They Have Planted It With
Cypress-Trees, And Flowering-Shrubs.
One of the monks told me,
that it is vaulted below, as they can plainly perceive by the
sound of their instruments used in houghing the ground.
A very
small expence would bring the secrets of this cavern to light.
They have nothing to do, but to make a breach in the wall, which
appears uncovered towards the garden.
The city of Cemenelion was first sacked by the Longobards, who
made an irruption into Provence, under their king Alboinus, about
the middle of the sixth century.
It was afterwards totally destroyed by the Saracens, who, at
different times, ravaged this whole coast. The remains of the
people are supposed to have changed their habitation, and formed
a coalition with the inhabitants of Nice.
What further I have to say of Nice, you shall know in good time;
at present, I have nothing to add, but what you very well know,
that I am always your affectionate humble servant.
LETTER, XIV
NICE, January 20, 1764.
DEAR SIR, - Last Sunday I crossed Montalban on horseback, with
some Swiss officers, on a visit to our consul, Mr. B - d, who
lives at Ville Franche, about half a league from Nice. It is a
small town, built upon the side of a rock, at the bottom of the
harbour, which is a fine basin, surrounded with hills on every
side, except to the south, where it lies open to the sea. If
there was a small island in the mouth of it, to break off the
force of the waves, when the wind is southerly, it would be one
of the finest harbours in the world; for the ground is exceeding
good for anchorage:
Enter page number
PreviousNext
Page 238 of 535
Words from 63885 to 64174
of 143308
