOt-i-OO'OOOOCO^ c*300 O^ OOOOOiOCiOOOODOOiQOODO >— to — — -- to QD O ^ 'O ^ O O OB 00^ CO — — tObObOtOi— tOtOi- — 0DQ0O>-OO<©OO^^ NJ O to Oj-O O O C^ O OOOopOOiOO»0000 3 ? ^ * ^ ""* *"■ *"* 5' 2 5:* o 5' o* ^* ?^" 5* OOP b b i' ct w o d o c 53 a o cr o a a o o T) o o o ;r S^ ^' ? ^ ^- H. ^' ^' p;- x- x- ?i- x- 5:- 5" ^- r ^* cSctOv. g^o'^' ooooooog^.^ ^Q.^ 2-." ^"-.i'S v^ '^< o^DOQgc^j^qqw -?• ft p; o o 3 o c t. 3* . . _ o 00 o o 0^0 ^' d'o 3 0==" o § P B* ^' 5" p O O f6 5 S P 5:31. t3 onth of Thertnidor, An. X. of the Fr. Rep. July & Aug. 1803 0'©of)'^a)0»6'Wfco vjQ)Crt>^tCt0f-O^ ODVJCiOirfi.COtO ODO0C»0OQD(XC»C»O0O0O0C»CCC»CDQOO0C»O000GDa0QDQO(XO0C»QOQD 0>-tOWWJs5tOtOtOWtOfcOH-fcOt-H-i--r-»-iOOt--'fcOtO;-'H-H-h-fcO 0» ^ O OOOCC'Oi^^'g)OODO^OOTOOCOCwOCCOOiCOOOOOOC Day of the Month. Day of the Moon J QDCX>(»(»0DC»O0O00BC»0000a5COCD(X)00<»QDCOQ0OC)Q0COGDGDCDGD0O »CD(»C»0OCDGO(»C»Q0O000O2(X)O0Q0C»O0O0C»O0C»CDO0Q0OODOO 0_0. ^3t0tCH->-.-tOtOfcsJU)lO^i— — — ^tOH-t- — >- — ^^ — ^t- — DOQDOt;3000GOOOOO'^000000 to to to to to lo w to to to to tOfeOh-t-totOr-o^OOOO^ otototototototototototototoKJtotototototot-Dtototototototo PODQCOODCPQCrtOOtOOiOOOOObOtOO sJtototototObototototototototototototo fltnWOi>|i.WWrt».0iWC0fc0t0t0t-Wp-l-O Oi O Cn Cjt Ot CjT tfi- O O O to to to — lO o o o^ o to to to lO — '- ^ '- t-^ DOOOOOOOOOOOOC0TO».OtC>t-O>txOOj^OiC-.OC oiototototototototototoioto^totO'-to o»-WH-^-OfcOO — ^isi'-0^i->-OMO O^^cBco QD^ <0 00 OO nQOOO^^^OODO^OOO^OOiOiODtOO^tOOOOOOGPOQCjiO ofcotototototototototo — — t-. — ►-,---,— -^H-ts>oOO'-O^C'O^^^Q0 rpppopopopppP opoog^o*^ ^ ODOOOOVJOioOOO^^OOVj to JJi_0 to OP o o o o o c o ^ ;^. = ^ ^ o g^o o '^ J^ ^ rj Crt p o o fT J- s 'i 5:' 5^* ^* 5:* S^' 5^* 5^' S' S' ^* 5:' 5:' ^' )pcopppooppcoP 5ESS5??5S? ?;■ ?;-■ ^* s o o o . r-r c/> O :T 5 O - - - - p c a. p. r?5 222SP.S?P. 5S252^2 5'QS2SS?5?3^3 52G rp©ooooo§"oooooP oogoooooo? ? ?o = * ' ^ ^ Month of Fructidor, An. X. of the Fr. Repub. 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Ditto, Easty. wind. Ss. wd.cliangeable. Cloudy. Ditto. Fine, Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto^ Ditto. Cloudy. Ditto. Fine. Cloudy. Ditto, and windy. Cloudy. Ditto. Ditto. Ditto. Fine. Ditto. Ditto ? ? ^ 2 z B PI < i. > C > ^- ;^" ^" o ::;" ::i' 3 ?;* ^' ;:;• ^' ^ ^' :^' ^ ::;• ^- ^- 3 ^' o ^" g o s . . . ^ . . • g. • • ...... . ^ . ^ ^ :^- :^- ;:;• cT :3<.- o o *" 3' ^' c ;:i' ^- ^- ^- ^- ^- ^- ^- ^- ^- ^' f^" 3 o ? ? ? ci^? c^i^a.^ ? o.? ? 9 9 ? ? ?. ? 9 ? ? ? ' cl. o o O 3 9 ? ^ ■i )nth of Vendemiaire, An. XI. of the Fr. Rep. Sep. & Oct. 1802 0^oo'^cr;Oi>;i-wtot*-o^co'^CiO»>Fi.wtOH- Day of the Month. aO>O»>^.C>3fc0 t-O^ CDV>OiCj.*.C0 fcO— oSS-^OiC^^wS-O^ Day of the %• 'OP. >D to to to » 00 00 GO - O O O to to N5 to rs3 to to CO CD OD"^ OO QD (X vj ^ O >- O 10 I- O w -cn o ^ •^ o o lo to to to to to to to to to to ODGDGCOOCOGOODOOOOCCOO cococobOK>coocto>— toco O G) Cn -^t Ctt >ft. 4^ Oi O O O S5 to to to » 00 00 CD o o o H- 00 O to ti to to to to to 00 00 00 VI 00 00 00 O ^ O O O to to Cn O C;i OC O O O to to to to CC QO 00 00 O to CO 00 O 00 O O tototOLOtototototOboto oooooocooocooooooooooo W CO c o. COCOtOCOCOCOh- — CO OO — 4i' toco O ti Cn O to to to 00 QC C^ O - to to to C;iOv^i-0 OO ^ O CO 00 ^4!k.ts)(0)^brCnCOCn4^tl^^COCn CO CO to to CO CO OO CC 4:^. to 00 ►L. W 0^ tft vKC OOOi^COi(kOOOCn4i^OO» — Cn Ct CO COOOCriCiOOCCiC; OOIO O O >04:».tO0cCo4i«Ci00Oi»fi.Co4i'Cocn Oi CO to W 00 CC CO CO ^ to CO >1^ >^ CO Oi :5^OOC-itOCCnOO00OOO O 0^ O O Cn O O^O O CO CO CD O C-. O ^j ci Oi*^J coiCcvjoovrvrco-MGD CO 00 V) 0*^rv)vjccvj^ 00 CC vj 00^ 5COOOOOOOOOO00O 1- O to O»Q0*-OiCOOt0 00 On lo o to to •— to to to to to ic to — ^-too^'-OO^ ^g to tC 1— to -4^,-vjwc:ioooD^ ooooo C O 00 DOiOOt-'OOOCCooOOC;' O CO Ci oovjoo^tcj,cr5 o o OD C H M Zr t^ i^vj Cji C:)VJ Oi a^ Cn 01 ►^ O: Oi Oi O^ 4^ (^ Ol -^ Or, S nOiC;» OOO^O.OOi Oi Ci •- Ci CC CO O O to C» Cn t;. O 00 Oi ^5: car = X I o »{ik 4». *k it^ CO ^i. t;x Ct vr 4^ Ci vj 0-, Oi .>^ >f^ C-» Cn C?i 4^ CI hi. On ^ On vr Oi O.i^i^ r'n! 50^ CO O 0» COC l>-^OCOOiOCr>OOiOO^OC bOQ^Q O^ 00 Q VT Q ! 5 " I V :;.•;::;•?;•;=.• Pi- ;:;• o" 2 s ^' o o ^ 5 5 ^ ^- ;:;• 3 o ;:;• -• ^' ^ -• > o o p i 000 •^ c c c ^ a, sx c- 'T? "^ ^ Ci 5 o P c O O O C r* r^ -t ;• w. ?;• :i- r;.- 5- ^- ;::.• <5 3 ;:;• o ^^^ -■ ;^- -■ ;;• ^- ^i- -• ►:^. -;• ^ ^ ^ ^ o O "' o o 3l* ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 5:' z" '^' !n:" 5^' ""^ ^ o o o p o p p 3" p o o o ^ i ^ ?* ? ? § §■ 5- ^ ^ S ? § S ? 2* S' ^' ^' ? ?1?" S' r. 5:' § c^: 5' 2 2 w s: 5 =5 o ^ re • ta cr o pi 000000 ^ OP ^ Month ofPrumaire, An. XI. of the Fr. Rep. Oct. & Nov. 1802^ of the Monih. 00*>siC5tnH^Cois>^O^OOV»CiCni^>CJtO O'O0D^JO--0i+-Wt0H-O^ Uay of the Moon. i>i t>i bo 5>- to lo to tc lo to tvJ to to to to ic to lo to to to to to to lo to lo to to c ^ o c^ c -cc^«o ^ cc Oi O o» c o o _ c^ cp_ to ic - o vr POD 00 I- to O'O 00 — Oi'M'v^tVlOO'-^.-OtOtO o: 'M_p_nC4^ o o o o 00 to to ic to to Lc to to 00 a^vjvi^v^^sj 00 — CnOO^ v-ccO^ O O O O 00 O O. co_p^co_ *o to to ic lo to to to to to to to lO 00 00 VJ O O 00 to to to to OD CD 00 ^ o o CD D- O to o 5to o^ tototototototototototo *^lVJViV^V}VtVlSiV4 00 OO CD — o_o c o 0»00^ i-CiO0D<© to to to OO ^J -M o - ^ O to O to < o "^ 3 to to OJ 00 O to Cn 00 to to 00 VI to H- tO 00 o-^ vr vjvj ^ o — c »- to Q) V) "^ V> 0_^ 00 O Ot VJ ^ to to !o to lo to to to to (O to I 'siv:rvjoovi-ot- — — O^ 00 o go vr O O *^ ^ o «> o - ]^ c^ 'O M c^ cr. vj ^.t vt to w O O 4^ ^. C feo O CD O C: .to. Ci O ^ _ «C^ coco O^ CiVJCi*^«vi*vtt- W r-OOOOO^QOOOOOtO*-0:)OiW>^ to X^ O 4i- CJ^ Cn Q> ^> Oi O Oi O Cn CQ t p O^Q^VJOOVJOcOOCOf-tOtoi^O^W O OH-.'v>oiOOooocr _ oo oooDCOJvrOooQ)>-^,crrOo;cM o c *0^' VJ oc Cn_ClD_C£t^ w CO Z O cjt g, oco o o. o c o - C7» OO O O V) ^- N- Oj io >— o; to Cn Cj> o <— ' Or^i^WWtO^OtO^ti-.CnOiO^vi'M c>:>OOOO^QOO^ODO'Ot»Cj CD J)^ Ox ti^ (A Cr» O O W O On ^J OOOt^OO^OOOOO OOOD '"-IVJODODCDQW tOtOOOOOOQOt-tOtOOitfcktSo^U) — 'vC^QOOC^C)COCDODC»COtO ^^►-OCDOOODCDCOO'-tOtOtO'MOi O O C) 00 Cj> crj T] Q op_ o c o tJiCO -TJ 2C ^ ^ gJrTS o oi; Q ^ n c - § s g rfu en o O > ^ >-. o o o -c; (T> ^ • c^ ^ 5* c 55 ft ^' p; •''^- .^ ? 9 ^. (T) O O O cc papa coo W p C Ve; X* f^ o c ^ 5* • d o r v, mc ; %i- ■T)ay of the Month Day of the Moon. J 00 00'00"V|'^^ 00 OOOOOO-vl-vJ 00 00^-<» 00-vj-v("v}^ 00^-v|"-vl 0^^OOOOO^^t-Oi-'>-'OH-'h-o Oo "<} ^ O i— O "<» S = c »0000-^^^C»0000^^-^OOGOOOGOCC'^0000'Vj^OO-v5-^~vJ-<{Oo-v^^->s» OtOOH-OOOO^^C»0^-'^O^OOOl-'^0»-0^-000--^OOO4^'^^'^T'^^C»000^OO0e)C>OOO>0tQPOOG>- z o ^D ^0 ^^ ^D *o ^D io 6D io !:/500-*^0000-vj^*v|-v}00^^! ■^ Ci 1^ Ot - 00 "vT ;o CO C Ox ^ K) 00 fO *0 "^ "^ O O CC O ^0 »ti> 00 00 O O^ O-, Or 4^ O Crt 00 O-t O-i 0^-<{ t— Oi OD ^ Oi 00 O^ 00 ^ O O.O 0> C-. ^7 00 a Qs ^ti. Ut "VI C^J trt O^ CA ^ 3 00 ^ 00 - 00 o ^o Oc e o^ <^,o 4-^ h€> o •i:- o O Ox )0 o KO K> o ^o u^ o c 00 o O^ p J^ c o> CO o o o o o o 4^ o o o o» o ;x *^ OiOf 0^ Oi O^. Cjx C^ -."-- a.. . cr' 3 ft 3 c- : s S" S' 5:" ^ S* S' S" § S^ -^ ^ S 2 c" ?^ s. ?;.• -^- =• g' s-- 5' ^' s. pi- ?;• 5- ar > .^ ? ? P ^ ? o ^ .^ =r ^ 5 ^ o g_ sr p ^ Sr P ^ o ^ o ? o o -^ I 5 5 a K Month of Nivose, An. Xl. of tlie Fr. Rep. Dec. 1809, & Jan. 1803, Day of the Month, Day of the M«'on. OS*^aiO>*^C-Ki»-0 C^C»^C%Cj»4;^C0^D»-'O^ ^O rO fO ^^ ^0 rC O ^0 fO IC- 'O AO ^C O f'O fO rO *0 KJ ^Ci K) <0 ^0 /C< <0 M /O <0 JO t-^'Ot-QK-^O'OO-. C^. 4^0oO^-^-OOCOCOM)C^OO.-'&coo^- •- OD O O C^ O:. O >C C> C V3 <>^ ^- <^- O '^ '>^ 'O C . O Cr> i^ ^ ^0 k:i "^ C>. 'nC 4i^ O Six o'clock in ilie Morning /^C. /C *S ^O /C /C 1^ (Cj iZ, «J KJ t>J to t0 O: CO ^ O. -<} -vi ^ k-i o^ o; ^ O Co so 05 S 3 .n =c *C ^O fO <-0 /-C > :.- '-^ to to tO (O to to to bo to to to K> tO to tO to to to to to lO .^, - H- C >- O O ^ *0 ^> Ot 0; VO •ii' ^1 fc- *0 O^ m ft' ^ o; C» C» ^ O. O -> -^ 03 C". ^ 00 ^ C.;x THERMOMETER. West. East. West. East. West. East. Six o'clock in the Ten o'clock in ilie Morning. Noon. Evening. ico-»coocoooooocc^.tooc^oo^^^oc^oooooooo tO-^'OOoO^lOCO^-''-''— coi-'CC^OOiCo^iO^Ccooco^lO'-'i-oco ^T 4:. O '- O r>r C O C O iO 00 O ^T ^1 O O O O O: Oa 00 00 >0 O --■"» O O O -<} ^-<(Co--J<0^4 000— ^COoOaKiOiOOsOot-Oi'OH-^^OOcOir-iOO C4^^0r..f^OCOOCOTJOC^OOOOt-OOCOciOCCo^tA. OOO vocvODO^.-^i'OOOC^-vj^i-coGc-vjooGooso^h-'^jDa^ai'Mgsoo^'^o^ •^104^0->OC^OOa>CCO'-'0 0>^10 0T04^-^ia;00>OCOr.-<}>--'^k-'0> -VJ CTi -M C^. C^. C>. O C "^} CTi C^, O 00 or -v| 00 00 ^0 O ^ ^ 00 o, O. C^ 4.. -00O4i.0'O0>0-»0x r §^ x^ E. S^ r E. o- S ^' ^ 2 § 1 o- s. 5- 5- ^. 0- E. 1 E. 5^ g 0" 5' ^ *^ 'r^ ':r"-:^ 5- -^ H- — ^ "^ S^ "^ »> ":*= » "^ i. i: ^ ^' .0' sr Morning. Cloudy. Do. Southerly wind. Ditto. Fine. Cloudy. Ditto. Ditto. Fine. Cloudy. Ditto. Rain. Cloudy, Do. strong E. wind. Heavy Rain. Fine. Ditto. Cloudy. Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto Ditto Ruin thro't. the dav. Ditto. Ditto. Fine. HcavvUaiu. iDilto! 'Ditto. ICloudy, C 2 tr fi E. 5' -■ -• r ^' =. ^ c S' ^' = 2 X S' -• 5' 5 ? S' ^ S' S" 5' ^ S" ^' 5 o' ^* ? o" CLIMATE OF NICE. 131 SUMMARY OF OBSERVATIONS ON THE CLIMATE OF NICE. April begins the 12th Germinal, and ter- minates the 11th Flor^al, inclusive, having 30 days. The greatest elevation of the barometer was S8..7..8,on the 22nd day of the month, at noon. The greatest depression was 27-9.. 1, on the Ifth day of the month, in the morning. The mean height is 28..2..4f. the difference is 10..7. The greatest elevation of the thermometer was 21 on the 25th day of the month, at noon. Its greatest depression 5, .6, on the Uth day of the month, in the morning. The difference is 15..4. The temperature of this month was mild and dry. There was no fog. The 6th, 12th, l6th, 17th, I8th, 24tb, days, were rainy, but the showers were gentle and favorable to vegetation. It tvas perfectly fine K 2 1.32 CLIMATE OF NICE. on the Jst, ^tb, 7th, Sth, lath, 19th, 20th, 2l&t, '27ih, 28th, 29th, and 30th days: the 10th, 14th, 22nd, and 24th, were cloudy: the 3rd, 4th, 9th, 12th, ISth, ISth, 23rd, 2oth, and 26th, were changeable^ but mild: the 2nd and 11th were very windy- May begins the 12th Floreal, and terminates the 12th Prairial, having 31 days. The greatest elevation of the Barometer was 28..3..0 on the 10th day of the month, at noon. Its greatest depression was 27..7..2 on the 14th day of the month, in the evening. The mean height is 27..11..1, the difference is 5..10. Tile greatest elevation of the thermometer was 20..5 on the Sth day of the month, at noon. Its greatest depression was 7. .8 on the 15th day of the month, in the evening. The difference is 12..7. The temperature of this month was mild and dry. It rained on the ISth, 14th, 16th, and 29th days: the 12th it was stormy: the 3rd, 4th, 6th, 7th, Sth, 9th, lOth, 11th, iGth, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th^ CLIMATE OF NICE. 133 gist, 22nd, 23rd, 27th, 30th, and 31st, were very fine days: the 25th, 26th, and 28th, were cloudy : the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 12th, were changeable: the 4th the wind was high. The same wind pre- vailed during the month. June begins the 13th of Prairial, and termi- nates the 12th of Messidor, having 30 days. The greatest elevation of the barometer was gB.,3..2 on the 19th day of the month, in the morning. Its greatest depression was 27..10..0 on the 28th day of the month, at noon. The mean height is ^8..0.,7. The difference k 3..2, : V " The greatest elevation of the thermometer was 23..0,on the 19th, 21st5 and 27th, at noon. . Its greatest depression was 14 on the 8th day of the month, in the morning. The difference is 9. The Gthj 7th, and 26th, days were rainy : the 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, l6th, i8th, 19th, 20th, 21st, 23rd, and 29th, were serene and fine: the 1st, 2nd, Srd, 6th, 17th, 24th, 25th, 27th, and 30th, were cloudy : the 4th, 8th, and 22nd, were changeable: the 22nd there was a 134 CLIMATE OF NICE. Storm: the 6th it blew hard: the 28th it blew strong from the south. The prevailing winds were from the east and west. July begins the 13th of Messidor, and termi- nates the 13thofThermidor, having 31 days. The greatest elevation of the barometer vVas 28..3 on the 24th day of the month,, in the evening. Its greyest depression was 27..0..3, on the 31st day of the month, in the evening. The mean height is 27* .9..0. The difference is 1 . The greatest elevation of the thermometer was 24..0 on the 6th and 20th, at noon. The greatest depression was 14..0 on the 14th day of the month, at noon and in the evening. The differeiiceis 10* The 11th and 14th were rainy, and thunder was heard on both these days towards the north : the 6th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, JOth, 12th, 15th, l6th, 17th, ISth, ^Oth, 21st, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 28th, 29th, and 31st, were fine: the 13th, lf)tli> 22nd, 26th, ^nd 27th, were cloudy: the Ist^ 2nd, 3rd, ^th, ^nd 30th, were changeable, CLIMATE OF NICE. 135 The prevailing wind was from the east. August begins the 14th of Thermiclor, and terminates the 14th of Fructidor, having 31 days. The greatest elevation of the barometer was 28. .3. ,2 on the 27th day of the month, in the evening, Its greatest depression was 28.. 0.. 5 on the 16th day of the month, in the morning and at poon. The difference is 0..2..7. The mean height is 28..1,.9f. The greatest elevation of the thermometer was 27 on the 17th day of the month, at noon» Its greatest depression was 17, on the 26th, 29th^ and 31st, days of th^ month, in the morn- ing. The difference is 10.. Q. Rain fell on the 27th day of this month only. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, nth, 12th, 13tb, 14th, 15th, i6th, 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th, 23rd, 28th, 29th, 30th, and 31st, days were fine : the 24th and 26th were changeable: the 2oth it blew a strong easterly wind. 136 CLIMATE bF NICE, September begins the 1,5th of Fructidor, and terminates on the 8th of Vendemiaire. The greatest elevation of the barometer was 28,.3..9, on the 24th day of the month, at noon. Its greatest depression was 27.-9 on the 10th day of the month, in the morning. The differ-^ enceis 0.,4..9, The mean height is ^S.,O.Ai. The greatest elevation of the thermometer was ^6. .6 on the 7th day of the month, at noon. Its greatest depression was 12.. 5 on the 8th day of the month, in the morning. The differ* once is 13..0, No rain fell during this month. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, 17th, 18th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 23rd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th, days were fine : the 8th, 9th, 10th, 1 1th, 12th, 13th, 14th, 15th, and l6th, were fine and changeable : the 19th, the wind blew strong from the south east. October begins the 9th of Vendemiaire, and terminates the 9th of Brumaire, having 34 days. CLIMATE OP NICE. 137 The greatest elevation of the barometer was fS.Jonthe 17th of the month, in the morning. Its greatest depression \Vas 27..1m3 on the 1 5th day of the month, in the evening. The dif- ference is 1..5.,9. The mean height is 27..10..1 . The greatest elevation of the thermometer was 22, on the third day of the month, at noon. Its greatest depression was 8, on the 31st day of the month, at noon and in the evening. The difference is 14. The 12th, 14th, I5th, l6th, 17th, 18th, 20th, 22nd, 24th, 25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th, and 30th, days were rainy: the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th, and 12th, were fine: the Sth, 9th, lOthy 11th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 17th, ISth, 19th, 2M, and 23rd, to the 31st, were cloudy and changeable: the 27th and 31st it hailed; the 13th and 21st there were storms: the 30th it thundered, and there w^as a severe storm: the 10th and 24th a strong impetuous easterly wind: the I7th a northerly wind: the 18th> g4th,and 25th. I3S CLIMATE OF NJCE. November begins the 10th of Brumaire, and terminates the 9th of Frimaire, having 30 days. The greatest elevation of the barometer was ^8.. 5 on the 19th day of the month, at noon and In the evening. Its greatest diBpression was 27.. 1 ,.2 on the 10th day of the month, in the evening. The differ- ence is 1..3.J0. The mean height is 27. .9..1. The greatest elevation of the thermometer was 19, on the 6th day of the month, at noon. Its greatest depression was 5, on the 29th and 30th days of the month, in the morning. The difference is 14. The 1st, 8th, 9th, 13th, Uth, l6th, 17th, 20th, 21st, 22nd, 25th, 26th, 27th, and 30th, days were rainy; the 17th deluges of rain : on the above mentioned days of the month, there fell a great deal of rain, much more than commonly falls at this or any other season of the year. The 3rd, 4th, 6th, nth, 12th, 14th, 18th, 19th, 2jth,. 28th, and 29th, days were fine: the 2nd and )Oth were CLIMATE OF NICE. 13^ cloudy: the 5th, 7th, 10th, and 23rd, were changeable : the 17th and 2oth it hailed, but no harm was done to vegetation: the 26th it thundered: the 21st it blew strong from the south. December begins the 10th of Frimaire, and terminates the 10th Nivose, having 31 days. The greatest elevation of the barotneter was 28. .2. .9 on the morning of the 9th day of the month, and in the evening of the Sth. Its greatest depression was 27-. 1. .'5 on the 20th day of the month, in the morning. The differ- ence is 1..1..4. The mean height is 27..3..1. The greatest elevation of the thermometer was 16 on the 1 1th day of the month, at noon. Its greatest depression was 3 on the 27th day^ of the month, in the morning. The difference is 13. The Ist, 3rd, 4th, 7th, 8ih, 23rd, 28th, and 30th, it rained very much: the 2nd, 12th, 13th, Uth, 19th, 20th, 21st, 29th, were fine: the 5th, 6th, 9th, 15th, 16th, 18th, 22nd, 24th 25th, and 31st, were cloudy; the 10th. 17th, 26th, and 27th, 140 ' CLJ MATJE OF NICE. were changeable : the 26th there was a storm : the 1 1th and 23rcl a violent southerly wind. During these nine months I find the greatest degree of heat was in August and Septeniber, which nnonths were much the warmest of the Tear. The mercury rose in August to 27, - above the point of congelation ; but I ought to observe the situation of the thermometer was not the most favorable, and I think the 27 may be * reduced to 53. The thermometer was Reaumur's, and the observatory was i&eventeen feet above the level of the sea. Three months only of observations were made whilst I resided at Nice. The account of the state of the weather durinor the above mentioned time commences on the 12th of Germinal, and ends on the 12th of Nivose, though the tables begin on the 1st of the former month, and terminate on the 30th of the latter. It may be necessary to inform the reader, that I have employed the Republican Calendar, in order to accommodate the person who assisted me in making my observations. I TOCOGRAPHY OF VILLA'TRANCA. Ul SECTION VIT. TOPOGRAPHY OF VILLA-FRANCA, NOW CALLED ViLLE-FKANCHE, AND ITS ENVIRONS. From Nice to Ville-franche the distance is a league. As the road is bad it is preferable, in calm weather, to go by water. The passage is made in half an hour. In the way thither the ^ye is fatigued with the conthiued glare of rocks^ bleached and worn by the waves. The harbour is spacious, deep, and of «afe anchorage. It is oryly exposed to southerly w^inds; to the west it is sheitei'ed by Mont-Alban, to the north by very high mountains, and to the east by a neck of land covered with beautiful olive, and every kind of fruit trees. At the entrance of th« harbour there is a light-house defended by the cross fire of formidable batteries. Emanuel Phili- bert, Duke of Savoy, ordered the fort to be built, which commands the port that is situated below jtj and is about three hundred yards from the 142 TOPOGRAPHY OF VILLA-FRANGA. town. The King of Sardinia lately kept two frigates here to protect the commerce of Nice against the pirates who infested this coast. There is also a prison where the galley slaves are confined. The town contains about two thousand inha- bitants. It is situated at the bottom of the harbour, and is built in the form of an amphi- theatre. No place on the coast of Provence or Italy enjoys milder winters. The climate in general is said to be as mild as that of Naples, which is much farther to the south. It is even supposed that the anana would grow here if pains were taken to cultivate it; The Olivula of the ancients was situated on the extremity of the peninsula. It existed until the end of the thirteenth century. At that period the incursions of the pirates forced the inhabitants to take refuge at A^illa-franca, which had just been founded by Charles II. Count of Province and King of Naples. To go from hence to Monaco or Menton by sea, which is the most agreeable way, the TOPOGRAPHY OF VILLA-FRANC A. 143 traveller must embark at Beau-lieu. Along the beach are several caverns, which bring the fabled grottos of the Nereides to recollection. To travel by land it is necessary to depart from Viila-franca, by which the road from Nice to Menton passes. In consequence of orders given in 1S02 this road is to be altered. It was once in contemplation to follow the Aureliaii road, which led from Rome to Empurias, in Catalonia. This road passed alons: the declivity of the north side of the mountain from Cimiez to Turbia : the new road is to pass by the declivity of the south side, and afterwards over the summit of the mountain, as far as Ez^. The neck of land already mention- ed, which forms a peninsula to the east of Villa* franca, is a delightful spot, and is very properly called Beau-lieu. Its southern extremity, where it stretches a little towards the east, is defended by a tower. There was formerly a fort here, demolished by Catinat. This point is considered famous in the coun- try for the virtues of the hermit railed Hospiti- us, who predicted the invasion cf the Lombards- 144 TOPOGRAPHY OF VILtA-t^RANCA* He died towards the end of the fifth century^ and the place now bears his name. It forms a creek, where tunny is caught. In order to protect Villa-franca, the Duke of SaVoy had a citadel constructed on a rock com- manding the sea. The precipice was so rough that both iron and fire were required to destroy its irregularities. He planted many pieces of artillery there, and appointed a governor. Fort-Alban, of which we have already spoken, also contributed to the defence of the town. The subsequent Dukes of Savoy made a free port of Villa-franca, for general advantage, in commemoration of which the inhabitants of Nice erected a monument with this inscription : ^' Magno Carolo Sabaudiae Duel, Et Victori Amedeo iuvictlssimo filio. Quod immensa Regalium animorum amplitudine^ Non suos tantum populos, Sed universum terrariim orbem complexi nationes omnes, Gratuita portuosi littoris immunitale Magnis aucta commodis recipi voluerint, Etemuni graii aninii monimentum Ab omnibus ubiquc populis debitura ^Jicaca fidelis collocavit." I'OPOGRAPHY OF VILLA-FRANCA. 145 It was at Villa-franca that I Ion ore d'Urfe died, who was formerly so celebrated, and whose me- mory is now almost buried in oblivion. He ren- dered the banks of the Lignon * famous, and his passionate love for Diana of Chateau-Morand, gave origin to the romance of Astrce. It is well known that his attachment was succeeded by the coldest indifference, to say the least of it. when Diana became his wife. He quitted her, and retired to the Court of Charles Emanuel, to whom he^vas related on his mother's side, who was daughter of Claudius of Savoy, Count of Tenda, aqd Governor of Provence. He sometimes travelled in the states of Emanuel, and was at Nice when he was taken ill. He went afterwards to Yiila-franca, where he died in 1625. Besides the romance of Astrce^ which was finished by Baro, his secretary, he wrote several other works. Among the rest is a poem in stanzas, the subject of which is the de- parture, absence, and return of AV^/?^, that is the * A small river that has its source in the ci-devant county oi Aviv^rgne, disebarging Itself into the Loire. 146" TOPOGHAPHY of MONACO. author himself, who under that name sunghb amours with Diana, SECTION VIIL TOPOGRAPHY OF MO:t^ACO. At a few miles from Turbia Monaco is seen. It is situated on a rock joined to the continent by a neck of land, ^\ hich gives it the appearance of a peniiisula. The descent from Turbia to Monaco is so steep as to be dangerous^ even for foot pas- sengers. Virgil alluding to this rock says in the Mneid : ** Aggeribus socer alpinis, atque arce Monaeci Descendens.