Aix, The Capital Of Provence, Is A Large City, Watered By The
Small River Are.
It was a Roman colony, said to be founded by
Caius Sextus Calvinus, above a century before the birth of
Christ.
From the source of mineral water here found, added to the
consul's name, it was called Aquae Sextiae. It was here that
Marius, the conqueror of the Teutones, fixed his headquarters,
and embellished the place with temples, aqueducts, and thermae,
of which, however, nothing now remains. The city, as it now
stands, is well built, though the streets in general are narrow,
and kept in a very dirty condition. But it has a noble cours
planted with double rows of tall trees, and adorned with three or
four fine fountains, the middlemost of which discharges hot water
supplied from the source of the baths. On each side there is a
row of elegant houses, inhabited chiefly by the noblesse, of
which there is here a considerable number. The parliament, which
is held at Aix, brings hither a great resort of people; and as
many of the inhabitants are persons of fashion, they are well
bred, gay, and sociable. The duc de Villars, who is governor of
the province, resides on the spot, and keeps an open assembly,
where strangers are admitted without reserve, and made very
welcome, if they will engage in play, which is the sole
occupation of the whole company. Some of our English people
complain, that when they were presented to him, they met with a
very cold reception.
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