the East one â—â—nds le Cominge to which may be joyned le Conserans Bourdeaux UPon the Garomne is the Capital of the Government of Guyenne a very ancient large and beautiful City wherein is made a very considerable Commerce by reason of the conveniences of its noble Port. It has all the Qualities and all the Prerogatives that may render a City remarkable It is the See of an Archbishop who qualifies himself Primate of Aquitaine it has a Parliament a Gonerality a Mint an University and Admiralty It is one of the most noted Empories of all the Kingdom and used to be very much frequented by the Dutch and English for Gascoign Wines About 84 Miles from Rochelle and 120 from Toulouse Lon. 17.50 Lat. 44.50 Agen UPon the River Garomne the Capital of Agenois holds the first Rank after Bourdeaux and is situated in a Soil whose Fertility makes the Inhabitants idle It is a Bishops See 〈◊〉 bears the Title of Earl but he has 〈◊〉 other Lordly Right in the City 〈◊〉 Lords of Exale descended from 〈◊〉 Princes of Verone have had their Râ—dence in Agen. About 20 Miles 〈◊〉 Condom and 35 from Aux Long. 〈◊〉 12. Lat. 44.13 Bazas upon the Vâ—sane is the Capital of Bazadois a haâ—som City and stands about 25 Mâ—â— from Bourdeaux Cahors THE River Lot during its course 〈◊〉 this Province forms Six or Seâ— indifferent large Peninsula's in one 〈◊〉 which stands Cahors the Capital 〈◊〉 of all Quercy Henry the Great gaâ— here some Testimonies of his Condoâ— and Valour by a Battle which he oâ— stinately fought during three days 〈◊〉 cessively to render himself Master 〈◊〉 the City Some look upon it as 〈◊〉 ancient Vxelodunum which defended â— self a long time against Julius Caesaâ— Pope John the 22d was born heâ— who was called before James of Câ—hors 'T is a very ancient City honou◠〈◊〉 with an Episcopal See a Presidial 〈◊〉 a famous University It has also 〈◊〉 Remainders of an Amphitheatre 〈◊〉 Bishop takes upon him the Title of â—arl Near to Cahors is to be seen the â—sidue of an Aquaeduct which was â—eretofore above Nine Miles in Length About 38 Miles from Alby and 55 from Toulouse Lon. 20.6 Lat. 44.23 Rhodez UPon the River Aveyron is received for the Capital of all Roüergue It is a very ancient City but has lost much of its Grandeur and Beauty by the Prisals and Reprisals which the Goths Sarrazens and French have made in different times It has a Bishop and a Presidial and stands about 48 Miles from Mende 74 from Toulouse and 80 from Narbone Long. 21.20 Lat. 44.7 Perigueux UPon the River Lille the Capital of Perigort is more ancient than it is fine as one may judge by the Remainders of an Amphitheatre which is 〈◊〉 be seen there with many other Monâ—ments of Antiquity In its Neighbouâ— hood Pepin the Short obtained a signâ— Victory over Gayfer Duke of Aquitaiâ— Anno 768. It is honoured with an â— piscopal See and a Presidial It is moâ— sweetly situated in a pleasant Valleâ— about 42 Miles from Limoges and 6â— from Bourdeaux Longitude 19.18 Latitude 45.12 Limoges UPon the River Vienne is the Capitaâ— of all Limosin with a Bishoprick and a Generality The City is very populous and rich by reason of it Trade Its Artisans are particularly famous for curious Enamel-Work ' Tiâ— a neat but no large City inhabited by a People of so great Industry that they compel every one to work and is there fore termed by the French the Prison of Beggars At the taking of it wheâ— revolted Edward the Black Prince could by no means be allured to pity the unfortunate Citizens till pursuing his Enemies he saw Three French Gentlemen oppose his whole Army the consideration of whose Courage and Bravery induced him to Compassion whereas before he had vowed Revenge About 68 Miles from Poitiers and 100 from Bourdeaux Lon. 20.00 Lat. 45.40 Tulles seated in a rough and hilly Country is a Bishop's See it stands about 33 Miles from Limoges Saintes BY Ptolemy called Mediolanium seated upon the Charente isâ— the Capital of Saintonne 't is a very ancient City and is honoured with an Episcopal See and a Presidial It is about 32 Miles from Rochelle and 40 from Angoulesme Lon. 17.44 Lat. 45.42 Aux UPon the River Gez anciently called Augusta Ausciorum an Archbishops See The Income whereof is said to be greater than any Prelates of France reckoned at no less than an Hundred Thousand Livres per annum It stands about 38 Miles from Toulouse 80 froâ— Bourdeaux and 320 from Paris Lon. 18.50 Lat. 43.40 Lectoure A Bishops See called in our Modeâ— Lectodurum of old Lestoracium â— Town so well fortified when in thâ— possession of the Earls of Armagnac thaâ— it maintained it self three Months against the Strength of France But since iâ— came into the Power of the French Kings so strengthened according to the Modern Art of Fortifications that it 〈◊〉 esteemed the strongest Bulwork of the Kingdom on this side and securest Fortress against Spain It stands upon aâ— Hill about 14 Miles from Condon 〈◊〉 from Agen and 20 from Aux Longitude 19.4 Latitude 43.58 Aire upon the River Adour is an Episcopal City and stands about 38 Miles from Dax and 44 from Condom Condom SItuated on the Confluence of the Rivers Baise and Gele is the Capiâ—â—l of Condomois It is an Episcopal City whose last Bishop has been acnowledged as a Person of an extraorâ—inary Merit insomuch that he was â—hosen for the Dauphin's Tutor by the King It has also