** Caesar, father-in-law of Pompey, descended from the Alps and rock of Monaco to attack his son-in- law. Lucan, in his Pharsalia, makes the legions of Caesar pass by Monaco, when ordered, at the commencement of the civil war, to march to the banks of the Rubicon. There was formerly a temple dedicated to Hercules, from which TOPOGRAPHY OF MONACO, 147 it has been concluded he must have passed that way in the course of his travels. All fables are not pure fictions. It is certain there were se- veral Hercules. Cicero, in his treaty " de Na- tura Deorum'^ reckons six, and if we can believe Varro, there were forty-four warriors to whom an- tiquity gav'C the same name. It is very probable that one of them, named INIonoecus, or the solitary, passed from Greece into Italy^ France, and Spain, not as iEschylus represents it in his tragedies, to fight the Ligurians with the flint stones which Ju- piter rained for that purpose, nor to separate Mount Calpe from Abyla, in order to join the Me- diterranean to the ocean, but for some other pur- pose with which we are unacquainted. At a time when boats, like the American canoes, were employed for the purposes of navigation, this Her- cules might have been forced by a storm to take shelter under the rock of ^Monaco, and perhaps may have erected a monument in testimony of his gratitude to the gods. Ammianus Marceliinus says the inhabitants themselves consecrated a temple to the Theban 14S TOPOGRAPHY OF MONACO. Hercules. If this be true, it would be difficult to account for the rock being called by the name of Hercules IMonoecus. Lucian, who resided some time in Gaul, where he exercised the profession of an orator, says, that the painters of that country re- presented Hercules with a long white beard, a bald head, and a tawny wrinkled skin, which gave him the appearance of an old sailor, or rather of Charon himself. In short, he had nothing of Her- cules but the lion's skin, the club, and the bow and quiver. "At first," adds Lucian, "Hmaginc they represented him thus, in order to ridicule the Greeks, or to revenge the incursions he made in- to their <:ountry on his way to Spain ; but when I saw a multitude of people tied by the ear with a number of little golden strings to the tongue of the figure, I requested one of the learned men of the country to explain the enigma. He replied, We do not believe with the Greeks that Mercury is the ^od of eloquence, but w^b think it is Hercules, who is nuich more pow^erful. We think he has at- chiovcd a'l that attracts our admiriition, not by the XOPOGRAPHY OF MOXACO. 14-9 ft>rce of his arms, but by that of his eloquence. We therefore represent him by an old man. be- cause reason does not arrive at perfection till that period of Hfe. The tongue by which the people are held is the instrument of their captivity, and their being tied to him by the ear is ernblema- tic of his reason. The darts represent its force, and are feathered because it is supposed to have wings. " The rock itself has undergone no changes for many ages, although it is constantly washed by mountainous waves. The dreadful tempest of 1773 is still spoken of at Monaco with horror. It was supposed to be the consequence of an earth- quake. The Marine of Monaco consisted of about twenty small barks, which belonged to the inha- bitants, who employed them to export oils and le- mons to Nice and Marseilles. There is reason to suppose the population formerly occupied the grounds where the enclosure and gardens of Conda^iine now are. The ruins of ancient buildings are sometimes 1^0 TOPOGEAPHY OF IviONACO- found, which renders the supposition more pro- bable. All this coast was cruelly ravagecl by the Lombards and Saracens. This little principality has been in the pos- session of the house of Grimaldi since the tenth century. They held it till 171^, under the protection of Spain, afterwards under that of France, which kept always from five to six hun- dred men in garrison at Monaco. That year the heiress of the house of Grimaldi having married, it passed to the house of Matignon, who held it till the revolution. The inhabitants had nothing to complain of, yet this did not prevent the revo- lutionary spirit which reigned in France from reaching them. They formed a convention, which was engaged in drawing up a constitution to render them happy, and to establish a republic next in rank to that of St. Marino, when one morning some troops arrived from Nice, planted the tree of liberty, made them vote their union to the department of the Mari- time Alps, and thus ended the opera tiom of the convention of Monaco, DESCRIPTIOX OF TURBIA. 151 Tlie late principality was composed of three communes, which contained about five thousand inhabitants. The revenue of the prince was considerable, and arose from the duties of the ports of Menton and I\Ionaco. This however did not form the whole of his revenue. The prince when he was in the country resided in a castle near i!^Ienton> which from the beauty of its situation recalls to mind the fabled gardens of the Hesperides. It is now the property of a citizen of Menton, who knows as little of the Hesperides as of their golden apples. SECTION IX. DESCRIPTION OF TURBIA, A MONUMENT ERECTED BY ORDER OF AUGUSTUS. TO TR.VNSMIT TO POSTERITY THE NAxMES OF THE INHABITANTS OF THE MARITIME ,ALPS, >VHOiM HE HAD SUBDUED. Here are seen the ruins of the monument erected by Augustus, to transmit to posterity the 1 159 DESCRIPTION OF TURBIA. names of the inhabitants of the Maritime Alps, whom he had subjugated. The efforts must have been astonishing that this work required. In the first place, the Romans must have levelled a large piece of rocky land to make an area of an bun-- dred and fifty feet square. But this was the least of the difficulties, for they had afterwards to bring from a considerable distance a great quantity of stones of enormous weight to lay the foundation. The edifice is composed of four concentric circles, and the walls included by them are so solidly built that antiquarians suppose they have been cemented with the mortar called pozzolana.* There is also the base of a pillar of a square form built with the same care. In the middle of the building is around tower, terminat-^ ing in battlements. This circumstance has made some authors think it is of modern date; but as * The Pozaolana takes its name from a volcanic sand found near Naples. It is also to be 'met with in some parts of the department of the Var, particularly on the coast between Antibes and Toulon. The persons who are employed to obtain it, are obliged to dig deep, in order to get at the layers^ that have not been exposed to the air or water. DESCRIPTION OF TUREIA. 155 the workmanship is exactly of the same kind as the rest of the monument, it is impossible it can be less ancient. The battlements perhaps may have been added in latter times as an ornament. It is said there was a statue of Augustus on the top of the tower, which was raised up on the west side by means of twp stairs supported by columns of the doric order, and that on the north and south sides there were trophies resembling those of Marius at Rome. If this was the case, the names of the people that inhabited the mountains which extend from the sources of the Adige to the bishoprick of Trent, to the Durance and the Var, must have been engraved on the west side. The name of the Triumpilini is still seen on a stone which forms the archwav of a gate belonging to a house at Turbia. Three parts of the tower are now destroyed, and the remains have suffered so much, that it is necessary to consult the authors who have spoken of it, or the people of the country, in order to as- certain its dimensions. It still gives in its ruinous state a good idea of that govercign people, who 154 DESGRIPTION OF TURBIA. deemed only to work for posterity, or with the intention of overawing the nations they conquered. They undoubtedly had some interested view in fixing on that spot for erecting a trophy. The armies that the Romans sent by Liguria into France and Spain went that way ; hence it is not surprising they should erect at this place a splen- the occasion. The king invited them to the ceremony, and the princess presented a cap full of water to Protis, a ceremony which these peo»- ple observed, w^hen the choice of the husband waa determined. Flattered by this preference, and siipported by the alHance of so powerful a prince, the PhocaBans immediately laid the foundation of Marseilles. A temple consecrated to their tute- lary goddess, Diana of Ephesu&, was their first at- tempt in architecture. Her image was stampton all theii' coin, and her worship extended to alt the colonies they established, Justin observes^ that at this epoch, the Ligurian and Catamundian w ars began ; and here let me add, that to the per- petual irruptions of the barbarians may be attri- buted the origin of the colony which this history is intended to record. The Salii, according to Livy, were the most i?nveterate and formidable enemies of the Greeks, m whose defence the Gauls so vigorously exertedi themselves. Concerning the date of the foundation of Mar- FOUNDATION OF MARSEILLES. 189 selHes, some historians of credit are inclined to fix it imder the empire of Cyrus, about the 60th Olympiad ; but the most exact chronologists, among the rest Livy, Justin, Strabo, and Athenasus, at- tribute it to the 45th Olympiad, and the pre- sumption is in favour of this period : from which considerations we may conclude, that Marseilles was founded 154' years after Rome, and 599 be- fore Christ Had not the Phocagans Immediately after their flight sought an asylum in Gaul, no doubt can exist, but that Marseilles would have been the place of their retreat, in consequence of the con- sternation which pervaded the lonians, from the Success of the Persian arms. The probability is^ that two distinct colonies established themselves at Marseilles, the latter, no doubt, arriving when the great king overawed Asia. Solinus observes, ■*^ Phocenses quondam fugati Persarum advent^ IVIassiham urbem Olympiade qudragesima quints condiderunt." But the Persians were not master? -of Ionia, at the time when the Phocaeans resolved ^n flight. Thtre exists, consequently, a cbrono- 190 FOUNDATION OP MARSElLLESf. logical error, or the reason which obliged them to quit their country is misrepresented. Lucaa seems to have confounded Phocis with the Php- caeaiis of Ionia, and the following lines seem very much to confirm that notion : -'^ Nunquam felicibus armis Usa manus patriae primis a sedibus exul, Et post tralatas exustse Phocidos arces Maenibus exiguis alieno in littore tuti, Illustrat quos sola fides——." Lib, 3. The colony of Marseilles was no sooner esta- blished, and a form of government determined, than the inhabitants devoted their attention to commerce. They exchanged the productions of the soil for olives, wine, grains of different species, and all kinds of implements necessary for agricul- ture. The thirst of gain animated their industry, and became the leading feature of their policy. Navigators, geographers, and astronomers, were passionately admired and encouraged; and many enterprizing, persevering individuals, obtained pre- eminence in ythese different sciences. Pythias FJ>trKDATfOy OF MAi^EILLES. 191 l^sed the straits of Gibraltar, discovered the Spa- sish shore, and advanced far to the aortb, more th^i 320 jeais behte Christ: and another, not less celebrated navigator, sailed towards die south, ^dcoastai along the w^tem banksKJf Africa aad Senegal, In the iaterior, excellent jeguiatiois were adopted, and the la^'s engraven on tablets were exposed in the public j^ac^, fof the inspection of all classes of citizens. These rising advantages augured well for a peo l^e whose ^tabiishment w^ but in its dawn, itough their industry experienced severe inter- raptions from the perpetual wars, which the bar- barians who inhabited 'the neighbouring countries waged against them. This cause, alike cruel and disastrous, obliged them, as their numbers aug- mented and their arms were successful, to plant new colonies^ wuth the prudent intention of ex- tending their possessions, and guarding the mo- ther city from the irruption of these barbarians. These objects were no sooner accomplished, than other advantages awaited the settlers, They rather endeavoured to fgrm a virtuou> 192^ rOTTNDATION OF MARSEILLES. community, than to ameliorate the rudeness of the soil. Commerce and the arts flourished amongst them, an indefatigable zeal for the defence of the country, and the general welfare directed all their actions. To these noble principles, how- ever, interest, poverty, and vice itself, unknown in earlier ages, hereafter added their influence ; and it required an energy proportionate to the corrup- tion of a civilized people, to check the disorders of the state. To effectuate so desirable an object, they applied themselves to the cultivation of na- tional industry, and encouraged each other in- cessantly to pursue with ardour all that could contribute to the public glory. The new colonies, from the earliest period of their foundation, had insensibly introduced their customs among the natives, and laid the basis of a happier organization. But the face of the country underwent the most memorable altera- tion at the time the Romans first gained footing within it. The customs and religion of the con- querors were insensibly introduced, and vas- sals of a great empire, these people aspire<} at FOUNDATION OF MARSEILLES. 19S glory, and sought to ornament their minds with ©II that knowledge can bestow. Narbonnoise Provence, in the time of PHny, had made many advances towards civihzation, and at the fall of the Roman empire, INlarseilles, which according to the opinion of this author had been for many ages the Athens of Gaul, and by the suffrage of Cicero, pre-eminent in science, became the abode of wisdom, talents, and literature. This town, subjected to the laws of a sage re- public, and governed by impartial magistrates, augmented in force and renown. Its alliance with the court of Rome enabled it to overawe its ene- mies ; and this was the happy epoch, when the fine arts were encourao:ed and the minds of men unenervated, when indolence was banished, and deeds of heroism imitated and extolled. , Not- withstanding the advantages that resulted from the union of the two nations, their alliance un- questionably prepared the chains of slavery, and furnished a pretext for the Roman usurpation. At the commencement ot the first Christian cen- tury, the independence of the country was at- 19i FOUNDATION OF MARSEILLES. tacked, and with it liberty expired. Instead of the proud and ancient boast of being governed by their own laws, instead of obeying the decrees of their own senators, the power of electing the public authorities was annihilated, and not a spark of their former liberty remained. Such was the de- plorable humiHation to which the settlers were reduced ! Such were the effects of the Roman yoke. The foundation of a colony at the mouth of the Rhone, situated near a pleasant bay, did not fail to unite the Ligurians and the Salii, the bitterest enemies to the establishment of the Grecian ad- venturers. The Phocaeans, however, used every exertion that activity and industry could prompt to settle themselves on a respectable footing, and in proportion as they became powerful, drew on themselves the animosity and jealousy of their neighbours. The Ligurians and the Gauls, though industrious husbandmen and indefatigable warriors, were obhged to acknowledge their su- periority. The city was embellished, its resources multiplied; victorious in all they undertook, they rOuMDATlON 01^ MARSEILLES. I9.7 introduced the Grecian customs, and founded new Colonies with incredible rapidity. The Phocaeans, having taught the inhabitants of their new territory by precept as well as by exam- ple, to plant, sow, and labour for the general weal, had the satisfaction of witnessins: the light of civi- lization dawn amidst the gloom of barbarism. Pri- vate interest gave way to public, or rather both were blended in one ; agriculture employed every arm — the influence of literature began to be gra- dually felt — the arts and sciences embellished life, and commerce poured abundance among them ; vines and olive trees decorated the hills and plains, affording at the same time agreeable landscapes and wholesome nutrition. With whatever jealousy the natives might view the I\Iarseillois, they were not less earnest to ac- quire the same advantages : though arms were their chief occupation, and a confidence in their force their proudest feeling, these passions imper- ceptibly decayed, and in time they united in- dustry with courage. Nor can it be denied that, relying implicitly on their valour, they would have 196 FOUNDATION OF MARSEILLES. preferred to have obtained by rapine the advan- tages which the industrious Greeks obtained by- labour; but once eompletely subdued, the re- straint which it was necessary to impose on them, unfavourable to the progress of a free people ^ tended to civihze them more rapidly. Finding themselves members of a great em- pire, where ambition ancj the love of glory in- spirited men to the noblest enterprizes ; where merit was rewarded by all the testimonies art could bestow, and all the distinctions society could confer, they strove to march hand-in-hand with the Greeks, and to rival them in hterature and virtue. Nor here should I forget to commemorate, if such names want commemoration, those of Plo- tius, and Cato Valerius, once inhabitants of Mar- seilles, but who afterwards excited at Rome the love of literature by their example, and facilitated its attainment by their precepts ; whose lessons imparted to Caesar and Cicero, the warrior and the sage, the principles of wisdom and the lights of philosophy. Nor can it be wondered at, thatj, 1 FOU>"DATION OF MARSEILLES. 197 under such masters, the barbarians submitted to the yoke of reason, and became human in their conduct as well as in their persons. When albconquering Rome first displayed its fatal standard in Provence, she found the colonies governed by magistrates who respected rehgioh, and knew how to make it respected ; whose morals were irreproachable, and who sought by the mildest policy to establish the principles of social order, the surest basis of the prosperity of nations. Descendants of the wise Nestor, the inhabitants adopted his regulations, and knew that neither the strongest fortresses nor the best disci- plined troops, nor the most experienced leaders offered so true a defence for a country as the unanimity and virtiie of the inhabitants. They knew that, to be appreciated by the barbarians, they must subdue the fierceness of pride and pas- sion, compel unprincipled ferocity to give way to civilization, and, by conferring on them the bene- fits of religion, concord, and morals, call into birth those seeds of gratitude which nature has implanted in every bosom. They succeeded to 195 fouIn'dation of Marseilles. the utmost of their desires, their enlightened policy commanded the admiration of the country; and never was their power so imposing, their po- pulation so numerous, their prosperity so com* plete. Many towns, whose history we may have occasion to noticCjWere then built — -lasting tokens of their valour, or proud mouuments of their com- mercial wealth, The period at which the Marseillois were re* duced to the greatest extremities was in the year 131. Harassed by the perpetual in roads of theLigU' rians, and the hostilities of their other implacable enemies,and one of their principal towns in a state of siege, they resolved on sending ambassadors to Rome to declare the calamities they laboured under, and to implore the immediate aid of the senate. Before determining on' this measure, as if con- scious of the mischief it was pregnant with, they employed every effort that genius, courage, and despair, could prompt to oppose forces so superior to their own. Prior to this unfortunate period they had constantly repelled the irruptions of the Barbarians, maintained the safety of their colo-. rOUNDATION OF MARSEILLES. 199 nial towns, and asserted their independence in de- fiance of the efforts of their enemies. But the distance which separated them from the mother colony incapacitated them from assisting, as they desired, these proud bulwarks of their prosperity, and the apprehension of being attacked at home prevented them from dispersing their troops, and urged them to seek the alliance of the Romans. The senate, in reply to the ambassadors of Mar- seilles, engaged to send deputies to negotiate a reconciliation. Flaminius, one of the principal negotiators, had no sooner disembarked at the town appointed for the rendezvous, than the inha- bitants, with menacing imprecations, required his immediate departure. He did not think proper to conform to their desires, and, so much was the popular spirit exasperated, that a skirmish ensued, in which he was grievously wounded. He then judged it eligible to re-embark without delay. This atrocious insult made so profound an impres- sion at Rome, that the senate resolved to direct their arms against the Alps ; and from this epoch may be dated the commencement of the conquest 200 FOUNDATION OF MARSEILLES. of the Gauls. The consul, Quintus Opimius, was now dispatched with an army sufficient to cope with the barbarians. On his arrival at Flacentia, he continued his niarch along the Apennines, and reached the territories of the Oxybii and Deciatse, who had some time since laid siege to Nice and Antibes. He pitched his camp on the banks of the river Apros, and awaited the ap- proach of the enemy. Finding them make no dispositions to attack him, he conducted his army under the walls of the town, Y. R. 599, opposite the spot where the barbarians had so outraged the laws of nations in the persons of his col- leagues. The town was taken by assault, the inha- bitants were made prisoners, and the authors of the insult dispatched to Rome with chains on their hands and feet, to undergo the punishment due to their offence. No sooner had Opimius thus signalized his vengeance, than he marched his army against the united forces of the barbarians, and prepared for an immediate engagement. The Oxybii, unac- FOUNDATION OF MARSEILLES. 201 quainted with the valour and discipline of the Romans, endeavoured to obtain, by one act of te- merity and despair, advantages which superior numbers alone could realize. They attacked the Roman camp with four thousand men, without even waiting the arrival of the Deciatse. Opimius soon appreciated the exertions of such an enemy. He perceived they had courage without conduct, and force without judgment. His military knowledge convinced him how ignorant they were of ^11 system, and he apprehended little for the fame of the Roman legions in competition with such antagonists. He ranged his troops in battle array, placed himself at tTieir head, animated them by his example, and marched them in slow order against the barbarians. The undaunted composure of the Roman le- gions struck them with dismay. They were con- founded on the very first shock ; in a moment discomfited and pursued in every direction : the greatest part of their tumultuous hordes were left on the field of battle, and the survivors owed their safety to flight. 502 FOUNDATION OF MARSEILLES. The Deciatee in the mean time approached the enemy ; but perceiving that unsupported they were not in a situation to offer battle, they over- took the remnants of the Oxybian army, and, having rallied their scattered forces, led them to the charge. The action was maintained with desperate temerity on one side, and invincible resolution on the other, till the tactics of the Ro- mans prevailed ; and, so complete was the de- feat of their enemies, that they were obliged to abandon all hope of recovering their principal town. After this event the Marseillois and theNissards demonstrated every token of joy, and delivered from all immediate fear of the barbarians, they were re-instated in the territory which the Ro- mans had conquered. Opimius, crowned with glory, obliged the enemy to send hostages to Marseilles as sureties for their conduct : he disarmed their forces, and quartered his troops in their towns during winter. The reflections which the consideration of these affair? naturally suggest to the reader must inform ■FOUNDATION OF MARSEILLES. 303 him, that the petty tyrants who inhabited the coasts of the Mediterranean, could offer but f^Be resistance to their ambitious enemies. The^%J£^^ soon broke out again, and other hordes of bar"^^ rians joined against the Romans, but always \skh the same result, and so Httle did they learn fmj^ their repeated combats with them, that the ens#. ing campaign, which at its commencement .^wit- nessed their recruited forces, and injudicious'^^- * ultation, before its close, witnessed their co: and final subjugation. The memorable defeat, however, of the ©x^i)ii and the ©eciatae, produced but a transitof^.^ji- pression on the roving inhabitants of these c^a^ % tries, and their tranquillity was but of shorfc^l&u- ration. Their natural propensity to war and rage, restrained for a time, burst forth with redd*!