But the basin of
the harbour is surrounded to seaward by a curious bulwark founded
upon piles driven in the water, consisting of a wall, ramparts,
casemates, and quay.
Vessels lie very safe in this harbour; but
there is not water at the entrance of it to admit of ships of any
burthen. The shallows run so far off from the coast, that a ship
of force cannot lie near enough to batter the town; but it was
bombarded in the late war. Its chief strength by land consists in
a small quadrangular fort detached from the body of the place,
which, in a particular manner, commands the entrance of the
harbour. The wall of the town built in the sea has embrasures and
salient angles, on which a great number of cannon may be mounted.
I think the adjacent country is much more pleasant than that on
the side of Nice; and there is certainly no essential difference
in the climate. The ground here is not so encumbered; it is laid
out in agreeable inclosures, with intervals of open fields, and
the mountains rise with an easy ascent at a much greater distance
from the sea, than on the other side of the bay. Besides, here
are charming rides along the beach, which is smooth and firm.
When we passed in the last week of April, the corn was in the
ear; the cherries were almost ripe; and the figs had begun to
blacken.
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