^. bled violence, and frequent irruptions, accom|N^ nied with pillage and barbarity, again spread ettir stern ati on through the same country. Such we^ the unfortunate occurrences which contributed to lull the ^larseillois into a fatal security concerning the presence of the Roman legions, and the-h^v «^ SQ4 FOUNDATION OF MARSEILLES. mediate necessity of their services easily induced them to turn their eyes from the possibility of remoter danger. Reciprocal advantages formed the basis of each treaty, but the profound pohcy of the Roman senate anticipated from this measure far more ^im- portant results. The Marseillois had no alterna- tive; this was the only means of redeeming their colonies, and of chasing the enemy back to their wild uncultivated countries. But unfortunately nothing could more efTectually pave the way for the Roman despotism, and the ultimate subjuga- tion of them all. The Romans were too vigilant not to see the advantages such an expedition offered, and far too ambitious not to profit by them to their utmost extent. They had long sought so favourable a pretext for passing the Alps, and carrying their arms on the GalUc terri'- tory. This difficulty once overcome, every thing appeared easy to them ; they already planted co- lonies ; they already nominated prefects to go- vern them. We may easily conceive, that the profound FOUNDATION OF MARSEILLES. ^05 policy of the Romans readily took advantage of the disastrous position of their allies. New troops were expedited, and M. Fulvius Flaccus, a most experienced captain, appointed to the command. They had two objects, the first, to assist the Mar- seillois, the next, to subdue the undisciplined valour of the Ligurians, who were the people whom the Romans had principally to contend with, and to comprehend these sequestered coun- tries within the hmits of their own jurisdiction. The Romans, in short, gained all they desired ; they established the glory of their arms in the territory of the enemy, and after gaining repeated victories, established, as a monument of their glory, in the country of the Salri, the now celebrated town of Aix. Y. R. 630. It was termed from Sextius Calvinus, the name of its founder, and from the waters for which it is famous, Aquae Sexti2e, or waters of Sextius. '' Victa Salyoram gente, Coloniam aquas Sextias coiididit." It was the first Roman colony established in Transalpine Gaul. The undisciplined p^^arriors of Gaul offered. 206 FOUNDATION OF MARSEILLE^; ho\%ever, a more difficult conquest thaii the Roman pride had imagined. Accustomed to savage independence, and spurning all restraint, the bravest troops in the universe could not inti- midate th^in. Cruel and impetuous, dreading slavery, but despising death, they were ever eager to break the chains that were forged for them, arid embrajced every opportunity to expiate in the blood of their oppressors, the outrages offered to their hberty. They maintained with equal obsti- nacy and courage, the unequal contests till the days of Fabius Maximus. In a great and decisive engagement between the Isere and the Rhone, B. C; 120, no efforts could withstand the tactics and resolution of this general's army. The environs of the town of Orange were the scene of this ^c- tory, and he celebrated the defeat by a triumphal entry, equally remarkable for the pomp with which it was solemnized, and the prodigious slaughter which occasioned it. I'he carnage was almost universal. The few that survived, signalized their last moments by an act characteristic at once of their passion for liberty and contempt of death. FOUNDATION OF NICE. ^07 Finding all resistance impracticable, and no hope remaining, they led their wives and children to the field of battle, and slaughtered both them and themselves in the presence of the Romans, sooner than live under the yoke of slavery, and weep over the ruins of their country. The Allobroges, the nation of which we have just spoken, with the other provincial tribes, were soon after entirely subjugated by the Ro- mans. After a few unavailing efforts, they be- held their country swelling the list of Roman conquests, and the inhabitants reduced to patience and obedience. SECTION XVII. FOUNDATION OF NICE, S40 YEARS B. C. The repeated successes the Greeks obtained over the inhabitants of the territory of Nice and the Maritime Alps, first induced them to establish a colony in the midst of the hordes of barbarians on the farther side of the Var, and thereby erect. SOS FOUNDATION OF NICE. a proud and living trophy of tlie advantages their arms had acquired in the country of the Vediantii. More than 259 years had elapsed, since the resi- dence of these adventurers in Gaul, during which period they had been engaged in perpetual wars with the Ligurians. The heights of the moun^ tains, and the recesses of the forests to which these barbarians retreated, rendered any attack impracticable, and facilitated the irruptions with which they oftentimes desolated the country. A delightful territory, and the desire of vengeance, tempted the Grecians to project the conquest of this country, and they had all the success they desired. Strabo acquaints us, that when the Marseillois had acquired a certain force, they made different excursions in the adjacent country, and delighted with the picturesque territory, and luxuriant soil which border the eastern banks of the Var, they resolved on its immediate subjugation. They ac- cordingly built the town of Nice, as a barrier to re- sist the opposition of the Ligurians, on a position exceedingly strong, and it served at the same time HISTORY OF NICE, 209 as a monument of the signal victory they had gained over the barbarians;. Leander Albertus attributes the origin of Nice to Nicius Laertes Duke of Etruria, and instead of the word Nicea, substitutes Nicia ; but Cluve- rius, with more probability, has restored to the MarSeillois the foundation of the town, and corroborates his opinion with the authorities of Pliny, Ptolemy, and many other geographers. They who imagine Nice was built on the ruins of Cimiez, have to combat the weighty tes- timony of Sigoiiius, who assures us, that this last town, of which some vestiges remain, existed until the invasion of Gaul, by the Lombards, and that Nice was reputed the second considerable town in Italy in the days of Ptolemy. It is easy to verify the opinions of this last author, by examining his book of geography, where Nice is placed immediately after Rome, and before Tarracina, Naples, &c. One may conjecture, that he has blended Nice and Cimiez together, Qs they were situated so near each other. The towns are ranked in the following order: 510 HISTORY OF NICE. Roma — Regia. Ravenna. Nicyea — Massiliensium. Aquileia. Tarracina. Beneventiis. Neapolis. Capua. Brunei usium. Valeria. A neon. Mariana. ' We have likewise treated in the preceding chapter of the colonies of Marseilles, on the au- thority of Polybius, who affirms this circumstance unequivocally. Ptolemy, perhaps, has confound- ed the cities of Nice and Cimiez in consequence of their proximity, but should we choose to dis- cuss this question, we ought not to forget that their names were distinct, though sometimes under the jurisdiction of one, and the same bishop. The letter of Pope St. Hilarius, to Leontius, Vera- nus and Victorius, incontestably decide this fact, ^swell as the signature attached to the acts of certain assemblies, where the same bishop iadopts the two titles. The letter written by St. Hilarius, conformably to the desire of his predeces- sor, proves the assertion. Vincentius Barralis sup- poses Nice was built on the ruins of Cimiez, and HISTORY OF NICE. 211 Jacobus is of opinion, that before the demoli- tion of the latter place, Nice was only a castle ; St. Hilarius likewise entertained the same belief: but Jofredi thinks, and not without reason, that Jacobus has misunderstood Pliny's application of the word oppidum. It was the undoubted cus- tom of the ancients, to give to the word oppidum the signification of town, nor is it astonishing that succeeding authoi^ should have used it in the same sense. St. Hilarius certainly called Nice a castle, but if, in fact, it was nothing more when Cimiez was a flourishing city, why have not the ancient historians, whose exactitude is unques- tionable, noticed it under that denomination ? It is much more rational to infer, that from the time of the prosperity of Cimiez, Nice dated her de- cline. Jofredi apprehends, that the Pope has fallen into the same error as Jacobus. Many per- sons, attracted by the^uperiority of Cimiez, pro- bably migrated from Nice, but one can by no means infer from this circumstance that this latter city was erected on the ruins of a contiguous capital No doubt, many learned historians p 2 212 HISTORY OF NICEk maintain theopposite opinion ; but there are others equally as numerous and respectable, who affirm, that Nice and Cimiez existed both at the same time, and corroborate their arguments with a quotation fromPtolemy,who declares expressly ,that Nice was situated much nearer the Mediterranean than Cimiez. The same author uses these very words in speaking of Cimiez: " Vediantiorum in Maritimis Alpibus Cemeneleon," and Pliny adds, " Ab amne Varo Nicaea oppidum a Massiliensibus conditum, Fluvius Pado, Alpes, Populique Inalpini multis nominibus sed maxim^ capillati oppido Vediantiorum Civitatis Cemeneleon." Nothing in my opinion can contribute more to the con- clusion we ought to form, than the text of this author. Can any thing prove more satisfactorily, more irrefragably, that it was a city and not a cas- tle? Some difficulty has likewise presented itself on the derivation of the name of the town, for in ages so remote, almost every thing is tinctuited with the marvellous. Many persons believed that the votaries of Bac- chus called the town Nice, from a neighbouring HISTORY OF NICE. 213 mountain, dedicated to the god, which bore the same appellation. They attributed likewise to the town of Cemelle, or Simelle, a similar derivation. They traced it from Semele, the mother of this divinity. Several places in the neighbourhood of Nice were unquestionably distinguished by Grecian names. The adjacent mountains had their Pelion and Ossa : the plains their Olympia, &c. Nicaea, Nicea, Nica, Nicia, Nic^a, Grascis, mx dicitur, Ptolemeo, Straboni, Plineo, Catoni, Sem- pronio, Pomponio Melas, nee non Livii, Stephani-- que breviatoribus. Cluverius remarks, " Nomen baud dubi^ sortitaest Nicaea a rei eventu, id est a vincendo, scilicet cum Massilienses, devictis, ejectisque Liguribus ea httora obtinuissent.'^ Other authors also confirm the preceding quo- tations. This explanation of the word appears the most appropriate and correct; in fine, to avoid all uninteresting unnecessary speculations on this subject, I shall content myself with observing, that the word vt^^, signifying Victoria, was applied to the town, as the only expression conformable to the word victory, in allusion to the triumph of 214 HISTORY OF NICE. the Grecians over the barbarians. The greatest attention must be paid in detailing the history of Nice, not to confound the revolutions peculiar to this town, which took place in the remotest ages with those of other towns that bear the same name. The difficulty of acquiring accurate in- formation concerning ancient history, renders this line more arduous to observe, while the historian of modern times scarcely meets any embarrassment from the same cause. The discordant relation of cotemporary authors, often throws a veil of in- certitude and suspicion on the facts they explain. Without great attention, the variety of towns called Nice, will confound the person who endea- vours to delineate the situation, and principal events, pecuHar toany of them. There were several of this name in Asia, and Jofredi in his Nicaea Civitas thus expresses himself: " Numero octo sunt, quas prseteream, qua de agimus, in Asia seu Bithynia apud Locros, lllyrios, Indos, Thraces, Boeotios, Corsos passim recenscnt geographi.'^ But of all these towns, there is not in our days any excepting Nice, situated on the banks of HISTORY OF NICE. 215 the river Paglion, which enjoys a great reputa- tion. The territory of Nice, bounded by the Var on the west, is remarkable for having formed the hne of demarcation between France and Ital}^ : though we learn that Antibes, which was situated in France, was adjoined by a resolution of the se- nate of Marseilles to the prefecture of Italy, and Nice to that of Marseilles. Nice in succeeding ages became the capital ofa province, which bears a similar name, and formed one part of the states of His Highness the Count of Savoy. It then comprised eighteen leagues in length, and thirteen in breadth : situated between the Marquisate of Saluces, Piedmont, the Mediterranean Sea, and Provence ; it was bounded by the first of these countries on the north, by the sea on the south, and by Piedmont on the east. The territory is bathed by seven rivers. The Var, vrhich claims the first rank, the Tinea, the Yesubia, the Esteron, the Paglion, the Roia, and the Bevera. I subscribe perfectly to the opinion of Andrew Thevetj who said, that he knew no site so conge^ 216 HISTORY OF NICE. nial for the foundation of a town, as that on which Nice is erected. He descants with enthusiasm on its natural advantages, and its superiority to all those he liad seen. The Romans themselves were so alive to its attractions, that they visited it as a refuge from business, and a relaxation fronfi more important concerns. Nice, protected by the metropolis, for more than a hundred and ten years, courageously repelled the united efforts of the barbarians. The latter Tiewed with increasing jealousy the force and consideration this city obtained. Indeed, the whole community seemed to be animated with the desire of perfecting their commerce, policy, and agriculture. The religious and social customs of the Greeks were the model of universal imitation. Diana of Ephesus was wor- shipped with all the ceremonies observed in the parent colony. Their government and civil laws were the same, though in arts, literature, and science, Marseilles enjoyed the undoubted as- cendancy, Nice, ftom its vicinity to the sea, fgrnished ^ HISTORV OF NICE. 217 pumber of vessels peculiarly appropriated to fish- ing ; but united with Marseilles, she had little need of maritime force. That city was sufficiently powerful, and there were few apprehensions en- tertained from the sea. When Nice was totally out of danger, her peaceable and laborious qitizens beheld the adja- cent countries fertilized by their industry, and re- compensing their cares. All the plains which the Paglion waters on the east, and the Var on the west, assumed the cheerful aspect of successful cultivation. Even the triumph of the Roman arms introduced but little innovation among them ; they were for a time governed by their own laws and customs, though they acknowledged the supremacy of the parent city ; and indeed the recollection of the past inspired them with gratitude for those to whom th^y owed their present security. Still, however, the Romans assiduously pursu- ed the means of their aggrandisement from the moment the siege of Nice and Antibes furnished ^ pretext for introducing their arms in Gaul. ^IB HISTORY OFKICE. The towns they had rescued from the barbarians were the first to submit to the yoke, and to pre- pare the universal conquest of the country. The Cimbri and Teu tones, now powerful ene- mies of the court of Rome, after numerous successes, had determined to march their hordes into the heart of Italy. They demanded of the Romans a grant of lands, and proposed, as an indemnity, employing their arms in their service : the refusal of the senate fired them with indignation, and they attacked and routed, in the first moments of fury, a considerable portion of the army of the Consul Silanus. This catastrophe, which filled Rome with consternation, was attri- buted to the obstinacy of the Romans,who refused to retreat. Marins, who had been again named Consul, was now re-instated in the command of the army. He instantly passed the Alps, and, en- camping himself on the banks of the Rhone await- ed the return of the Ambrones from Spain. Their tumultuous hordes soon filled the neighbouring plains, but the consul thought proper to suffer them to pass uninterruptedly, and to follow them to HISTORY OF NICE. 219 the banks of the Arc,where they pitched their camp. The Romans had long suffered from thirst, and evinced a strong desire to come into action. Marius placed his army on the heights of a con- tiguous hill, in sight of the river defended by their enemies, in order to infuse in it more fury in the moment of attack. The barbarians began the engagement by striking their shields v^rith their sabres ; the Ligurians and Provencaux did so likewise, and, with the aid of the Roman legions, succeeded in routing the enemy. The Cimbri, Teutones,and Ambrones, made a long and desperate resistance ; but the bravery and skill of the Roman generals, w^ho took advantage of every error, and offered none to their foes, gained a victory as honourable to themselves as to every part of the army.* Marius acknowledged in his letters to Rome, that he owed the advantages he had gained in great part to his Provencal auxiliaries. The 48th year B. C. was a melancholy epoch * ** Nos prlmi Senonum motus, Cimbrumque riirntem, Vidimus, et Martera Libyes, cursumque furoris T^ntonici." 2^0 HISTORY OF NICE. for the Marseillois and the Nissards. It was then they found all resistance ineffectual, and the asylum of liberty subjugated by the Roman eagle. These unconquered, flourishing, independent peo- ple5despoiled of all their trophies, were now obliged to bow before Rome, and submit to the limited in- dulgences Rome yet granted them. Even those, the Marseillois were on the point of losing through an act of despair; but had they displayed as much prudence during the siege of the town as their policy had been admirable before it, though they might not have avoided the yoke, at least they would have escaped the rigors of slavery. The prudence of the Marseillois at the beginning ofthe civil war between Caesar and Pompey was consistent with the wisdom of the senate ; but the political horizon, pregnant at that period with great events, among which was the fate of this republic, obliged them to declare for one of the disputants. To remain neuter was more danger- ous than an open avowal. Afraid of both, and obliged to both, it was difficult to know what Pleasures to adopt the most compatible with iiistoRY OF Nicie. ^i I their safety. The Nissards never sided with either party, but the Marseillois, in defiance of their determination to remain neuter, at length de- clared in favour of Pompey. They were under almost equal obligations to the rival competitors ; Caesar had improved their finances and reduced their impositions, Pompey had extended their ter- ritory with various establishments in Languedoc- Brutus, who had been dispatched to Marseilles by Catsar, attacked the town, and, though in-^ ferior in force, engaged the enemy's fleet in the port, sunk and destroyed a considerable number, and obliged the rest to make a precipitate retreat. The Marseillois, after this defeat, soon repaired their fleet, and joined the squadron of Nasidius, which Pompey had ordered to hasten to their succour. The siege of the town was then undertaken and sustained with incredible intrepidity; but the inhabitants, perceiving one of their towers de- stroyed, and fearful of the prodigious efforts of the enemy, opened the gates, and implored the compas- sion of the generals and the army. They entreat- ed them to delay their operations until the arrival ^29 HISTOilY OF KicS:. of Csesar, and to save the town from pillage and flame. They accorded their demand, but an act of perfidy soon after awakened their just resent- ment. They set fire to [the machines : destroy- ed some of the Roman outworks, and Csesar then obliged them to deliver their vessels, money, and arms, to his generals, and to receive two Roman legions in garrison in the town. The proceedings of the Marseillois coincided little w^ith the discourse they held forth to Caesar. In their harangue to him, they entreated him t let them remain neuter in the war which then prevailed. '^Dont stop,^^ said they, «' to con- quer us, when it is of such importance to you to pass into Spain. It will be little glorious to you to subdue us; we shall add nothing to your triumph. Our countrymen, who have abandoned their ancient territory, thirst not aftervictory, and though we have transported from Ionia, to these foreign climes, the greater part of our forces, our good faith alone constitutes our safety and our glory/* After this conquest, each city w^as governed by the Roman laws, public games were insti- HISTORY OF NICE. 223 tilted, and managers appointed to superintend them. The town of Cimiez was peopled in the first Christian aera Avith Romans, as well as natives. Nice, wdiich had always been subjected to the dominion of IMarseilles during the reiga of Tiberius, was separated from it. At this epoch, not only Provence but the whole of Gaul became the prey of Roman ambition. If the reputation of Nice had eclipsed many towns of Italy during the earliest ages, yet her ancient consideration and splendor insensibly diminished, as soon as the Romans had acquired the territory and towns of Gaul. Cimiez surpassed her so far, that while she sank to the degree of a secondary city, all the efforts of the conquerors were employed to augment the prosperity of the other. The revo- lutions of Rome and Provence produced still more serious effects on this flourishing city, for having attained celebrity, she decayed from an excess of prosperity, and in a little time owed all her consideration to her port, castlej and the memory of her former importance. ^^i HISTORY of ISlCtir SECTION XVIII. CIMIEZ, FORMERLY THE CAPITAL OF THE VEDIANTIL I SHALL not transgress the bounds I had pre- scribed myself in tracing the history of Nice, irt annexing some details on Cimiez, an ancient and Celebrated cit}^, connected with it by its vicinity^ and a train of events common to both. Cimiez, in the days of its prosperity, was certainly as largei as Nice. Situated on an agreeable eminence! opposite to Mount Alban, the suburbs of Nice, extending from the high road to Piedmont, con- tinued its boundary, and the river Paglion sepa-- rated them from each other. Some persons have conjectured that the name of this town was de- rived from Cemeno Monte. But Pliny, Ptolemy, and Antoninus, have not satisfied us on this point. Jofredi supposes this name is composed of Cemen-Uion, id est inter Cemenes Montesj Ilion.* * Sicuti enim i^neas ex Asia aufugit j ** Ilium in Italiam portans, victosque Penates." <* Sic Tones Phoceei Trojae Asiaticoe monumentum aliquod in novx Urbis nomine fortasso servarunt." inSTORY OF NICE. S25 &ut without farther delay on this discussion, 1 shall simply observe that when the Romans conquered the country, the word Cemeneleon was contracted into Ciniela : Cemehon, Cemelium, Cemelam, and Cimellam, were also all primitives of Cimiez, and this accords with the statement of Phihppus Ferrarius. It affords a melancholy example of the insta» bility of worldly grandeur, that this town, one of the capitals of the Maritime Alps, and once so renowned in Italy, should now possess only vesti- ges of its ancient celebrity. ^^ Agnosci nequeunt sevi monumenta prions, Grandia consiimpsit mcenia tempus edax i Sola manent intercpsetis vestigia inuris, Ruderibus latis tecta sepulta jacent." We collect from the works of Sidonius Apolli- naris, that the demolition of Cimiez did not take place before the irruption of tlie Lombards into this country. It must have enjoyed high Con- sideration from being an archbishops see, the abode of a Roman prefect, and the capital town of this part of the Maritime Alps. It was embel- f26 HISTORY OF KICE. lished vrith monuments, public inscriptions, colleges, &c. and Cassiodorus informs us that the Roman prefects had planted their standards, and established the prerogatives and public amuse- ments of the inhabitants on the same footing, as in the other Roman provinces. "Jus figendi clavi, gladii gestandi, infalarum, praetextae, p.ur- purese, annuli aurei, vasorum, equorum, vehi- culorum, apparitorum, scipionis eburnei, selte curulis, et sifnilium," were customs adopted every where. The Romans, guided by the plainest principles of polic}^ gave every encouragement to the improvement and celebrity of the town, and accorded to all those who were wiHing to establish themselves the same privileges that the most favoured citizens of Italy enjoyed. Tiiere were three distinctions of people at Cimiez, as weilafj in all the Roman cities. They were entitled, as at Rome, Nobiles, Equites, and l*lebs4 many respectable families resided at Ci- miez, amongst the rest the Servilii, the Valerii, the Veri, the Manilii, the Gabinii, the Cassii, &c. Though the ravages of the barbarians have iirSTORV OF NicSt S27 almost annihilated the public nioniimehts, the noble eclifices, and the code of prefectorial laws vigorously observed in this city, yet their very existence can leave no doubt of its pohtical im- portance. The authority of the commandantj in the time of the Roman emperors, extended on one side from Genoa to Digne, on the other> from Yence to the summit of the Alps. Nor can it be considered as surprising, that after the various calamities Cimiez has sustained, the reiterated incursions of the Saracens and the Lombards, such few vestiges of antiquity remain* We may observe of Cimiez as Ovid has of Troy^ '^ Hie locus est ubi Troia fuit," Nunc seges est ubi Troia fuit. Notwithstanding, however, these commotions^ . which have so much dilapidated the monuments of antiquity, and razed so many marks of human industry, yet there are still Som-e trophies extant, directed to the memory of illustrious men, which awaken the most interesting ideas. Among other inscriptions which have beep discovered ^e the fallowing: Q % 228 HISTORY OP NI€E, P. Seciindo. Severino. M. F» Equiti, publico. IIII. viro. Curator! . Cemenelensium. 2. Aliment. L. D. Deer, Decc C. Albino. C. F. Faler. 2. II. Viro. Et. Curatorl. Kalend. Pecuniae, Cemenelensium. L. D. Deer. Deee. Cemen> C. J. Valenti. J. F. Viro. Civit. Salin. Alpium. Maritimarum, Patrono Optimo. Tabernarii. Cemenel, Flavic^. Verini. Fil. Qu. estori.' Albino. Decurioni. IL viro.— Sa Lin. Civitat. 11. viro. — For. Ojuliens. Flamini. Provin. — eiae. Alpium. Maritimarum. Optimo* Patrono. Tabernar. Salinien.— Posuerunt. Curantibus. Matu.-— — Nsueto et. — Albuci. — Jmp.Commodo. III. Et* Antistio*- Burro Coss, HISTGRY OF NICE. '^9 P, Aelio. Severino. V. E. F. Praesidi. Optimo." Ordo. Cemdi. Patrono. In 17S7 a German traveller, who had permis- sion to explore the territory of Cimiez, found two small statues in bronze, two feet and a half high, and one of marble nearly of the same size : two years afterwards a Polish princess was still more successful in her researches. She ordered different gardens to be dug up, and the following antiquities were then discovered. An ancient ring and key of gold; a figure representing Jupiter; upwards of an hundred medals of differ- ent emperors; several mosaic pieces, and the remains of a large aqueduct that conveyed water to Cimiez. The terrace at the south end of the gardens, extends to the summit of the hill of Cimiez, behind which a part of the town formerly stood. The ruins of some of the houses are still to be seen, and near them the remains of a temple or 530 HISTORY OF* NICE. some otbei* public monument, and the^ walls of an amphitheatre, where it is said Saint Pontics suffered martyrdom in the reign of Valerian. The road at Cimiez passes over the cells where the animals were kept : and the area, which is of small extent, is now covered with olive trees.* A little beyond the town is a convent. It formerly belonged to the Recollets, an order of Franciscan Monks. The veneration which the Christians felt for the relics of St. Pontius, whom they considered one of the most undaunted champions of Christianity, was so great, that when the Lombards were sack- ing the town of Cimiez, the place of his interment, they transported them with the utmost precaution to Nice. In the reign of Charlemagne a monas- tery was raised to his memory in this town, and In the 1 0th century, the inhabitants of Tomieres, in the province of Languedoc, procured half of the precious deposit to be removed to their town. * '* Clauditur ip teretem longis anfractibus orberp, Complectens geminas aequo discrimlne metas, Btspacium mediae, quilse via tendit areaye/* HISTORY OF NICE. 231 When Cimiez wa^ tbe capital of the Vediantii, like all other barbarian crties, it was onlyr-attrac- tive from its situation. It was no till the Ro- man conquests, and the ligiit of civilization had, overcome the ignorance of the age, that this city contained edifices worthy of her grandeur, and improvements vvortby of her conquerors. The ruins of trophies, aqtieducts, triumphal arches, and public monuments, are proud testimonies of the enlightened policy and gigantic resources of the victors, while their present condition must necessarily awaken melancholy reflections on the fragihty of human labours, and on the inevitable ravages which time makes on the architect, a« well as on his works. ** Miremur periisse homines, monumenta fatiscunt. Mors etiam saxiij nomiiiibusque venit/' What a contrast, on viewing at present luxuriant corn fields which once were the scene of 'patriot effort and heroic virtue! on beholding fertile or- chards, where the sacrilegious hand of barbarism spread desolation and horror, or in contcmplatisg 33^ rilSTORY Of NICE* Leaps of ruin, where once majestically arose the noblest ornaments of human industry ! What a difference between the triumph of arms, and the cheerful aspect of a thriving population ! Who ^ can wander over the smiling plains of Cimiez, or the banks of the Paglion, and not be profoundly agitated in meditating on the fatal contention of kingSj the ambitious thirst of mihtary renown, and the successive scenes of famine, triumph, despair, and wretchedness, which in their turns have signalized these countries ! As soon might one contemplate ancient Rome on the banks of the Tiber, and be unmoved at the recollection of what she was, and what she is. SECTION XIX. VICISSITUDES OF NICE. No doubt can exist, I apprehend, after all the tttithorities I have cited, that Nice derived its origin from tlic Marseillois: that it was originally HISTORY OF NICE. 933 a town, and not a castle; that it existed at the Same epoch with Cimiez, and consequently could not be built on its ruins as some authors have imagined. Coeval with so celebrated a city, it certainly declined in reputation, as the other, en- dowed with multiphed resources and a pvefecto- rial residence, extended its renown. To these unanswerable reflections, we must annex the ahenation of the Marseillois government, and the disuse of their laws. When the Roman armies freely passed the Alps, the prosperity of the great nation augmented every day. Masters of Italy, Lombardy, Sicily, Sardinia, Corsica, Spain, Asia, ^Etolia, Macedon, Greece, Africa, and Egypt ; they yet aspired to conquer Gaul, and reduce all Europe to their subjection. The arts, sciences, and literature, were rapidly advancing to perfection, and when the Romans had subdued Provence, their domi- nion was equally as decided over learning and civihzation. Besides the lyre of the muses, Italy boasted the altar of liberty, and the generous blood ©f her citizens had often been shed in its defence. 534 HISTORY OF NICE, The arts, neglected in Greece, revived with new force among the Romans, and for a time the banks of HesperiascaKcely yielded to the immortal city of Minerva. Provence insensibly changing her form of go- vernment, all the Roman customs were introduced, and the whoje of this country, after the capture of Marseilles, yielded to the power of the emperors, and proved of great utihty in the subsequent con- quests of Gaul. The prosperity of Marseilles was then no longer interwoven with that of Nice. She had hitherto been a part of an independent empire, which de- rived much benefit from her friendship ; but Rome was now her mistress, and new interests were to be consulted. From the proximity of Nice to the sea, her maritime resources were to a certain degree^ important for a conqueror, but the ambition of Rome was to form grand and imposing alliances. Nice was unquestionably of utility to Rome in the conquest of Provence, though Rome afforded her little reciprocal advantage. She lost, on the contrary, all her commerce with Africa, through HISTORY OF NICE. 955 the channel of Marseilles, and was very much op- pressed by the frequent expeditions of the Ro- mans into Gaul, during the civil war betweea Otho and Vitellius. ^ After these vicissitudes, the Goths, the Bur- gundiansj the Visigoths, all overcame it with the intention of destroying it, and pursued its demoli-. tion with a cruelty peculiar to barbarians. The Jrench, whose monarchy was first established on a solid basis during the reign of Clovis, now claimed it with eagerness, and obtained it by conquest and right of arms. Victim of the Lom- bards and Saracens, they ruined its resources and plundered its habitations. The Kings and Counts of Aries re-united this town to the territory of Trovence, which soon after was subjected to the Princes of Arragon, the house of Anjou,the Kings of Naples, then the house of Savoy, and finally belonged altogether to the crown of France, Nothing can appear more natural than the re- solution of the inhabitants of Provence, to deliver themselves from the tyrannical yoke of the Roman government, which from the sanguinary reign of ^36 HISTORY OF l^riCE. Tiberius bore the seeds of its own dissolution. They had remained faithful to Rome as long as she preserved her conquests, and maintained her laws. It was the relaxation of the laws, the pusillanimity of the emperors, and the frightful progress of vice, which fomented the different factions. In the reign of Honorius the volcano burst, and was ever after inextinguishable. The Goths, a formidable nation, had already made in the time of Tiberius and his successor, various incursions in Italy, with those advantages which savage and intrepid fero- city may naturally expect to obtain over a dege- nerate and corrupted people. Nice, always obedient to her successive sove- reigns, was important in proportion to her inter- ference in their different contentions. Discon- tented however with her governors, and attached to her ancient liberty, she eventually found the means of emancipating herself, and blending her interests with those of the neighbouring repubhcs. Shecultivated with incredible solicitude the friend- ship of Pisa and Genoa, who were far from being adverse to her advances. But the days pf her HISTORY OF NICE. 237 greatest prosperity were at the time of her union with the house of Savoy, to which power she con- tinued faithful until the last war of the King of Sardinia with France. Nice, once the prey of barbarians, then exposed to the devastation and pillage of the perpetual inroads of the military into Gaul, sometimes in peace, but oftener obliged to seek safety in com- bat, presented a melancholy monument of those barbarous and unenlightened ages. But in defi- ance of these calamities, we shall observe the rising ameliorations of an industrious well dis- posed community, we shall witness all classes of society devoting themselves to civil or military pursuits, and the polish of civilization succeeding the ferocity of savage independence. They suc- ceeded in associating arts, agriculture, and com- merce, with other perfections ; in a word, they equalled all Provence in improvement. ^SB lil STORY OP ^\Cti SECTION XX. Irruption of the goths, burgundians, ani5 franks, into the territory of nice. It is difficult to determine the exact period when Nice was pillaged by the Goths. Hoi\'ever, the Gothic historians, whose testimonies 1 confide in, unite in affirming, that their first irruption into the Roman territories toot place in the reign of Tiberius, or perhaps yet earlier. It appears how- ever indubitable, that prior to this, Thrace and- Moesia, were victims of their depredations. The first invasion of the country and towns contiguous to Nice, according to these writers, was made by Goths and Vandals through Piedmont, where, as soon as they arrived, they sacked Grasse and An* tibes, towns contiguous to Nice, and their domi* nion extended with their success. The Vandals at the same time ravaged the provinces of Spain and Gaul, pushed their conquests through Pro- vence as far as the Maritime Alps, and entered into Italy on a part already subdued by the Goths* Historians suppofe that Cimiez was plundered History of nice. ^3§ and demolished by the barbarians between the fourth and fifth centuries. It is probable that Nice met with k similar fate at the same epoch. The system of barbarian war was slaughter and demolition ; no town escaped where the plunder was iaadequate to their cupidity, nor was that in all cases a sufficient safeguard. At the time that Italy fell into the power of the Goths, and the Alps were no Longer a position of importance, we may be assured that the towns situated on the otiher side of the Var were the victims of their success. When Provence was no lonsrer under the Tm- perial yoke, and the Goths, inhabitants of the country, it w^as not less exposed to the inroads of the Vandals, and various other tyrannical usurpers. These barbarians now maintaining their holds in the Alps, had nothing to hinder their descending at pleasure on the plains of Nice. They could at all times invade the country, near the sea, and the banks of the Var, and ever find a safe retreat in their mountainous habitations. Nice, also, from 'ihe G?ithic, passed under the Ostrogothic, sway. 240 HISTORY 0^ NICE. The conquests of Theodoric, king of the Ostro» goths, leaving him master of the country which belonged to the Visigoths, the unfortunate in- habitants of Provence were obliged to submit to the supremacy of another sovereign. This change was, however, desirable, as they might expect imuch good from the high qualities and modera* tion of Theodoric. So delightful a part of Europe, no doubt, aU lured by its attractions every barbarian tribe to endeavour to overcome, if not the whole, at least a part of it for themselves. The Goths, who had formed themselves a kingdom in the territory of the Gauls, found it necessary to live as peaceably as possible, in order to preserve what they had obtained, and form those political con- nections which were essential to their security* In the natural course of things, the Roman em* pire, after making many perilous sacrifices, ought now to enjoy the sweets of peace; but, alas! it$ misfortunes were but begun, and it seems that the days of its decline were the signal to ambi- tious and enterprising barbarity to destroy or sub% HISTORY OF NI<*E. 241 due it. Provence and Italy were, at this epoch, the nests of innumerable adventurers, whose first desire was to plunder, and then to occupy them. The Burgundians, who had great pos- sessions in Gaul as well as the Goths, were an uncivihzed race, whose depredations yielded in no respect to those we have already related. This warlike and cruel horde, abandoning their native country, sprrad themselves over the banks of the Rhine, in the hopes of ame- liorating their condition. Innumerable difficul- ties opposed their first establishment, for being in perpetual hostility with the Romans, they were often compelled to retreat, and seek in their own country, or north e^-n situations, a less precarious abode. Their incursions along the banks of the Rhine took place about the second or third cen- tury, and by degrees they imperceptibly en- croached on Dauphiny, Savoy, Provence, &c. The' Vandals, said to be ancestors of the Bur- gundians, encountered likewise various ob- stacles in determining their residence. Dur- hig the Roman supremacy all parties were R 24*3 HISTORY OF NlCEv held ill equal subjection, but as soon as that in- fluence diminished, and the en>perors deigned to court the aUiance of these barbarians, the Bur- gundians elected a king, who led them to con- quest and glory. Under ^his guidance they subjugated succes- sively Lyons, Dauphiny, Languedoc, Marseilles^ Aries, the greatest portion of Provence, Nice, and the adjacent territories, as far as the Alps ; the last unfortunate town fell so immediately under the oppression of the conquerors, that the traces of their ferocity are still visible, and the name commemorates the event. But the Burgundians, still more victorious under Gondebaud, added to their vast domi- nions a part of Helvetia, so fortified and strong that Thcodoric himself, king of the Os- trogoths, was not without apprehension. But the critical position of these two princes with respect to the French monarch, whose courage and wisdom spread terror amongst other so- vereigns, induced them to form an alliance. Gondebaud viewed with distrust the proximity 1 HISTORY OF NICE. 243 of the Franks, although at the commencement of his reign he entertained little fear for the safety of the further side of the Alps. From all these circumstances it appears that the Burgundians, like the other powerful nations^ Overran Provence and the fertile plains of the Var, the Maritime Alps, as far as Daupliiny and Savoy, so that there can be no doubt but Nice was often a victim of their incursions, and ex- posed to the devastations and power of the con- querors. What other object could the civilized nations seek but their personal and territorial safety ia these ages of darkness and barbarity ? At this epoch an indefatigable pursuit of gain me- naced and destroyed the sciences. War, fa- mine, assassination, and the revolution of governments, were the unfortunate substitutes of that amelioration and humanity which had pre- viously existed at Marseilles. Anarchy and ambition armed brother against brother, father against son. Force was the only law, and man was conducted, by obeying these passions, to R 2 244 HISTORY OF NICE. the most ferocious and unheard of excesses. Such was the reign of the Burgundians ir.\ these dehghtful countries ! Such the deplora- ble condition of the inhabitants!' The Burgundians, however, routed in their turn, yielded to the victorious Clovis. Gonde- baud had been defeated, and became tributary to* him. Theodoric thought it prudent to assume an appearance of friendship, although he secretly countenanced his enemies : and Alaric, who had been put in possession of Provence by Euric, dreaded a rupture with so formidable a warrior. Alaric had sought to ruin the reputation of Clovis, but fearful of the consequences of war, dispatched ambassadors to persuade him of his wish to main- tain a good understanding. The message was graciously received, but each prince availing^ himself of the prejudices of their respective nations, and desire for war, to which may be added mutual jealousy, it w^as impossible to prevent the flame that had long been kindling from bursting forth. Its effects were dreadful to each qf the contending parties, but the fate HISTORY OF NICE. 215 of the Visigoths was determined in a battle near Poitiers. Alaric was a brave prince, and strove in the ensu- ing battle to rally his retreating troops, but being discovered by Clovis in the broken ranks, was dared to single combat. He accepted the challenge : the armies contemplated in awful anxiety the conflict of their leaders: each excited by his undaunted bravery the admiration of the soldiers, but Alaric, who was less robust than his adversary, yielded him the victory in the forfeit of his life. This event put the Franks ip possession ofnearly all the country of the Visigoths, but the Ostrogoths, who had now successfully engaged in war against Clovis, both with the view of checking his ambi- tion, and revenging the death of Alaric, obtained in 508 a transfer of a part of the kingdom of the Visigoths over to their sway. After the death of Clovis, his dominions were divided amongst his four sons. Thierri, to whom the kingdom of Metz devolved, sent his son Theo- debert in 534 to command an army in the south of France, with a view to overthrow the remaining^ 246 HISTORY OF NICE. power of the Visigoths and Ostrogoths. He did not accomplish his object to its full extent, but yet di- minished the strength and resources of the enemy. Soon after this, Amalasuntha, the daughter of Theodoric, was put to death, by the order of Theo- dotus, wdiom that princess had generously called to the throne, an event which induced the Emperor Justinian to make war against the Goths, in order, as it is said, to revenge her death. The emperor then wrote to the Franks, and per- suaded Theodebert to unite with him against the Goths ; but the Ostrogoths having deposed their prince, and called to the throne Vitigez, a man of great military knowledge, Theodebert was prevail- ed upon to change sides, renounce the emperor's interests, and join his forces to the Gothic chief. With the view to confirm their alliance with the Franks, and secure the strenuous support of this formidable nation, the Ostrogoths thought it advi- sable to make a sacrifice of the territories which the Goths possessed in Provence, so that we find this country, by the agreement of all parties, became finally annexed to the crown of France. HISTORY OF NICE. 247 Nice during these changes naturally underwent the same fate as the oiher towns of Provence, sub- mitting at one time to the Visigoths, at another to the Franks, to whom however she remained obe- dient, notwithstanding the incursions of the Lom- bards and Saracens. Thus we see the powerful kings of France augmenting with wonderful rapi- dity their dominions and their importance. Italy dreading them, Burgundy suffering from their persecution, and all circumstances contributing to extenuate the forces of their enemies, and to aug- ment their own. The misunderstandings which existed between the sons of Clotaire I. who inherited in 66\ the possessions of their father, created new and serious dissentions. The inhabitants of this country en- joyed but a few years of tranquilhty, after the conquest of Provence by the French. Besides the disputes of the French monarchs, other cala- mities menaced it. It became, however, an ob- ject of reciprocal advantage to them, to lay aside their own dissentions, and form a prudential alliance to oppose with energy a warlike and pe- 248 HISTORY OF NICE. rilous enemy, who had already ravaged Italy, and who prepared to penetrate into Gaul. SECTION XXL L BILLAGE OF NICE BY THE LOMBARDS. The barbarous tribes of the north who traversed Germany, signalized their rout by the ruin of the towns they passed through, demoHshing the habi- tations, and assassinating the people wherever they appeared. The Lombards pushed still farther the depredations of the Goths and Burgundjans, and rendered even the despotism of these latter de- sirable in comparison with their own. Illyria, Gaul, but especially Italy, were the scene of the greatest calamities. But, besides the Lombards, says^ Diaconius, the Winih, a people of Scandi- navia, who are descended from them, created every where a solitude around them. Their first competitors were the Vandals, over whom they gained every possible advantage, and wherever for- tune prospered their arms, desolation and slaughter tittended them. HISTORY OF NICE. ^19 The Lombards perceiving the ambitious in- tentions of the Vandals, determined on unit- ing with Narses,* who, at the time (559) was w^aging w^ar with Totila King of the Goths. This coahtion completely succeeded, and was also very advantageous for the Ro- mans, who found this nation of the greatest utility in their struggles against their enemies. The successes of Narses drew on him the hatred of Justin IL the successor, and nephew of Justinian, who hearing he aspired to the purple, at length dis* posed the court of Rome against him, which had been long jealous and apprehensive of his power. Some historians assign the irruption of the Lom- bards in Italy to the sohcitations of Narses to revenge himself on Justin, but that opinion is controverted by others. It is pretty certain, however, that Narses sent am- bassadors to the Lombards, to invite them to aban- don their wretched abode, and establish themselves * A Persian eunucji, first appointed to the command of the Roman army in conjunction with Bellsaiius, but after- wards made general in chief with absolute authority. ^50 HISTORY OF NICE. in llie flourishing territory of Italy. He accompani- ed the message with different productions of the country. The people, delighted with the prospect, eagerly embraced the offer, and transported themselves, their wives, and children, into Italy. Success in various eiiterprizes augmented the natural courage of the adventurers, and rendered •them more confident in the prowess of their arms. They sought every where to extend their boun- daries, and indeed, what can oppose a people who derive from their victories the uncontrouled right of plundering the vanquished, and who delight in the horrors of war? Notwithstanding the possessions the Lombards had in Italy, and the security they enjoyed in this delightful country, their dispositions to pillage still incited them to new expeditions. They de- termined on entering Gaul, and their resolution of destroying every -obstacle to their progress caused the famous prophecy of St. Hospiti us, which predicted the ruin of many towns of Provence. This pious father lived in a monastery at Nice, and revealed to the inhabitants the calamities with HISTOB.Y OF NICE. ^51 which Provence was menaced, announced to him by a revelation of the Holy Ghost. This celebrated Christian of blessed memory, whose abstinence was extreme, announced the arrival of the Lombards in Gaul. " They will ra- vage," he exclaimed," seven cities, because of their iniquity in the eyes of God ; their whole nation shall be the prey of carnage, of theft, of murder, without any vestige of justice : for they do not succour the stranger, nor support the poor, nor clpthe those who are naked, and these are the reasons that such calamities will overwhelm them." Convinced of the approach of these barbarians, "Fly,'^ cried he, to his friends, " f[y from this devoted spot, carry wath you all you possess, for their hordes advance ;" and they replied, '• O, Holy Father, we will not abandon you ;" but he answered, "though great calamities must befall me, yet they will not arise from them ; fear nothing for me, they will not even attempt at harming me." His colleagues by the advice of the Holy Fa- ther departed, and the Lombards, pillaging and destroying every place they passed, drew near. 552 HISTORY OF NICE. When they arrived at the tower where the saint had retired, they endeavoured to enter it with respect, but Hospitius appearing at a window, augmented their desire to seize him, and though some time elapsed before they could force the door which conducled to his apartment, two soldiers more hardy than the rest burst it open, and perceiving him covered with sackcloth, and girt with a cord, they exclaimed : " Hie male- factor est et homicidium fecit, ideo in his ligumi- nibus vinctus tenetur/^ Hospitius, accused of homicide and other crimes by these barbarians, unwilling to dispute with them, acknowledged he was guilty of all they ac- cused him. One of them on hearing this confes- sion raised his sword over his head, and extending his arm to strike him, it instantly became im- moveable, and the sword fell from his hand. His companions, confounded at this miracle, offered up their prayers to Heaven. But Hospitius per- ceiving their deplorable situation, with ineffable goodness restored vigour to the sacrilegious arm, and life to its owner. The Lombards, witnesses HISTORY OF NICE, ^5d of this prodigy, were converted to the Christian reh'gion, and the soldier who after his cure became ^priest, passed the remainder of his hfe on the same spot, devoutly fulfilling the service of the Lord. The saint, who before had prophesied by the inspiration of Jesus Christ, now addressed himself to two of the. Lombard generals, who, convinced of the truth of his exhortation, re- turned in safety to their country, but the rest perished deplorably in the defence of an unjus.t cause. ' The devastations of the Lombards here, and in other parts of Gaul, assuming a more serious aspect everj^ day, various generals in 57 1 marched against them with numerous armies, but perishing in their enterprizes, the barbarians gained a com- plete ascendancy. They marched over impervious mountains, and with sword and flame laid waste every thing before them. Thus the predictions of the saint were verified. Despair and disaster marked every where the passage of these barbarians, and all the towns contiguous to the Alps aii'd the Var were victimti 254< HISTORY OF Kl'CEs of their fury, and the whole of Provence partook of the same fate. These successes encouraged them to undertake new enterprizes, though the same fortune did not attendj their arms hereafter. An officer of the name of Mummol signalized his military talents* by obliging them to retreat as rapidly as they had advanced before* Notwithstanding, however, this defeat, they again in 572 traversed the plains of Nice and Cimiez, pillaged these towns, and spread desola- tion every where in Provence, when Mummol a second time arrested their progress and gained a complete victory. He obliged them to indemnify all the expences of his army, and repair the mis- chiefs they had occasioned. How numerous were the calamities which Provence underwent in the days of the de- scendants of Clovisl ever engaged in war, her towns were pillaged, her inhabitants massa- cred, though the laws established by the Ro- man conquerors underwent but little altera- tion. The Lombards did more mischief of exery HISTORY OF NICE. 25i kind to this country, during their quarrels with the Burgundians and the Provencaux, than all the battles between the Goths, Franks, and the Ro- mans. Nice and all Provence had not for a long series of years tasted the sweets of repose, and scarcely knew their legitimate sovereign, until Clotaire II. re-united Provence to France, the former, previ- ously to this event, having formed a part of the kingdom of Burgundy. The French empire was then restored to tran- quillity, and Clotaire, who was of a peaceful dispo- sition and without a rival, took measures of an effectual nature for consolidating his interests. With this view, he nominated a mayor to each kingdom, w^ho was to hold the office for life, an appointment which could not fail of flattering the governors, and which gave them also an air of royalty. , He convoked a council at Paris, to deliberate on the affairs of the nation, to revise the ancient laws, and form such new statutes as seemed re- quisite. He shew^ed the greatest zeal for render- ^56 HISTORY OF NICE, ing his subjects prosperous, but the best adminis- tration could not cover the injustice of his usur- pation of the kingdom of Austrasia; and the appointment of the offices of mayor for hfe laid the basis of the overthrow of the Merovingian kings. The government of Provence was nearly the same as in former days, but underwent some change with the emperors, who afterwards became her sovereigns. The origin of the law^s is of great antiquity, and may be deduced from the Jus- tinian code. The jurisprudence therefore of Nice, Marseilles, and the whole of Provence, originated at the court of Rome. The Gre- cian colonies had equally their customs and laws as I have already explained, previously to the conquest of the country by the Romans, but the victors granted, by degrees, the inhabitants of conquered countries the civil right. HISTORY OF NICE, §57 SECTION XXII. tRRUPTION OF THE SARACENS INTO THE TERRI- TORY OF NICE. The Saracens had no sooner quitted the banks of Africa, than they made a descent in Spain, being invited, as is supposed, by Count Julian, a Visigoth nobleman, whose daughter King Ro- deric had violated, and who sought this means of avenging the atrocious proceedings of his sove- reign. When the barbarians had satisfied tlieir cupidity they passed the Pyrenees, and took several towns in Aquitaine and Provence, spreading terror on every side. They aspired to the domini- on of the latter country, and supported theie pretensions as allies of the northern nations. la vain they experienced defeat after defeat, the arms, renown, and successes of Charles Martel were not sufficient, after an interval of many years, to prevent their new devastations in Provence, He did, indeed, repeatedly check the career 25S HISTORY OF NICE. of the infidels, and even rescued France^ whose annihilation seemed approaching, from their dominion; but notwithstanding the dread- ful carnage, which he and Eudes, Duke of Aquitaine, made, their hordes again returned, and universal depredation succeeded. In ttie 8th, 9th, and 10th centuries, Provence and Languedoc witnessed a renewal of those atrocities, which had so often signalized the track of the barbarians. Scarce a town escaped from pillage under the second race of the kings of France, thougli King Pepin gloriously drove them from the town of Narbonne, and Charlemagne obliged them to quit Aries with the same precipitancy. The victories of this great monarch taught them to respect and fear him ; and the French empirq under his reign, though a scene of bloodshed, gained strength, territory, and ultimately respec- tability. Constantly persecuted by the Saracens, it is probable the Christians fled to Nice, as the position of this town enabled them with some confidence to oppose the arms of the barbarians* HISTORY OF NICE? ^^9 Authors assert that the heaps of large stones which are found on the mountains, are proofs of this opinion* The Saracens, however, always undaunted by their defeats, continued t© infest the Spanish, Provencal, and Itahan coasts, and became masters bf the islands of Corsica and Sardinia, so that the greatest part of those who fled to the latter place from Italy were victims of the enemy. It was an invariable rule with the Saracens, ia case of defeat in one spot to try their success iu .another ; thus, though finally destroyed in Corsica and Sardinia, they made a descent on Nice and the Etrurian shores in returning into Spain. Nice would have been too fortunate to have suffered but once the calamities attached to the Sai;acen invasion. The local advantages of the town invited them to new enterprizes. Different mo- narchs would have found there the best safeguard against the incursions of the barbarians, but their perpetual jealousies, their various pretensions end continual disputes, reduced the inhabitants s2 ^(^(^ HISTORY OF NICE. to a Still more calamitous situation, and even paved the way for the Saracen oppression. The Saracens remained many years in consider- able force in' Fraxinet, a place naturally strong, difficult of access, and well fortified. They re- tained possession of it for a great length of time, against the attacks of the Provencaux, and other Christian soldiers. Inhabiting this fortress tiU 972, they were constantly making incursions into Provence, but more especially iti the territory of Nice, which was so contiguous. Thus this town was continually obliged to submit to new masters, and to all the horrors that such changes imply. Notwithstanding her natural attachment to her lawful princes, her loyalty was perpetually in- sulted by the barbarians. Yet nothing could shake the fidelity of her principles, and in de- fiance of the fury of her prevailing enemies, and the galling chains of despotism, she ever em- braced the earliest opportunity of acknowledging her legitimate masters. We have, it is true, seen Nice in uncommon misery, we have traced her to the tenth century through all the struggles of HISTORY OF NICE. 261 barbarism, we have seen her loaded with care and oppression, but never yet stigmatized with reproach. It is indeed a justice due to the Nissards, to observe that from the earliest ages, they have ever merited the same eulogiums ofcourage and loyalty. IncHned to industry and commerce, they were by no means of little consideration in the mercantile world, and deservedly obtained the cares and solicitude of every monarch they obeyed. If the affairs of Nice, its history and antiqui- ties until this period are involved in obscurity, we cannot be much surprized, since we know that the Saracens have almost annihilated, by their repeated incursions, those monuments which other barbarians, before their time, had scandalous- ly mutilated. Nay, it cannot fail to excite our astonishment, that in so few years after these ages of barbarism, after the desolations of the Gth, 8th, 9th, and 10th centuries, Nice should regain not only a certain degree of consideration, but even of splendour. It would seem indeed that she flourished amidst the horrors of war and 262 HISTORY OF NICE. tyranny, instead of being obliterated from the page of nations. We shall trace her shortly, not merely recovering froni the abyss, but vying with other maritime towns, her alliance courted by some, and her enmity dreaded by all, Fraxinet fell into the hands of the Saracens in the following manner. It happened that some of these barbarians, not many in number, making an excursion in a boat between Sicily and Spain, were driven by a storm into a bay near Nice. On reaching the land they began to explore the country^ and discovering a castle hard by, entered it by night, killed the garrison, and took posses^ sion of it themselves. Fraxinet was situated in a peninsula, and commanded the sea from a lofty eminence. The approach of this fort was more^ over extremely difficult from the irregularity of the ways, and from a number of thorns and stones which formed a thick fence around it. The Saracens, masters of this place, began to take measures to reinforce themselves, and dispatched some of their troops to Spain, from whence they soon obtained assistance. The possessions of HISTORY OF NICE. 263 the strangers became more and more extensive, their force augmented by the dissentions of the nations around them, and from the accidental seizure of a small fortress, they acquired consi- derable power and an extensive tract of territory. Reserving their more serious depredations, until the Christians became weakened by their quarrels, and their own power more confirmed, they con- tented themselves with the plunder of Nice, and the pillage of the adjoining country, and then pushed their ravages through a great part of Provence. SECTION XXIII. AFTER THE DEATH OF CHARLES, KING OF PROVENCE, NICE PASSES UNDER THE SOVE- REIGNTY OF THE KINGS and COUNTS OF ARLES. Heue it may be observed that the feudal system which originated with the Merovingian Kings, now gradually acquired strength and stability. Since the reign of Charlemagne, the 264 HISTORY OF NICE- nobles had been held under very little restraint, and it had become customary for the sovereigns of the present epoch, to recompense and secure their adherents by the donation of estates, and the governments of towns, in perpetuity, by which means a number of petty sovereignties were established throughout the empire, which in later ages planted the standard of rebellion. The vast empire of Charlemagne, which had been divided amongst his grandsons, was now upon the verge of undergoing other distributions. The death of Lothaire, one of the sons of Louis the Gentle, or Debonnaire, who had been invested v with the dominions of Italy, Provence, and Lor^ raine, gave the country, whose vicissitudes we are tracing, a distinct sovereign. Having spent a hfe in restless ambition, as inimical to the repose as the prosperity of the empire, he laid aside the plumes of royalty, to devote the remainder of his days to the service of Heaven. He retired, as his end approached, to a monastery, and hoped by such an act of humi^ lity to expiate all his crimes. HISTORY OF NICE. ^65 But he had no sooner divested himself of the cares of governing, and sought an asylum in sohtude, than he regretted having resigned his power. And although his subjects gained during his seclusion repose and happiness, yet ha wished to resume supreme authority. However, Provence was erected into a kingdom for Charles, his youngest son, by anew distribution of Lothaire's estates made by himself on his death bed, and comprised the country which is situated between the Durance, the Alps, the Mediterrane- an, and the Rhone, to which was also added the Duchy of Lyons. This sovereign did not, however, long enjoy his possessions; he commenced his reign in 855, and ended it in 863. The famous Gerard de Roussillonwa.^ appointed tutor to Charles the first king of Provence, by the Emperor Loth aire, and he so deservedly and com- pletely acquired the friendship and confidence of the young monarch, that he was called by him in his acts, father, nurse, and master. Indeed, this, great man was worthy of all the affection of Charles J for the zeal with which he defended him. 266 HISTORY OF NICE. and for his excellent counsels upon every oc- casion. Boson, son of Theodoric, count of Autun, next aspired to the purple. Endowed with great qualities, and instigated by Hermengarde, his wife, who embraced every occasion of exciting his ambition, he became king of Provence in 879 - justifying his pretensions by his merits, his right, and the important service he had rendered the country. But his ostensible appearance of at- tention to the interests of the two young princes, Louis and Carloman, his mildness of disposition, and courteous manners, contributed more especial- ly to make him popular and beloved. His friends urged that the Carlovingian family was declining in fame, that the young princes, who reigned in Neustria and Aquitaine, required an able counsellor to give them advice and protection: finally, as Provence had laws and customs peculiar to itself, that it ought to remain a distinct kingdom. They also argued that the nobles and clergy would prefer to bow at the throne of the illustrious Boson, rather than pay \ HISTORY OF NICE. ^6? homage to two unexperienced youths, and that he alone knew how to establish a happy go* vernment, and was alone worthy of supreme power. Boson was, however, treated as an usurper by the French kings, defeated in several engage- ments, and besieged at Vienne, where, by valor and prudence, he had the good fortune to re- cover the estates he had lost. When Boson died, his subjects were equally zealous for the success and prosperity of his sou Louis, as they had been for him. They placed the diadem on his head, but being a weak and ambitious prince, he found more satisfaction in flattering his passions, than in studying the welfare of his people. Such conduct was the cause of his overthrow ; and although he suc- ceeded m being crowned Emperor and King of Italy, the elevation was temporary, and an awful forerunner of the adversity that awaited him. He had to submit to the misfortune of having his eyes put oyt, and then to the humiliation of seeking refuge in lii;^ first kingdom, wher^ A 268 HISTORY OF NICE. nobleman of the name of Hugh had exercised during his absence absolute authority. Hugh was the first person who seized upon the county of Aries, a stretch of power that was the more easy to him, as his sovereign was de- fenceless and weak. Scarcely had Louis breathed his last, than he made himself entire master of the whole of his kingdom, and he became sovereign, without the title of it, to the prejudice of Louis the legitimate successor. But Hugh having fallen into the displeasure of the Itahans; who were fickle subjects, ceded the kingdom of Provence to Rodolph, King of Transjurane Burgundy. Hugh was induced to make this accommo* dation from the alarm he took at the disasters to which his kingdom was exposed, and from the inclination and threats of the Italians, to recall Rodolph in 913 to the head of affairs. The ex- change of Provence for Italy was therefore made, on condition that Rodolph let him remain peace- able possessor of the latter country ; and they confirmed, bj an intermarriage of their children, HISTORY OF NtCB. ^69 the sojemnity of their friendship. By this treaty Rodolph united Provence to his other dominions, forming together the kingdom of Aries, of which he was the sovereign. This monarch allowed a nobleman of the name of Boson, who had married Berthe, daughter of Hugh, to be acknowledged Count of Aries, though he was to remain his vassal. Conrade the Pacific, successor of Rodolph, gave the county of Aries to another Boson, who took extreme pains to restore the strength of all the maritime tov/ns, which had been almost annihilated by the barbarians. His son William succeeded him, from whom descended, in a male line, the first counts of this country, till the reign of Bertrand. From the transmission of Provence to Rodolph, all classes of society seemed to be inspired with a love of glory ; the fine arts were prosecuted with vigour, and refinement of manners supplanted that savage ferocity which the ages of barbarism had imperceptibly stamped on the people. Austerity of conduct was softened by the pursuit 9tO itlSTOUY OF NI€£. ' of literature, and politeness and a thirst of renown inspired men to noble achievements. A still greater difference, however, manifested itself in the character of the people during the reign of the next race of sovereigns. It is worth observing here, that the kings of Provence, with the exception of the first, were counts and dukes of the country,, who, as the spirit of independency manifested itself, aspired to the royal authonty. In proportion as they usurped supremacy, they nominated deputies to the places which they themselves held, and these also in turn, profiting of the weakness of their sovereigns, insensibly acquired independency too, and finally converted their appointments into hereditary descent. As Aries was the capital of Provence, it was the reason they took the name of Counts of Aries. Their power was yery great, and the major part of the nobility submitted to them. Some indeed, despising the dominion of the counts, acknowledged only the emper(5rs for their sovereigns, and to them alone rendered homage. The effects of such insubordination HISTORY OF NICE. 271 was the separation of those estates from Pro- vence. We may discern in referring to the annals of this country, during the tenth and eleventh cen- turies, a gradual endeavour amongst the nobles to usurp petty sovereignties, and towards the close of this epoch they displayed their intentions more openly. The troubles which menaced Provence, whilst Bertrand II. held the sceptre, were chiefly caused by the efforts of this count, to vindicate the party of the Pope, Gregory VIL against Henry IV. king of Germany. The great towns, and princi- pally Aries, though Bertrand had submitted almost the whole of Provence to the Pope, acknowledged the title of Henry, and refused to accept the mandates of Bertrand. In the reign of Gilbert, the expedition was un- dertaken against the Holy Land. After the cap- ture of Jerusalem, the renowned Order of St John of Jerusalem was instituted, an order of such reputed advantage to the Christian world. The Pfovencaux claim the merit of the establish- ment. From amongst them was chosen a Grand 572 HISTORY OF yiCE4 Master, when it was on the instant of dissolution ^ so that its commencement ancj consistency are due to the efforts of the great men of Provence. A number of commanderies and the priory of St* John of Aixj are proofs of this assertion. Besides the commanderies of Nice, Avignon, and Gap, Provence boasted several similar institutions. After the death of Gilbert, another race of counts ruled over this country. SECTION XXIV. :nice is independent in uos, and has con- suls. SHE ALLIES WITH THE REPUBLIC OF PISA. Nice and all Provence, when transmitted by Rodolph to the emperors, his successors, under- went a material alteration. The various ameli- orations of civilized society, the prosecution of the fine arts, literature, politeness, and the thirst of renown, softened that austerity which the Saracen invasion had superinduced, and imperceptibly HISTORY OF NICE. ^73 dissipated the clouds of ignorance and barbarism. The most memorable alteration in this country occurred at the accession, and during the govern- ment, of the Berengers. With respect to Nice, at this epoch, it followed the fate of the celebrated cities of Italy. Genoa, Lucca, and Pisa, from their maritime situation, had so prospered by their commercial relations and activity, that notwith- standing the troubles of Italy, they evidently sur- passed the rest, and sighed to lay the foundations of liberty, or rather tp cherish the independency which had already made some footing, and ac- knowledge no authorities but those constituted by their own citizens. The example pervaded the neighbouring towns, and these illustrious re- publics had the satisfaction of seeing other people pursue a path which conducted them to happi- ness and grandeur. Neither the vicissitudes of Provence, nor the perpetual change of its monarchs, had shaken the principles of attachment of the Nissards, to their monarchical government. It was the dissensions of the governors, the pretensions of the command- 274 HISTORY OF NICE. ants to the provinces, the ambition of the nobles to usurp royal authority, which first excited the cle&ire of freedom in the bosom of those citizens, who lived far from the seat of government. Nice Lad suffered so much during the disasters of .Provence, that she had hermarine to re-establish, her commerce to cultivate, and to engage herself with an ally both willing and able to protect her. The principal cities of Provence, Aix, and Mar- seilles, so engrossed their sovereign's attention, that Nice in a remoter position was neglected and for- gotten. Notwithstanding the rapacity of the barbarians and the attacks of the pirates, commerce, by affording her the means of constructing vessels, and thus protecting her trade, would inevitably render her formidable. In short, the period was arrived that Nice was free, and she now sought to connect herself with other states that already were so. Neither ambition nor the Arragon do^ minion, which she despised, nor a reluctance to be governed, led her to disunite herself from the imperial yoke, but the honorable wish of partici- pating the independence of her neiglibours, and llIStORY OF NICE. 275 ^feeking consideration by the same path by which they had already attained it. The offers of the republic of Pisa were flattering to Nice ; reciprocal advantages made each cultivate a good under- Standing^ and an aUiance in 1115 was the effect of their friendship-. It was in this city that several noble personages ©f Genoa and Pisa assembled in 1201, to settle the differences which then prevailed between these republics ; but after a tedious negotiation and re- luctance on both sides to come to terms of peace, the congress ended. Not any thing favorable came of this meeting ; and in a few months more serious disputes arose^ SECTION XXV. KIGE UNDER THE DOxMINlON OF THE ARRAGONESE. The illustrious antiquity of the counts of Bar- C'elooa, and the prospect of enjoying peculiar favors, were circumstances highly gratifying ^o the Provencaux in their new change oi" sovereigns. X 2 27t> HISTORY OF NICE. Raymond Berenger I. who succeeded his father in 1082, was chosen in ] 1 12 for the husband of Douce. He was one of the most potent princes near Provence, and possessed both the power aqd ability of conducting the government of this country* The marriage was solemnized between them under the auspices of Giberge, and by right of his queen, he became inheritor of Provence. Douce was the daughter of Gilbert and Giberge, and became mistress of this country by the par- tiality of its legitimate heiress, her mother, then widow queen. The Count of Barcelona had no sooner become the defender of the rights of Douce, than he commenced hostilities with the Count of 4 Toulouse, who was determined to dispute the claims of his queen to Provence. His rival was a formidable one ; he had brought over to his interests several noblemen of distinction ; and thus strengthened, many engagements ensued with nearly equal advantages. The two counts per- ceiving that this kind of warfare only setyed to exhaust their resources, without deciding in favor of either, thought it most advisable to terminate HIStORY OF NICE. 2?/ the dispute by negotiation. A treaty was soon concluded J wherein it was stipulated that either should adopt the other in case of failure in the regular succession. During the dominion of the Berengers, an infi- nitely austerer mode of government was adopted. Timidity or caution had previously prevented that usurpation of authority, which the boldness of the Berengers assumed. They gradually seized all the prerogatives of royalty under the different pro- gressive titles of Count, Marquis, Duke. They then ventured on the investiture of lands, the pro- tection of the church, and the assumption of" By the grace of God," of which the annals of their' country are not wanting in proofs. The preten- sions of the emperors repressed temporarily the spirit of the counts. From one step, however, they proceeded to another, till at length they assumed the title of majesty, with the addition of '^ Gratia Dei." The counts of the first race could never obtain permission to stamp coin * with * Until this epoch Roman coin had been the current money, both at Nice and all the towns throughout Provence. It con- ^78 A 1 STORY OF NICE. the emblems of sovereignty, though the emperor Conrade III. during the second race, granted that privilege to Raymond de Baux, in 1146, when he invested him with Provepce, Notwithstanding, however, these amicable ar- rangements, the country enjoyed repose for a few years only ; dissentions and discontent prevailed amongst the nobles, and in 1 122, a civil war broke out between Alphonso Count of Toulouse, and the Count of Provence. The cause of the rupture was the pretensions of the former to this country by his marriage with Faydide. He flew to arms ip order to confirm his right ; the Count of Pro*. verjce also, on his part, availed himself of his sisted of Othonian, and Melgorian sols : in latter ages the sols Provencq.ux were called sols royauof, and when the Counts of Forcalquier coined, there were the sols RaimondinSy and the sols Gulielmins, This money retained its worth to the full amount, till the time of Charles le Boiteux, when it lost Something of its value from the circumstanpe of Philip the Handsome causing the allay to be diminished in the coin of France. Other sols wpre afterwards coined, double the value of thos^ above, which occasioned the former sols to be called, and con- sidered, pelite monnoie. It was the custorn to reckon by d€- ^ierSy spls, and livreSf and in succeeding ages by llorIns„ \ HISTORY OF NICE, 279 force to preserve what was the dowry of his queen, but after a few skirmishes an accommodation took place. Raymond and Douce ceded to the Count of Toulouse several castles, and their pre- tensions on that part of Provence situated between the Durance and the Isere, only reserving a right over Avignon and some other towns. On the other hand, Alphonso abandoned all his pretensions to this part of Provence. Nothing could be more desirable than such a negotiation, as it embraced the interests of two princes who were generally on Jtiostile terms. But in spite of this, the political situation of Provence at the accession of Raymond Berenger the young to the throne foreboded many troubles, and but for the wisdom, moderation, and virtue of his uncle the Count of Barcelona, Raymond Berenger IV. would have experienced the want of an able defender. The new war which had been kindled between Berenger Raymond, the father of the young prince, and Raymond de Baux, r?ow became more alarming. The distance of \he late count from the seat of government, had 280 HISTORY OF NICE. ' given an opportunity to his enemies to promote faction : the people, at this moment, hailed the Count of Toulouse, and wished to see him sove* reign, probably from the idle hope of profiting by a revolution. The uncle of the young count caused the states to be convened in 1145 at Tarascon^ and when he entered Provence, received from all descriptions of people the assurances of submission and fidelity. With the view also of completing his projects, and supporting a helpless child, he as- sumed the title of Marquis of Provence; conceiv- ing by such a measure, that he should intimidate those who encouraged revolt, and cherished fac- tion.; He defended his nephew's interests during^ th-e minority with the most dignified disinterest- edness and care, reduced some revolted nobles, vanquished others who were too powerful, released the oppressed, and governed with great discrimi- nation. Raymond de Baux was beaten several times, deprived of nearly all his estates, and so much reduced as to have no hopes of recovering his patrimony, but in the conqueror's clemency, lie was obliged to ask for peace, which the count I HISTORY OF NICE. , 281 granted him on the most honourable and advan- tageous terms, restoring him all the places he had taken daring the war, and reinstating him, on the condition of rendering homage to the Count of Provence his nephew. When his authority seem- ed to be established on a solid basis, the Count of Barcelona departed for his own estates, and led Berenger with him, confiding in the nobility to support the cause of the young monarch. In this they were so unanimous, that Raymond de Baux was ever after disconcerted in his projects, and compelled to adopt a new system to revive his drooping interests. Raymond Berenger was thus possessor and absolute master of Provence, from the Durance to the Mediterranean, and from the Rhone to the Alps. Indeed, such was his power, that no rival now dared to contest it with him. The death of this great prince, which hap- pened in 1162 at St. Dalmas, when he was going to ratify the treaty he had concluded, left Ray- mond Berenger the young in great perplexity. He had many obstacles to surmount, which to avert required his micle's skill. The revolt of 2S2 JIISTORV OF KIC£. Nice compelled him to decline the war, which he proposed vvagiog against the Count ofForcalquier, and occupied all his attention. Berengef besieged %e town in 1 166, but the Nissards made so vigor- ous a resistance, that after strenuous efforts on both sides, he was obliged to quit his enterprize, highly dissatisfied with so mortifying a repulse. Some historians assert, that he perished in the siege, though it is controverted by others, and even said, that he was alive in 1 167. No sooner bad the citizens of Ni'ce recovered fi^om the severities of the siege undertaken by Berenger, who would neither regard their entreaties Dor their offers, than they sought an alliance with the Genoese. Their vicinity to Italy, and the gjtates of the latter people, joined to the probabi- lity of deriving immediate succour from so powers ful an ally, tempted her to court their friendship, Risking therefore every thing, and despising all past dangers, she deterndined on remaining free, and coalescing with a neighbo^3•ing power. Genoa gladly offered her protection^ which the Nissards m gladly embraced. 3 HISTORY OF NIGE. 283 Douce was the only daughter and heiress of Eaymond Berenger II. and had been promised ia marriage by her father to the Count of Toulouse, J3ut the solemnization not taking place, the Count inarried her mother Richilda, in order to confirm his usurpation. Alphonso II. king of Arragon, and cousin of Douce, dissatisfied at this proceed- ing, determined to contest tlie claim which the Count of Toulouse now had to Provence by his late alliance. He soon entered the country at the head of ^ large army, and complete success ^trending his first euterpri;5es, he ah'eady looked upon himself as the spvereign of tire cppntry, and in i 1 68 he gave it to hjs brother Raymond Berenger JII. on condition that fie should restore it when- ever he made jthe demand. Thus, master of Pro- yence, and having many troops at disposal, h@ joined his two brothers, and directed his march towards Nice^ to revenge on the inhabitants the defeat of Raymond Berenger the young. Jhe approach of the troops alarmed the Nis- sards, and submission was their only safe alter- f^ative. The citizens went to the banks of the 584 HISTORY OF NICE* Var, and by imploring pardon of Alphonso, and promising obedience in future, the king was pleased to listen to theiif entreaties, allowed them to take the oath of fidelity, and granted them his protection, on condition of their paying a sum of money. The emperor Frederic, having come to Pro^ vence in 1178, confirmed the rights of Alphonso, and re-established his own, by causing himself to be crowned king of Provence with the empress and his son Philip, in the cathedral of Aries. There is a charter, dated June, 1176, wherein Alphonso confirms to the town, the " ConsulatuHi, consuetudines, et usus cum omnibus justiciis.^' He renewed the grant, by an act bearing date October, 11 88, and this happened from the circum- stance of the inhabitants forming a new alliance with the republic of t^isa, the 29th of March, of the same year. So strong was, it appears, their hatred to the dominion of the Arragons. HISTORY OF NICE. f85 SECTION XXVI. NICE IS AGAIN DETACHED FROM HER SOVE- REIGNS, AND FORMS ALLIANCES WITH VARIOUS REPUBLICS. As Pisa and Genoa were the two most flourishing republics of Italy, in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, it is natural to imagine their jealousy augmented in proportion to their prosperity. Their relative situations, their com- merce, and even their celebrity, were circum- stances which caused suspicion in peace and ex- asperation in war. They were both of great maritime force, strong in internal policy, and courageous in battle, and both equally eager to embrace any cause of rupture. An aUiance therefore was soon formed between the Pisans, Nissards, and the republics of Pro- vence; wliTch latter, were ready, from policy, to defend the Pisans against the Genoese, for the ob- vious reason of their having acquired such an ascendancy over their neighbours. ^'SG HlStORY OP NICEi In 1^09, they declared for the Pisans, and seiit eight galleys to their assistance ; but William Embriachi, whom the senate of Genoa had dis- patched With an equal number, jittafck^d them with so much success, that he captured seven of their vessels, and obliged the Provencaux to sue for peace. Hugh Debaux, with ten Marseillois gentlemen, were dispatched to Getioaj arid a treaty of peace very advantageous for the republic was concluded. Vintimiglia, of which we have spo- ken in a preceding part of the work, supported a long siege against the Genoese^ but being re- duced to the lowest extremity, was obliged to capitulate in 1222. This, however, formed but one of the many exploits, which about this period redounded to the honor of the Genoese arms. The inhabitants of Nice threw themselves on the clemency of the senate, after being informed that eight galleys were destined against them. The Genoese availing themselves of the peac6^ with the Pisans, sent emissaries to Nice, in order to reconcile the trifling differences which yet existed between them. The senate, says an his« HISTORY OF NICE. 537 torian, had another object in view, that of receiv- ing the oath of fidehty from the Nissarda, and giving orders for the erection of a fort on the summit of the mountains, in order to convince them that what they could not acquire by negotiation j thej would by^arms. It does not, however, appear correct, that Nice gave herself to the Genoese. She made a treaty of alliance with them, for their common defence, which lasted till the year 1229. TheNissards, previously to detaching themselves from their sovereigns a second time, which occurred in 1215, reduced into a code all the municipal laws^ and gave an independent form to the government. This code was compiled in 1205, from which pe- riod may be dat;ed the desire to manifest their free- dom once more. Nice, allied with Genoa, for the space of several years defied the menaces of Raymond Berenger IV. who saw with a jealous eye the independent spirit of the Nissards. Notwithstanding the siege of several of the revolted towns, undertaken by Berenger, and >h!s insisting on the immediate alle- giance of all the nobles and cities, the Nissards 2SS HISTORY OF NICE. maintained their liberty; and it was not until after the reduction of Marseilles and Avignon, that Nice acknowledged the supremacy of the con- queror. This event occurred in 1229, and after the complete subjection of the country, Berenger appointed as governor, Romee de Ville-neuve, who had assisted him in the wars of Provence with such exemplary fidelity, a man of excellent reputa- tion and enlightened mind. The illustrious Berenger, who had shewn him- self worthy of immortal glory for his liberal pa- tronage of the sciences, died in 1245, leaving his subjects to regret his virtues^ moderation, and valour. The court of this prince had been the center of politeness, and during his reign, Provence acquir- ed celebrity for the gallantry, and urbane manners of the inhabitants. Berenger was the founder of the town of Barcelonetta in the Alps, of which we have already spoken ; and in him ended the (sovereignty of the Arragons over Nice. HISTORY OF NICE. 289 .1 SECTION XXVL NICE UNDER THE GOVERNMENT OF THE HOUSE OF ANJOU, AND THE KINGS OF NAPLES. From the dominion of the Berengers, Nice passed to that of the family of Anjou. Beatrix, the youngest daughter of Berenger^ who had married Charles, the brother of St. Louis, was heiress of Provence. The amiable disposition of this princess had endeared her to the Provencatix, who gave every token of joy and satisfaction at seeing her succeed to her father's estates. Their predilection to her was very conducive to the interests of her husband, who was shortly after declared heir and Count of Provence. The king of France, gratified by the jiUiance of his brother, promised him protection, and as a mark of his approbation, united to his other estates the counties of Anjou and Maine. From this epoch, however, until 1382, the history of Nice offers nothing remarkable. In that year Joan, the eldest daughter oT Charles u 290 HISTORV OF NICE. Duke of Calabria, succeeded her unCle Robert in the county of Provence, and the kingdom of Naples. This princess, anxious to avert the calamities which had, during several years, menaced her estates, adopted even as early as 1S80, Louis I. duke of Anjou, and made him her legitimate successor. She sought ia \he alliance of the Duke an antidote to the mischief, nor did she doubt, from the inclination of this prince to be- come sovereign of Provence, of his accepting her proposal of being chosen her successor. She then convened the nobility, and the deputations of the various towns of the Kingdom, and publicly adopt- ed the duke. Joan trusted by this alliance, to employ the principal forces of France in her behalf. The duke received the news of the solemnization with extremest joy, and desired to evince his gratitude by the grandeur of his actions. The Provencaux did not certainly shew unani- mous approbation atthe adoption of the duke, and a party even formed itself for Charles de Duras, 3 HISTORY OF NICE, S9 1 whom the quefhhad excluded from the kingdom of the two Sicilies, and from the county of Provence, Joan first ensured the succession of her estates to Charles, but as she afterwards formed new alU- ances, and Charles, in the sequel, gave proofs of strong attachment to the king of Hungary, her enemy, she disinherited him and secured the protection of France, by adopting the Duke of Anjou. It may, however, be neces* sary to observe here, that Charles remained firm to the queen's interests until she mar- ried Otho, the eldest son of the Duke of Brunswick, a measure inimical to his views, and at which he took umbrage. From that time Charles indignantly quitted the queen's party, and became her most formidable enemy. They who espoused the Duke of Anjou^s interests, pleaded his natural right to the crown from the queen's adoption, a right inherent in the sovereign. They insisted on his virtues, valour, and wisdom, and the atrocious ingratitude and crimes which had sullied the career of his competitor. Tb« friends of Charles argued that successions could - 9 f9^ HISTORY OF NICE. not depend on caprice, but on proximity of blood, in the eyes of the Provencaux, so renowned for fidelity to their lawful sovereign. They censured the conduct of Louis at the siege of Tarascon, they reprobated his ravages at Aries, and stigmatized him as a mere usurper. In short, the popukce, the most numerous part of the community, declared for Charles, and Louis was obliged to confirm his right by arms. Nice was very conspicuous on this occasion, and supported with vigour the party of the former. Louis, however, submitted almost all Provence, but died without taking possession of the king- dom of Naples. When he heard that Joan w^as beslesred in a castle, near that city, by Charles, he quitted Pro- vence with a large army, in order to rescue his benefactress. His intentions were laudable, though he did not enjoy the satisfaction of seeing them realized. He had no sooner commenced the ex- pedition, than the troops under his command were assailed by disease, his friends either were ynable, or did nut choose, to support him, and HISTORY OP NICE. 293 he could not procure succours of any kind. In this critical state he was apprised of the murder of Joan, which circumstance so much exasperated his other misfortunes, that he died broken-hearted in September, 1384. Louis 11. of Anjou, succeeded his father, but as he was very young5 he was put under the guardianship of Mary de Blois his mother. His minority gave an opportunity for faction to fer- ment, and the queen apprehensive that delay might weaken the affections of bis subjects, and enable the discontented to strengthen their in- terest, conducted him to Avignon, where Pope Clement YIT. invested him with the kingdom of Naples- They also compelled this young prince to declare, that he would never make peace with Charles de Duras, a traitor, and the murderer of their beloved queen. But notwithstanding the subjection of Provence by Louis L the party of Charles was very active, for relying on the justice of this prince's claims to Provence, they formed several great coalitions, i^yhilst Louis brought to his standard a number of ^94» HISTORY OF NICK. gentlemen, and with them the towns of Arle^, and Marseilles. There can be no doubt, but th^ conduct of Charles was impeachable* The mur- der of Joan tarnished a life, which otherwise would have adorned the annals of history. The Proven caux, however, always displayed great partiality for him, and his succession was indis- putably legitimate* The hour of Charles ap- proached, for being invited to a banquet by some nobles after the death of Louis I. he was assassi- nated in 1386, in the same manner that Queen Joan had been before him* An opportunity now offered for Otho, the last husband of Joan, to revenge upon Charles's wi- dow, and the helpless Ladislaus, the three years imprisonment he had endured by Charles's order, and the shocking murder of his queen. He quickly joined the partisans of Louis, put himself ^t the head of his troops, and after gaining a sig- tial victory^ compelled Margaret to seek safety in flight. This event was certainly highly glorious to Otho, but his good fortune from this time seemed again to desert him. Either the reputa* HISTORY OF NICE. 29i tion that the victory obtained him, or the undue advantage he took of it, prejudiced him in the eyes of Mary, who sought every occasion of mortify- ing his pride, and moreover deprived him of his post of captain -general But piqued at the ingra- titude of the queen, he took up arms against her, and espoused the cause of Ladislaus her rival. Nor did Margaret; vi^idow of the deceased Charles, neglect during this period to have Ladislaus his son, though but ten yeai's of age, crowned king. At the same time, however, faction was aug- menting its forces every day. Almost all Pro- vence had submitted to the Duke of Anjou, and since the partisans of the late monarch saw that their efforts had hitherto been useless, and that their hopes from Ladislaus his son were not likely to encourage them to persevere, they began to desert his standard. Besides which, the queen his mother was without interest,l3u| ambitious, and iinable to make any resistance, so that the Pro- vencaux generally acknowledged Louis for their sovereign. When Cpiarles fell, his friends fell tQQ, and the 296 • HISTORY OF NICE. death of the father was the ruin of the son. La- dislaus was abandoned and left to struggle with a host of foes, when valour combined with judg- ment, .might, if not have fixed him on the throne, at least, have disconcerted and harassed his ene- mies, and attached to his name brilliant recollec- tions. But this prince, though very young, dis- played much presence of mind at Naples, and teceived homage from many noblemen, as well as marks of felicitation from the people. Yet too weak to resist the efforts of his enemies, and dis- gusted by the conspiracies of the Neapolitans, he quitted their towns and returned to Provence. 'Nice alone undertook the generous defence of this sovereign, and though besieged by the Count of Savoy in favor of the Duke of Anjou, bravely maintained the contest until all her forces wiere ex- hausted. Seeing herself at length on the point of falling into the power of the duke, she sent two deputies to Ladislaus, to expose to him her ex- treme distress, and the necessity of being quickly succoured. Ladislaus having numerous enemies (to encouriterj had scarce forces enougfi to oppose HISTORY OP NICE. ^97 to them, for the preservation of the kingdoms of Naples and Hungary, and consented for the town and county of Nice to submit to a prince of their own choice, excepting the Duke of Anjou, on condition that he should be reinstated in his rights over the county, if he returned in three years to re-emburse the expences it had cost the inhabitants during the siege. The choice was Boon made; the royal house of Savoy had the preference. SECTION XXVII. HOUSE OF SAVOY RULES OVER NICE, Such was the origin of the claim, which the house of Savoy had to the sovereignty of Nice, and the reason that the successors of that throne I had an indubitable right to it. In 1 388, Amadaeus VII. was elected sovereign, and a few years after Amadaeus VIII. succeeded, and took the oath of fidelity accordingly. Amadaeus VIII. sur- S9S HISTORY OF NICJEc named the red, aware, however, of the slight bond which united Nice to this crown, availed himself of the opportunity to secure it on a surer basis. He saw that seizing it from Ladislaus, or main- taining it under the pretensions of the house of Anjou, were no stable engagements. A precari- ous title, or the avowal of usurpation, were far from being agreeable to the feelings of Ama- daeus. He therefore addressed himself to Louis III. when he could not well advance money for the defrayment of the expences incurred during the w^ars of Naples, at the same time taking admirable care to remind him of his former services, and the claims which he undoubtedly had for such immense sums. A demand of this na- ture was well calculated to astonish the king, who was both young and little aware of the selfish in^ terest of individuals. In this posture of affairs, and fearing that he might be interrupted in the preparations for his voyage, he begged of Yolanda, his mother and tutress, to arrange it. Negotiation seemed to be the only way which promised sue* cess, ?md the queen therefore chose that methodi HISTORV OF NICE. ^99 She was anxious to make the duke feel the little right he had to his claim, and deemed that it would be advisable to make him know it as soon as could be with due precaution. A con- ference was proposed to the duke, and accepted by him with great eagerness, who, at the same time, expressed that all differences ought to be compromised between allies. Were it not rather foreign to my purpose, to take a retrospect of the events which have contributed to the rise of the extraordinary reputation of the house of Savoy, during several years prior to the acquisi- tion of Nice, I should have joyfully undertaken the task. They who may feel an interest in the subject, would meet with ample satisfaction, by referring to the reign of Amadaeus VI. under whom the Savoyards, and inhabitants of the adjoining states, daily acquired prosperity, strength, and energy; and this because every petty potentate and powerful emperor began to court the cx>unt's aUiance and friendship, and referred to his counsels the decision of the weightiest d'ls- SOO HISTORY OF KICE. On the 5th of October, 1419, the Duke of Savoy secured Nice, Villa-franca, and their dependencies for sixty-four thousand Hvres, and declared himself creditor for fifteen thousand florins of gold. He only allowed four months for paying it in. Rene, King of Naples, entertained some hopes of recovering Nice, over which he pretended he had a right, and concerted measures for the pur- pose of weakening the claim which the Duke of Savoy now indisputably had to it. The king Was deeply afflicted at the late transaction of the duke, whose usurpation \\ad become insupportable in his eyes. His silence no longer authorised the act, and he determined to represent the futility of the duke's pretensions, and the illegality of the possession ; but as his words were not backed by force, he was obliged to be satisfied with making this formal effort. Nice, its dependencies, and the valley of Barcelonetta were all demanded ; but the Duke of Savoy, as might be imagined, replied, — I possess these lands by a good and just title: my right, and peaceable possession of them, will assure them to me against the pretensions qf HISTORY OF NICE. 301 Others. The king had no army to support his claim, and was obliged to submit to this mortify- ing answer. The first care of the new sovereigns was to attach the Nissards to them by their beneficence : they ordered the fortifications of the castle, which the Berengers had commenced, to be continued, and increased them to such an extent, that from the beginning of the sixteenth-century, the castle was called the bulwark of Italy. In L533,Pope Clement VII. desirous of bringing about an interview between Francis I. King of France, and Charles V. Emperor of Germany, m order to reconcile and estabHsh a solid peace be- tween these two monarchs, asked the castle and town of Nice, of Charles III. for the purpose. He begged to have them without a garrison, and promised to restore them as soon as the interview should end ; but as the Pope wished to put a gar- rison of his own there during that time the duke rejected the proposal. His highness offered to place a strong guard in the town for the security of His Holiuessj and to command it in person, $0^ HISTORY OT KICE* but would not consent to give up the castle. In consequence of this refusal, the meeting was fixed at Marseilles, where the Pope had the supreme felicity of gratifying his pride, by concluding the marriage of his niece Catharine de Medicis, with the Duke of Orleans. It must be admitted, that a decision made be* tween the Pope and the ambassadors of France at Bologna of the above nature, could not be very agreeable to the feelings of the duke; for, what- ever might be his highnesses wish to oblige the Pope, and to assist in making peace between the two monarchs, it would have been a sacrifice too great, and too dear to his interests, to have com- plied with such a request. The king took umbrage at Charles's conduct and obtained a bull of Paul III. by which his holiness suppressed the Bishopric of Bourg, to mortify the duke, who had caused its re-establish- ment. It is singular, that Charles should not make an effort to prevent its execution ; on the contrary, he seemed to acquiesce in its ful mi na- tion. His highn^ii'j;* affairs by no means went HISTORY OF KICE* 303 on smoothly, for the revenge of Francis augment- ed daily, and the Swiss threatened him with a rupture* He was shortly after desired to with- draw his troops from Geneva, or to expect a de- claration of war, as well from the Swiss as the French. The duke w^as willing bo continue the peace if possible, and consented to go to Aoust, in order to negotiate with the Swiss ambassa- dors, but when they demanded the toleration of the new religion in Germany, the conference ended. In 153^, the French king declared war against him, which is attributed to a variety of causes. Some persons presume the reason of hostilities was the duke^s refusal to give him up Nice, and tlie places which were the rights of succession of Louisa of Savoy his mother, and of which he was heir : that the duke had accepted the investiture of the county of Asti, ancient patrimony of the house of Orleans, and that he had offered to abandon to the emperor all his possessions from Nice to Geneva, on condition of being compen- sated with other lands in Italv. S04 hisfDR4^ o^ i!!!i6t. To these reasons, may be added another, more powerful than any. Revenge being natural to man, and jealousy one of the most inveterate causes, it is not surprising that they, who^e in- terests are blended with the obnoxious person, should fall the victims of resentment. Charles and Francis hated each other, and the latter could not bear to see the duke a partisan of his enemy. Whatever suspicions the French king might en- tertain of the duke's partiality to Charles, he no longer wanted a proof to corroborate it, when Nice was refused for the place of interview of his ma- jesty and the Pope. But Francis should have remembered, although these circumstances were proofs of the duke's preference for Charles, that he had also received marks of friendship. The passage of the king's troops into Italy had always been allowed through his territory, and every assistance was given to expedite and ensure their march thither* The offer of resigning this town, which was the entry into Italy from Provence, Geneva likewise, on the other confines, to Charles for an equiva- HISTORY OF NICE. 305 lient elsewhere, were circumstances that irritated Francis exceedingly. The duke, perceiving the king's resentment, and being driven to the last resource, determined on fortifying Nice in the strongest way possible, Whither he was obliged to retire with the duchess in hopes of better days, since nothing favorable was likely to happen, while his estates were constant- ly w^avering between the French and the Austrians : for what one of these powers had to-day it lost to-morrow, so difficult was it to know who was the master of each province. To Charles's numerous misfortunes, another iiow added new chagrin. Beatrix of Portugal, his queen, diecJ at Nice^ which afflicted him deeply, as the news was unexpected, and they had always lived in perfect harmony^ A few days after this, in 1538, Paul IIL made the same demand of the Duke of Savoy for the castle bf Nice, as Clement VII. had done, and for a similar conference between him and the two rival sove- reigns. As soon-as the emperor arrived at Villa- franca, he also sent deputies to the duke to dis- 306 HISTORY OF NICE. / pose him to lend his imperial majesty the castle, for forty days, for the purpose specified, which was granted him. The galleys of the emperor were dispatched to Savona, to conduct the Pope to Nice, and it was proposed to the duke to give up the castle to the Pope^s son, who was then in the town under the guarantee of the emperor, for its being dehvered up at the expiration of the time stipulated. The duke, however, was resolved to cede it to nobody but the emperor himself, and accordingly dispatched deputies to Villa-franca, to inform the emperor of his determination. On the 16th of May, the Baron de Menthon and La Guiche arrived at Nice, charged with a message from the king, that if the duke gave up the castle to the Pope, he would not come. The day folI(^w- ing, the duke determined on going to Villa-franca, Hi order to confer with the emperor, as he was afraid of offending him, or the king. The emperor replied, that it was no longer time to deliberate, that his imperial majesty had engaged the Pope on the duke's word, and that he must execute what he had promised. Upon this, the duke set HISTOIIY OF NICE. 3^7 off to Monaco and invited the Pope, who was there, to come to Nice, assuring his hohness of a lodging in the castle, though it should be against the king's wish. But the Nissards, fearing lest the castle should be cjeiivered to the Pope, and acting either by se- cret orders from the duke, or by their own im- pulsion, took up arms, carried the gates of the fort- ress and the town, established guards in every quarter, preferring rather to be buried in the ruins of the city than admit foreign troops. They pretended that their privileges authorized them to repulse from their walls any troops but those of the duke. The inhabitants interiit on their design, took the Prince of Piedmont in their arms, and carried him to the castle, rending the air with the shouts of " Jong live Savoy." Many of them shut them- selves in the garrison, determining to stand or fall by their yomig prince. Emanuel Pliilibert, for that was the name of the child, being conductdd to the citadel, and perceiving a model of the castle in wood, exclaimed amidst the tumult, «« Why are you so perplexed ? Since we have X 9 SOS HISTORY OF NICE. two fortresses, ]et us give them the wooden Ofie^ and keep the other for ourselves, without suffer-^ inganybod}* to enter. '^ This exclamation from a cliild of twelve vears of a^e excited laus3:hter, and added new courage to the garrison. The Pope iindiiig what was the determination of the Nis- sards, lodged in a monastery out of the town. The duke on his part sent deputies to the em- peror, to apologize for the conduct of the garrison^ but Charles expressed his displeasure, as he imagin- ed it to be a stratagem of the duke's. Other depu- ties were sent to the Pope for the same purpose* His Holiness gave them proofs of being highly offended, and soon grew impatient in consequence of the king's absence. Wishing to soften as much as possible theevent^ which had so recently occurred, the duke offered to give the Pope the town of Nice for his better ac- commodation ,but the inhabitants would not suffer it. In this posture of affairs, the Pope and emperor held a conference under a pavihon, hence the construction of a marble pillar, called the Croix de Marbre, to commemorate this event, when th« HISTORY OF XICE. S09 stfrival of messeDgers at Nice assured his HoiiDess of the king's being on Lis road thither. On the 3d of June, the duke had the honor of paying a. visit to the French king, who was also lodged at a short distance from Nice. At this time the Queen of France likewise came here to see the Pope, and went afterwards to pay a visit to the emperor at A^illa-franca. A curious circumstance occurred ; bridges w^re formed from the queen's galleys to the shore, in order to faci- litate the landing, at the end of which were the emperor, the duke, and a number of noblemen to receive her majes^- ; but as the queen approached, the bridge gave way, and all fell into the sea, an d£^ir which began in consternation, but termi- nated in laughter. The emperor remaiiied at Yilia-fraDcaj but never saw the king. The Pope alone negotiated, sometimes with one, then with another, but the only success attending his mediation, was a truce of ten years, called the truce of Nice, between the two princes, and the taking measures for convok- ing ihe council gf Trent. 310 HISTORi' OF NICE. Thus, Nice appointed the seat of conference, became the conspicuous theatre of negotiation, between the two greatest monarchs of the age^ The re-union of the Pope, emperor, king and queen, in the town of Nice gave it a new consi- deration. Ail the powers of Italy anxiously desired a peace, but the prince to whom it was most ne- cessary was the Duke of Savoy, whose estates were almost annihilated. Some historians go so far ^s to say, that it had been in contempla- tion to make a desert of Piedmont, in order to prevent the French from penetrating into Italy. But it woulji be difficult to persuade an impartial reader, that the emperor could even for a rnoment entertain so barbarous a scheme. Besides a truce of ten years, a treaty of coni^ merce was signed between the subjects of the two monarchs, so that each country w^as bona- fide \n a state of peace. The duke, however, feeble in resource, despised by one, disliked by another, and exposed to the revenge of all, was obliged to sub- mit to the alienation of his estates durino; tej4 HISTORY OF NICE, 311 years, and what was yet more ignomiiious, found himself necessitated to] sign over his inheritance for that period, or not to be included in the treaty. It is with pain I rejate the persecution of a Prince of Savoy, since these rigorous measures can bear no other interpretation. Oppression almost always succeeds misfortune, for Francis having materially injured the feelings of an helpless monarch, w^ant- ed even to deprive him of his last possession. Go, said the king, to the duke, and advise him to relinquish the county of Nice, and I will make him compensation in France. I will give him other estates, that shall bring him in twenty thou- sand crowns rent. But the duke instead of listen- ing to the insulting propositions of Francis, recol- lected that though unfortunate, and circumscribed in power, he was a man and a prince, aricl with a spirit and indignation becoming his rank and an- cestors, replied, that he would never acquiesce in the views of France ; on the contrary, that no one should, impede his dying, at least. Count of Nice. The French king had even the cruelty to inform the duke, that he, for form sake, would retain |51f HISTORY OF NICE. Tqrin, iMoncalier, and several other towns till 9, peace should be concluded with the emperor, at which proposal Charles was exceedingly mortified^ but ended, by saying, that whenever his majesty would return him his country, he would willingly ^gree to his retaining a place as surety of his affec- tion towards France. The duke seeing no hopes of having his terri- tory restored, w^ent to the Diet of Ratisbon in 1541, to complain to the electors, and princes of ^he empire, of the wrong the king did him, ex- |iorting them to espouse his quarrel. He was promised support, notwithstanding the intrigues of the Frejich court. During these commotions, those cities which the French did not take, the emperor took care tq SjecurCj so that at last, Nice was the only ex- ception. Frpm such active measures the duke naturall}^ concluded, they sought to becomsi permanent masters of his lawful inheritance, and such was his deplorable condition, that he saw nc^ hopei^, but in rekindling the flames of war. The |3evise he ^idopted in his desperatiop^ was a pakecj HISTORY OF NICE. Slf ^rm, with a sword, and this inscription : " Spolia- tis arma supersant.'^ In vain did the ambassadors on the side of Francis apd Charles Y. strive to maintain the good understanding between their respective sovereigns, Hostjhties recommenced after some time, and soon Jed to gn attack upon Nice. The coalition of the French and Turks, which had been productive of ^uch little advantage in 1536, from the scraples of the king and the cries of Europe agai»nst the league, was in 1543 more elhcacious. The four greatest monarchs of the age, Henry VHI. Charle§ y. Fraqcis I. and Soiimaa J I. were engaged in |;he campaign. Francis openly sought the alliance of the Turks, whose custom it was to burn every town belong- ing to the Christians, and to condemn tiie inha- bitants to dungeons. The result of the French embassy to the Otto- man empire, was that of Soli man's dispatching a hundred and ten galleys, under the command of the famous Barbarossa, to join the French fleet off |he coast of Provence. Previously, however, to the 314 HISTORY OF NICE. arrival of Barbarossa, Grignan, governor of Mar- seilles, proposed making an expedition against the castle of Nice. The French fleet was com- manded by the Duke d'Enghien, who concerted with the governor upon this project, and then with his majesty, who entrusted the execution of it to so young a hero. It was undertaken from. the promise of three Piedmontese soldiers to deliver up the castle. They were put on hoard the four galleys that were to approach Nice, whilst the Count d'Enghien followed with the rest of the fleet, taking his station in open sea off the height of Nice, either to assist if necessary, or to retreat in case of danger. Giannetino Doria, who had been written to by the Prince of Piedmont, and apprized of the intention of the French, was lying in ambush with several galleys: he rushed for--- ward as the enemy approached, took four galleys before they could reach Antibes, and obliged the rest to fly. The Duke d'Enghien made the best of his way to Toulon, dissatisfied with the expe^ dition. lie was pursued by Giannetino for some time, who finding that he could not make up tQ MiSTOPuY OF NICE. ^i«5 the duke's squadron, returned to Nice with his prizes. Barbarossa arriving shortly after this event with 174? vessels of various descriptions, pass- ed before the castle of Nice, and landed at an island in the sea of Provence, after vi^hich, the Ottoman and French fleets united their forces at Toulon and Marseilles. The Count d'Enghien and Barbarossa agreed to lose no time, but to pro- ceed immediately to the siege of Nice. The reply of ^lontfort the governor, upon being summoned to surrender, was this ; My name is ^lontfort, and my devise " il me faut tenir.'^ Pressed, however, by the besiegers, he was obliged to give up the town and seek refuge in the castle, where the garrison retired, taking every thing that was valu- able with them, being aware of the customary pil- l^ige the Turks make on entering a Christian town. The enemy, anxious to get possession of the fort- ress, erected several batteries of cannon, and being aided by a naval armament, played inces- santly on the town, declaring they would not discontinue the ire until it capitulated. It was 316 HISTORY OF NIGE^ with great difficulty the Duke d'Enghien prevail- ed on Barbarossa not to burn the town, an event which he the more desired, as there was no plun- der. The declaration of the besiegers v^as, how- ever, of but litde consequence, for the walls of the castle were top strong, and the fortifications too well maintained to be demolished by the cannon pf Barbarossa. This famous pirate pretended, that the French did not attack it with skill, and was of opinion, that it was impregnable. Besides which, the besiegers learned from intercepted letters, that the Duke of Savoy and the Marquis de Guast were marching to its relief. Of this they could have no idea, as it was scarcely pos- sible that de Guast, should be in a state to come to the relief of the castle. On the 8th September^ the allies worn out by fatigue, by the loss of men, and being disconcerted in their plans, raised the j?iege. Barbarossa sailed to Toulon, and the Count of d'Eni>hien to Marseilles, but the former did not quit his enterprize without giving a dreadful mark of his cruelty. It was stipulated in the surrender pf the town to make no pillage, and to respec^ History of nice. 317 the lives and liberties of the. citizens, but the capitulation was violated. The Turks took away 5200 inhabitants, and sent them to Soliman,* but their captivity was not of long duration : for being luckily met by the combined squadrons of Malta, Naples, and Sicily, they were retaken and re- gained their hberty. The Nissards signahzed on this occasion their courage, and attachment to the house of Savoy, The defeat of the French and the Turks was a great triumph to the duke, who had a medal struck, bearing on one side the cross of Savoy, sur- rounded with attributes of victory : on the other Was written '' Nicasa a Turcis et Gallis obsessa." On the 9th September, the very day after the siege was raised, messengers approached the cas- tle, and announced the news of the duke's arrival, and on the 1 jth, the Duke of Savoy and the Mar- quis de Guast had the satis&ction to enter there with the army. 1 he galleys which landed the army were driven * The statue of Catherine Seqiieiran commemorates this event. {See page y,) 318 HISTORY OF NICE. on shore in the pprt of Villa-franca, and experi- enced so dreadful a tempest that Doria lost four, and had a great deal of difficulty to save his artil- lery. One of the officers of the guard of Barba- rossa, hearing the news of this misfortune, hurried him to put to sea, to cope with the armament thus thrown into disorder. A contrary wind, however, changed Barbarossa's determination : yet he sent 25 galleys, and the same number of French vessels, but as no attack was made they returned again to the harbour of Toulon. The enemy dispersed, the duke thought of collecting together the inhabitants, of extolling the valour of Montfort and Paul Simion, and of rewarding the soldiers and officers for the laurels obtained on this memorable occasion. The go- vernment of the town and county of Nice, with the rank of lieutenant general, were given to Mont- fort as a proof of his sovereign's esteem. The misfortunes of Charles seemed to turn to the glory of Emanuel Philibert, and the servitude and loss of his country to tte renown of his suc- cessor: for during the reign of this prince, we HISTORY OF NICE. t319 observe a country almost shipwrecked by the arms of France and Germany, revive upon its ruins, and again become formidable. Nice, however, was threatened with another storm in I555j and Duke Emanuel Philibert, hearing it was the intention of the Turks to attack Nice by a naval armament, a circumstance which obliged him to be upon his guard, dispatched Andrew Provana to order the fortifications of Villa-franca to be strengthened, wherein he was so successful and diligent, that the Turks understanding this manoeuvre, and aware of the courage of the go- yernor and garrison, neither attacked Nice nor Villa-franca, but beat a retreat more agreeable to the Nissards than to themselves. Emanuel Philibert in the treaty of the 3d April, 1559, was put in possession of a great many of those states, which Charles had seen successive- ]y fall into the power of Germans and French- men. Turin, Pignerol, Quiers, Chevois, Ver- ieil, and Asti, were restored to their legitimate prince. But the duke could not rest without tryum to 326 illSTORY OF NICE. recover Turiri, arid at a conference held at Lyoilii in 1 560, his annbassadors urged every argument to shew the duke^s right over it. The ambassadors of France strove on their part to shew the claims of their sovereign to the cdunty of Nic^, the tovvns of Turin, Coni, &c. With regard to What concerns the former it Was replied by the duke'^ depu- ties, that the county gave itself to Amadseus the; red, and that the successors of his highness were invested with it by the Emperors of German}*^? besides which, Francis I. had renounced all th^ pretensions that he, or his successors, could havci to it The negotiation, however, turned to th^ ad- vantage of the dukcjand in 156:3, he entered Turin amidst the acclamations of every rank of people. Emanuel Philiberti not only recovered thd States which his father had the misfortune to lose^ but extended them considerably on the side of Nice. I digress here for a moment, to relate a (furious anecdote of the Duchess of Savoy. TheRen^gadeJ Ochiali, a famous Calabrian Corsair, having maJei HISTORY OF NICE. 321 a descent on the estates of Duke Emanuel, during his highness's stay at Nice, took a vast number of prisoners, whom the duke ransomed for 12,000 crowns. And it was furthermore stipulated that the barbarian, agreeably to his wishes, should have the honor of seeing the duchess before they were set at liberty. The duke consented, and Ochiali set off from Villa-franca, for Nice ; but as her highness had no desire to receive the compli- ments of the pirate, she put on the dress of Ma- dame de Raconis, and changed places with her, thus enjoying the error, and punishing the temerity of the barbarian adventurer. In the subsequent disturbances of Provence, the Duke of Savoy was called upon by the inha- bitants of that county, to assist them against the forces of la Yalette, who with the view to suppress the revolt of Aix, Aries, Marseilles, and other large towns, had recurred to the Duke of Mont- morency, governor of Languedoc, and to Lesdi- guieres, lieutenant of the King of France in Dau- phiny. The duke dispatched some officers of distinction, and soldiers obtained from the county Y 32'2 HISTORY OF NICE. of Nice, to the assistance of the league ; and shortly after la Yalette was obliged to relinquish his de- signs upon Antibes through the perfidy of a Nis- sard, but in revenge seized upon Toulon. The duke supplied the league with fresh suc- cours after the loss of that town; the troops, artil- lery, and ammunition, were all reviewed at Nice, and 12,000 crowns were given to pay the soldiers. At the solicitation of the Provencaux, the duke was ultimately prevailed on to engage more warm- ly in their cause, though for some time he hesi- tated, pleading the greatness of his other occupa- tions. On the l6th of October, 1^90) he quitted Nice with all the forces designed for Provence, accompanied by the presidents of Aix, who were come thither to accelerate his departure. He passed Antibes, -Grasse, and took two or three castles in his way to Aix, w^here the nobility of the town, and persons of rank, received him with extraordinary distinction. Leaving his operations here in 1599 to return to Nice, he watched narrowly the conduct of the Count de Bar, governor of Antibes, whom he HISTORY OF NICE. 323 suspected of being in alliance with Lesdiguieres. The sequel proved that the suspicion was just> for as soon as the duke decided to attack Antibes, the mask fell by his calling Lesdiguieres to his support. Incensed at this proceeding, the duke im- mediately besieged the town, and ahhough Bar escaped, the. conquerors obtained a great booty, money, and several pieces of cannon. The duke next departed for the battle of Yignon, where he met with a severe repulse ; Lesdiguieres attacked his troops, and put them to flight. The situation of the French king was now ameli- orating fast) many towns had submitted to his gene- rals,and the duke began to fearfor the security of his own estates. Amidst various events, the town of St. Stephen, in the county of Nice, was seized upon, to which place the duke instantly dispatched some of his Piedmontese infantry, and a proportionate number of horsemen, to rescue it from the enemy. The prudence of the duke was surpassed by the vigilance and activity of the governor of the county of Nice, who had without delay attacked the place and rendered himself master of it, as Y 2 32i HISTORY OF NICE. well as of two others, which were occupied by the enemy^s troops. St. Stephen, however, again fell a sacrifice to the French, but was retaken in the year 1598. The inconveniences which the county of Nice suffered from the occupation of that place, made Beuil the governor of the county, besiege it very vigorously, so that after nine days, Gas, the com- mander, capitulated. But the war between the king and duke still raged with mutual violence : the Duke de Guise, in 1 600, attempted to surprize the castle of Nice de-la- Faille, vihich owing to the courage and vigilance of Bobba, the governor, failed. The French fled after a few discharges of cannon. The duke, as a token of flight, did the inhabitants of the town the honor of leaving them his hat and sword, which were placed as trophies in the church. In 1629, the King of France gave orders for the equipment of a large naval force in Provence, to guard the coasts of Nice, and gave the com- mand of it to the Marquis de Guise. The cala- mities with which Nice was now menaced were HISTORY OF NICE. 325 averted, for the duke fearing the consequences of a contest with the king, agreed by the treaty of Suza, to let his majesty and army pass through his states, in order to succour Gasal, and as a pledge of his design, gave up to the king the citadel of Suza, and the castle of St Francis, on con- dition of their being garrisoned by Swdss soldiers. This pacification presaged a happy omen for Nice and its environs, for no sooner was the arrangement made, than the naval armament which appeared off the coast, and which had absolutely demanded a passage for some troops, of D. Felix, governor of the county, to enter Italy, hoisted signals of departure, and put back without delay, The treaty was however annulled, and another made in its pl-^ce. An event prior to the death of Charles Emanuel, is said to have occurred at Nice de-la-Paille. A dreadful thunder-bolt fell on the castle, ominous of this monarch's approaching end. A tall tree behind the castle was rent, and the gunpowder magazines at Montmelian exploded. A peasant is said to have predicted his death. 3^6 HISTORY OF NICE, Besides erecting churches and other edifices, Charles ordered a waggon road to be cut in the midst of sharp overhanging rocks, from Saorgio to Nice, where mules formerly passed with extreme difficulty. The following approbatory lines were composed on the occasion : *^ Quem tlbi parturiunt monies, sillcesq. triumphum (Ausis qui solus major es ipse tuis) Te duce Nicaenam via dum proclivis ad urbem Qu^ modo vix avibus pervia praebet iter. Postera cognoscit, prsesens mirabitur aetas Imperio monies succubuisse tuo.^* Nice witnessed a scene of social and royal amity in 1561', a circumstance highly gratifying on ac- count of its rare occurrence within its warlike walls. During the period that the duke and duchess were preparing to meet King Charles IX. and Queen Catherine of Medicis his mother, at Lyons, by royal invitation, the children of the Emperor Maximilian, Rodolph and Ernest, Arch- dukes of Austria, arrived at Turin in their way to Spain ; on which the duke did not fail to send de^ putics to compliment them, to treat them with ex* HISTORY OF NICE. 327 treme magnificence and invite them to Nice. Here they met with all possible attention, and had galleys lent them by his highness to go to Spain. Nice had often the honor of a royal visit, and frequently received the family of its sovereign, and bad given birth to several of the blood royal of Savoy, Sometimes health, pleasure, or the posi- tion of affairs, induced the dukes to reside there. At others, they only made a visit. Nice was the spot the dukes generally posted themselves in, during the wars of Provence and Piedmont : hence they drew their principal succours, while the coun- ty at large supplied them with good officers and loyal soldiers. Nice was brought more into repute in 1585, by the immense retinue that followed Charles Ema- nuel in his voyage to Spain, whither he was going to marry Catherine, daughter of King Philip II. His highness proceeded from Turin, followed by 100 personages of the highest rank of Piedmont and Savoy. The embarkation of this illustrious retinue took place at Nice, on board the prince of Doria's galleys. 32S HISTORY OF NICE In 1616, the Spaniards made an attack upon the castle and town of Nice, but with no better success than the Ottoman pirate. The vigilance of the governor, and the bravery of the garrison, were superior to the efforts of the enemy. In 1617, a similar attempt was made by the French, but they met with the same resistance, and were compelled to retreat without completing the object of their wishes. The Nissards, how^ever, experienced a fatal reverse in I69I. The preceding year, Victor^ Amadaeus II. King of Sardinia, had leagued with , Spain and Germany against France, and no sooner were his intentions known, than the French king dispatched St. Ruth to carry hostilities into Savoy, and the Marshal deCatinat to act against Piedmont. The success of the French was so brilliant, that the King of Sardinia lost nearly all his estates, and was compelled to make a separate peace, by which means he recovered his possessions. The import- ance of the castle of Nice had drawn on the inha* bitants, the animosity of Louis^XIV. whose all- powerful arms were now directed against it. The HISTORY OF NICE. 399 frequent repulses of the French at Nice had highly mortified the pride of the French nation, and acted as a new incentive to their sovereign to get possession of it at any rate. Louis, who had resolved to conduct th« siege of Mons in person, could not conveniently march to Nice, but gave orders for the Marshal de Catinat, ge- neral of the army of Italy, to enter the county : two squadrons, one composed of vessels, the other of galleys, were directed to occupy the sea, and prevent the enemy throwing in succour, while the army attacked it by land. The town and castle of Villa-franca, the fort of Mont-Alban, and some other forts, surrendered at the first summons. The town of Nice resisted but a day, and the governor retired into the castle, which was vigor- ously besieged. Three brisk attacks were made, notwithstanding the difficulty.of the ground, which consisting almost wholly of rock, rendered the enterprize dangerous and doubtful. The crevvs of the vessels disembarked the artillery, and erect- ed several batteries, amongst others, one con- sisting of mortar^, which was so directed that 330 HISTORY OF NICE. three bombs fell into the magazine of powder, and blew it up, demolishing at the same time a part of the castle, and killing upwards of five hundred men. The French encouraged at this success, advanced their works nearer the fortress, and continued the bombardment with redoubled •vigour. Another bomb destroyed a second maga- zine, containing bombs and grenades, together with a part of the fortification ; a circumstance which created such panic in the besieged, that the governor shortly after capitulated, well satisfied at being able to obtain an honorable accommoda- tion. This event gave rise to the coining of a medal. The town is thereon represented in the person of a woman, together with a shield bearing the arms of Nice. She is seen in great consterna- tion at the citadel being demolished. The words are " Nic^a capta," On the reverse of the medal is the head of Louis XIV, Succeeding attempts were made upon this for- midable castle. The siege in 1691 demolished a great part of it and injured the town exceedingly, but its complete destruction was not effected till HISTORY OF NICE. 331 17Q6, when the Duke of Berwick, at the head of a numerous army, laid it in ashes. The French king first ordered the Duke de la Feuillade to besiege Nice, hoping by that means to prevent the Duke of Savoy receiving any succour ; but the ope- rations of this officer were chiefly directed against Savoy and Piedmont, where he was so entirely suc- cessful as to make himself nearly master of the tw^o countries. AmongstotherexploitshebesiegedTuria on the 4th June, 1706, but the Duke of Savoy, and Prince Eugene having beaten the army of the Duke of Orleans, and gained a decisive advantage over it, he was forced to quit his enterprize. This victory, therefore, saved Turin, and enabled the Duke of Savoy to recover the whole of Pied- mont. It was undertaken in March, but as the artillery and ammunition which came by sea, were retarded by adverse winds, the besiegers could not open all the batteries at the same time. However, the castle of Yilla-franca, the forts of St. Ospicio, and Mont-Alban, which served as a defence to the town, were carried in a few days. The governor then judging it prudent to avoid -en 1 332 HISTORY OF NICE. assault, which he was unable to support, aban- doned the town the 9th of April, and retired with the garrison into the castle, where there were 110 pieces of cannon and every sort of military stores. On the 14th of November, of the same year, the Duke of Berwick besieged it, and conducted the attacks with such vigour and wisdom, that the governor was obliged to capitulate the 4th . of January following. The whole of the fortifica^ tions were entirely demolished, and have never since been repaired. A medal was also struck upon this occasion. On it, the town is seen in the person of a woman in chains, sitting at the foot of a monument, with a globe on the top, bearing the arms of France, and her shield lying at her feet. The citadel is seen behind,^ with several breaches in the walls. The words around it are " Nicaea iterum expugnata." On the other side of the medal is represented the head of Louis XIV. The misfortunes of war were not the only ones the Nissards had to contend with, though the miseries it creat-^d from the year 1681, to the HISTORY OF NICE. 333 month of September, 1696, and from 1701, to the peace of Utrecht, were incalculable. French and Austrian troops constantly occupied their territory : their towns were ever besieged ; the conquerors and conquered alternately in pos- session of their finest estates. The extortions of the one, and the miseries of the other, were alike disastrous. To these calamities succeeded the excessive cold in the month of January, 1709, which destroyed all their fruit trees, and a vast number of oHve trees. Then succeeded the epi- demic disease of 1736, w4iich proved fatal to upwards of three thousand of the inhabitants. Since the union of Nice with Savoy, they were both involved in a common fate, so that the war of 1741, in which most of the monarchs of Eu- rope took a part, proved another source of vicissi- tude to the Nissards. Ambition conductino- each monarch to the field of glory, the most flourishing countries were pillaged, territory taken from some and given to others, and the massacre of their subjects contemplated with the utmost sang-froid. When England, Austria, France, and Spain, had 3 33i: HISTORY OF NICE. entered into the war, Italy, which was peaceably governed by its httle potentates, began also to take the alarm, and on the report of the approach of an army in their country sought a coalition with Charles Emanuel III. King of Sardinia, who promised to defend them against the French and Spaniards. This sovereign, who w^as the master and the guardian of the Alps, was courted by all the contending parties, his central situation enabling him to promote or check the progress of the armies. He decided for the Austrians, and blocked up the passage of the Alps, which induced the Prince de Conti to force the highest mountains, and fall upon the Piedmontese soldiery. This suc- cess was followed by the capture of the garrisons of Yilla-franca, Mont-Alban, an hundred and twenty pieces of cannon, and the whole of the county of Nice. Such events were highly glorious to the French arms, but frequent skirmishes be- tween the rear of their army and the Sardinians, b, desperate slaughter of them, when they approach- ed tile enemy's entrenchments, extreme distress HISTORY OF NICE. 33^ and want of sustenance obliged them to re-cros3 the Alps, and leave the field of battle to the King of Sardinia. The Austro-Sardinian army was now completely victorious, and succeeded in expelling the French and Spaniards from the western ex- tremity of Italy. The Alps were again within the protection of their true guardian ; and the towns of Nice, Yilla-franca, Tortona, Plaisance, Parma, Pavia, Milan, &c. all fell into the hands of the victorious army. This was not all, for the allies soon passed the Var, took Grasse and Draguinan, and besieged Antibes. The latter town resisted the efforts of the enemy for four weeks, but was at the end of that period obliged to capitulate. The French now began to fear, as the Spanish army was retreating, that they must totally relin- quish the banks of the Var. War was pushed W'ith the utmost vigour in the vicinity of Nice, both by sea and land. The English attacked the island of St. Margaret, and bombarded the towns along the coast, at the time the Austrians laid siege to Antibes. The misfortunes which befel Maillebois, were 336 HISTORY OF KIC^. aggravated by bis disputes witb tbe Spanish chief, and indeed, they so much increased the despon- dency of tbe Frencb, that the Cabinet of Ver- sailles deemed it advisable to send the Marshal de Belleilse to take the conamand of the arm v. The scattered remnants of the French forces were now collected with all possible dispatch, and ordered to encamp at Le Luc. Belleilse, more fortunate than his predecessor, marched, and took some posts from the enemy in the county of Nice ; and being then on the other side of the Var, he began to entertain hopes of penetrating Italy, and that with the more ease, as tiie bulk of the King of Sardinia's forces were before Genoa. In this object, however, he completely failed, foranAustro-Sardinian army, consisting of twenty- geven battalions, was distrib^ited over the county of Nice, and the defiles of tiie Alps were occu- pied by entrenchments. A dreadful massacre of his troops took place on the Col-de-l'Assiette, the Col-di-Tenda, and in all tlie directions they en- deavoured to cross the barrier before them. The Piedmontese were so posted, thpt they could HISTORY OF NICE. 537 destroy all the advanced line of the enemyj with- out suffering from their fire. After this shocking slaughter, and signal defeat, the theatre of war was transferred to Genoa, whi- ther the Duke de Richelieu was sent to contend with the Austro-Sardinian troops. These numerous misfortunes made the French very despondent; and, but for the energy of Marshal de Bel leisle, they would have sunk under them. The Marshal had no sooner effected the passage of the Yar, than he tooji possession of Nice, Mont-Alban, Villa-franca, and Vintimig- lia, almost without resistance, and compelled the Austrians under Count Brown, to retreat towards Final : nor was he without hopes of obhging the King of Sardinia to quit his enterprize, and with- draw liis troops from the other side of the Alps. The Marshal, however, met with too formidable a barrier in the entrenchments of the king, to pene^ trate into Italy by Fenestrelles, Exilles, and the Col-di-Tenda. A dreadful massacre succeeded the passage of the Var ; the Piedmontese soldiers being so placed in the Alps, that they could fire "SS'S " ' HISTOIIY OF NICE. on the aikaoced lioe of the enemy without being exposed themsekes. After this memorable event, the seat of war was traosferred to Genoa. Tlie coonty of Nice suffered a great deal during the conflicts of the allies and the French, parti- cularly in the cultivation of olives and vines ; though the Mai^hai de Belleisle, to his very great credit, forbade the soldiers under pain of severe punishment to commit the smallest depredation* France, from being exceedingly exhausted by the continuance of the war, and disgusted at the weakness of government for having entered into it, zt the instigation of Madame de Maiily, was FiOW anxious for a peace, even upon disadvantage-. Ous terms. Not ^ny of the Belligerent powers were adverse to put an end to their disputes, fioping by that m^ans, to be able to pursue therf real interests which had been so long neglected. Madame de Maiily had all povi^er and empire at the court of Versailles ; she threw the apple of dis* cord into Europe, and produced as great disputes amongst mankind, as formerly occurred in Olym- pys. It is singular, that the monarchs of the pge HISTORY OF NICE. 33^ could not restore peace to the world, and that the address of a Madame de Pompadour was requisite to disarm those whom Madame de Mailly had persuaded to unsheath their swords. The King of Sardinia was put in possession of all that was ceded to him by the treaty of Worms : the Duke of Modena was reinstated in his states : Austria resigned to Don Philip the duchies of Parma, Placentia, and Guastalla : Silesia and the county of Glatz were joined to Prussia : and the fortifications of Dunkirk remained statuquo. The war of Flanders, Germany, and Italy, materially checked the external and internal resources of France, and tended, perhaps, to hasteti her to the dreadful revolution which she has lately sustained. The various disasters brought on by the war in Italy, in 1744, were prolonged until thje peace of Aix la Chapelle in 1748, when tranquilhty was once more re-established in this unhappy country. Here ended for a time the reverses of this town, and it now witnessed its happiest days. The year aflier the peace, the Nissards constructed a port, z 2 §40 HISTORY OF NICE. which is entirely the work of art ; nature has merely formed the spot on a little projection of ground to the east of the rock, whefe formerly stood the castle, and to the west of the mountain of Mont- boron, near which is seen thefort of Mont-Alban. The ancient privileges of the town were renew- ed the same year, and other prerogatives granted. • A little time after this, the road to Turin was repaired and embellished, an improvement which has certainly contributed to render the town more flourishing. SECTION XXVIIL MCE RECONQUERED BY THE FRENCH, AND AT PRESENT UNDER THEIR DOMINION. It is worth observing here, that although Nice, after the second race of French kings, no longer formed a part of the French, monarchy, the inha- bitants, as well of the town as the county, enjoyed many privileges inj^rance. They always succeeded to t^ii fortunes, the same as if they were residents HISTORY OF NICE. 341 of it, and in case of the death of their friends or relatives, who had fixed their abode in the French dominions, they could take possession of what was bequeathed them without quitting their own country. They enjoyed nearly the same rights aS'Frenclimen, and to be entitled to them, they had no need of letters of naturalization. Neither will it be out of place to mention, that in the year 1760, a treaty of exchange was enter- ed into, and ratified by the Kings of France and Sardinia, by which act, several towns in Provence were united to the county of Nice. His Sardinian majesty gave the French king an equivalent for them, in some other part of his dominions. AfKiirs remained in this posture, until the be- ginning of the convention, in 1792, when a large body of French troops, commanded by general Anselme, entered Nice. The Piedmontese sol- diers, to the number of about six thousand, alarmed at the approach of the republican battalions, eva- cuated the town two days before, and retired to Saorgio. This proceeding was not likely to en- courage the Nissards, who, siezec} withpaniq. iu 342 HISTORY 6F NICE. their turn took flight also, together with a number of emigrants, carrying httle else with them but their clothes. The greatest disorder succeeded in the town; the furniture and other property of the most respectable families were committed to the flames ; the plunder became general, and to. the disgrace of many of the inhabitants, they aided in the universal pillage, profiting by the pre- sence of the French, to increase the misery of their neighbours. The Piedmontese soldiery during this interval, sought every occasion of descending from Saorgio, to fall upon the enemy, and a variety of skirmishes ensued betiveen them. The scene of their con- flicts was the neighbourhood of Nice, of which there remain to this day, but too many vestiges. The houses in the Croix de Marbre, and the major part of the villas which adorned the surround- ing hills, yet retain the horrid marks of republic can fury. These demolished, the French next proceeded to cut the vines and olive trees, and ia short, made a wilderness arouiid them. The territory of Nice thus degre^ded, they put jn exo H1«T0RV OF NICE, 343' cution the same wanton mischief on the fine soil of Sospello and Bregho. The Gomniencement of the campaign proving so highly advantageous to the repuhhcan armies, it was to be expected, that Viiia-franca, I\Iont- i\lban, and the adjacent country would soon fall into their hands. Whilst Anselme thus furnished himself with the artillery, ammunition, and pro^ visions of the Piedmontese garrisons, Montes- quiou, with similar success, overran the province of Savoy, and planted on the lofty mountains that surrounded him, the colours of the republic. The hold, hovvever, which thePiedmontese had, at the same time that it checked for a moment the progress of their arms, only served to inspirit the French to new enterprizes. They resolved to get possession of Saorgio, and attempted to pene- trate there by Breglio, but the narrowness of the defile, and the bravery of the Piedmontese, were obstacles more difficult to surmount, than they at fir^t had imngined. They met this time with a con- siderable loss, and were obliged to relinquish the project of attacking it in front ; but not without $^% HISTORY OF NICE. much regret, and a determination to make a second trial. With this view, a column of the army was directed to pass by Vintimiglia, Dolce-aqua, and Mont-Tanardo, and then to descend by Briga, ill order to attack the fort behind. The com- mandant, whose name was St. Amour, capitulated, to his eternal disgrace, the first day, Hotwithstand- ing he had a large supply of provisions, and, was in every way, in a state to make a vigorous de- fence. The fort was afterwards razed by com- mand of the French. At this period of the revolution, Nice w^as alternately the scene of the defeat and victories of the French. Canton ned to the number of 20,000 in this county, in 1793, the principality of Oneglia was the next adjacent county v^diich felt the force of their arms. When they had secured this part of the Mediterranean coast, the army was formed into two divisions, of which one marched towards France, the other to com- pose an expedition to act against Sardinia. , But now the successful career of the repub- lican troops, in an attempt to take the islan 1* History of nice. 545 received a severe check ; and the only alternative left them, was a retreat as precipitate as it was disastrous. The loss they sustained upon this occasion, though not exactly -known, was very considerable. The army of Italy, of which the command had been given to Anselme, was also without its leader. This general having incurred the displeasure of the Convention, from some circumstance of sus- picion, was put under arrest, and confined at Nice, the city which had so recently been the scene of his triumph. Coni was the next object of enterprize, but here the besiegers met with such resistance, that after making several unavailing efforts, they were obliged to quit their undertaking, and once more seek an asylum in the county of Nice. The King of Sardinia, however, closely pur- sued, in vain attempted to save Turin. Rather than sustain a siege, with which he was threatened, he abandoned to the enemy Savoy, the counties of Nice, and Tenda, by which means the French troops had ever after a free passage into Italy. M6 HtSTORY OF NIC£. Nice then was again doomed i to bear the mis- fortunes of war for several years ; it was alwa;^ a post of great importance, generally the recep- tacle of immense magazines, and in turn possessed by the imperialists and republicans. I flow cease to describe the scenes of misery h must necessarily have witnessed during such a period, by remarking, that Melas, who had retired from the siege of Genoa, acquired great credit for his well conducted march across the Alps, to the territory of Nice. His approach, which proceeded from Mont Scarena, and the Col- di-Tenda, intimidated the French troops at Nice : they evacuated the city, but left a gar- r-ison in Mont-Alban. The year 1800 promised great advantages to the imperialists, but their suc- cessful career was checked on the banks of the Var, and their prospect from that time was less fiivorable. Under the dominion of the Kin^ of Sardinia, Nice and its territory contained about 34,000 souls, but now there are not more than two thirds of the number. War, emigration, and -J ■ ^ HISTORY 01^ NICE. 347 disease, have occasioned this diminution, and are the cause of the actual poverty of the country. We may also lament the ravages produced by ^ the inundations of the Var and the Paglion. There are a Yew rich individuals, who like many others in various parts of France, have profited of the moment of terror to tn^ke their fortunes by national purchases: but the property of the ci-devant nobility being almost all confiscated, and the owners dead or in emigration, there is little circulation of money, and great want of con- fidence among employers. Formerly the Nissards could not export the wines and oils of Provence, on account of the heavy duties judicious-^Iy imposed, by the King of Sardinia, on all ai tides brought from thence to Nice, but there being no such taxes now, the pro- duce of the eastern parts of Provence will be sent there for exportation, which, though it may enable the Nissards to carry on a little commerce in the time of peace, must necessarily hgrt the interests of the Provencaux. The contiguity of Nice to Grasse,Draguignan,aud other towns, where there S48 HISTORY OB* NICE. are large commercial establishments, will doubtless prove convenient to the merchants of the country : but the favors of the Provencaux can certainly never compensate the Nissards for the loss of the trade which was carried on between them and the Piedmontese. Till END y i'iiBictl by Dewick & CUrke, Aldcrsjiaio ^s.icec. !RMr'08 ^^■^^ \ ^ K^ : 4 -7*, ^ o \0 C? ^ V. ^/^ -. ^^^ A N G ^oO^ %^4' : i • ' %"> - Mm/A . ^^^^ .0 ^^ -^t.. \ - i Oc <^-.-;--.X .■ Dc * « , ■"OO 1 .no .#^ *^ -co^