a Senechalsy and a Presidial About 20 Miles from Agen and 22 from Aux Long. 18.48 Lat. 44.00 Dax and Bayonne are also Biâ—â—op's Sees seated upon the River Aâ—dour within 32 Miles of each other the former being the Capital of Les-Landes the latter of the Country of Labourd There is a Mountain near Bayonne from whose top 't is said one may discern three Kingdoms to wit France Spain and Navarre Pau THE Principality of Bearn is situated at the Foot of the Pyrenees where they joyn to Languedoc and has the Glory of giving Life to King Henry 〈◊〉 Great Pau upon the River Gave is 〈◊〉 Principal of all the Province honouâ—â— with a Parliament or Court of Judicâ— ture for all the Country and a fair Pâ—lace built by Henry of Albret King 〈◊〉 Navarre and Lord of Bearn It stanâ— 26 Miles from Aire and 86 from Boâ—deaux Lon. 17.40 Lat. 43.23 Olerâ—â— mounted upon an high Hill and Laseâ—â— upon the Gave are also Bishops Sees Gathe UPon the River Ardour is the Capital of the Earldom of Begorre It is honoured with a strong Castle and Episcopal See and the Senechalsy for aâ— the Country of Begorre It is abouâ— 24. Miles from Pau and 26 from Auâ— Lon. 18.14 Lat. 43.18 Saint Beâ—trand upon Garomne Capital of Comingeâ— is also a Bishops See as is likewise Sainâ— Lizer upon the River Salat and Lombez upon the Save this last but of late erection 10.
Thirteenth but we must now make an addition of Lorrain and the French-County which are in its dependance so that we will divide it in Fourteen principal parts Four of these Governments to wit Picardy Normandy the Isle of France and Champagne are Situated to the North of the Loire and about the Seine except the First which is more Northerly than the other Three Those of Bretagne Orleanois Bourgogne and Lyonois are about the Loire and the other Four are to the South of the same River to wit Guyenne and Languedoc about the Garomne Dauphine and Provence to the East of the Rhone one towards the North and the other towards the South Lorrain and the French-County are directly Scituated to the East of this Kingdom The Capital City of France is Paris Capital seated in the midst of the Isle of France upon the River Seine It passes for a Vast Rich and Populous City one of the Noblest in Christendom and a Parliament City subject to the king of France and his ordinary Seat It is an Archbishops See and is adorned with a Famous university and Three illustrious Academies embelished with a great number of Magniâ—cent Churches and Stately Buildings about Two Hunâ—â—â—â— and Eight Miles almoit S. E. of 〈◊〉 The French are full of Spirit Manners active and ingenious enough in Arts and Sciences polite and agreeable in Convrsation complaisant to the Ladies and courteous to Strangers but withal very unconstant and very rash ut sunt subita Gallorum ingenia is one of the Remarks of Caesar A French Gentleman was one Day speaking advantagiously of the Free Genteel Humour of his Countrymen to an Italian and said that there was no Nation could deny but that the French were the most tractable and sincere People in the World to which the Italian answered that the thing from which he pretended to draw all his Advantages passed with them for a weakness and an effect of their imprudence I don't admire replied the French-man coldly that you make so disadvantagious a Judgment of our best Qualities because your Politicks believe that without being a Cunning Knave one can never make a Gallant Man As to the Persons of this People they are commonly of a Middle Stature and for the most part of a slight making their Complexion being generally hot and moist which makes them very subject to the heats of Lust and easily inclinable to those Diseases which are its Concomitants Their chief Exercises are Tennis and Dancing Exercise to the last of which they are so generally affected that were it noâ— so much exclaimed against by their rigid Ministers it is thought that many more of the French Catholicks had been of the Reformed Religion For so extreamly are they bent upon this Diversion that no interruption whatsoever neither Age Sickness nor even Poverty shall retain their Heels when they hear the Musick Their Language is very smooth and pleasant Language but rather Elegant than Copious and therefore much troubled for want of Words to find out Periphrases besides that a great deal of it is expressed in the Action the head and Shoulders move as significantly towards it as the Lips and Tongue and he that pretends to speak it with a good grace must have somewhat in him of the Buffoon It is enriched with variety of Proverbs which is a great help to the French Humour of Scoffing a Language so naturally disposed for Courtship as makes all the people Complemental The Laws of this Kingdom are either Temporary Laws and alterable at pleasure or Fundamental which neither King nor parliament as they say can alter Of this last fort the Principal are the Salick Law and the Law of Apennages By the Salick Law the Crown of France may not descend unto the Females or fall from the Launce to the Distaff as their Saying is which Law one undertaking to justify out of Holy Writ urged that Text of St. Matthew where it is said Mark the Lillies which are the Arms of France and see how they neither labour nor spin By that of the Apennage the younger Sons of the King are not to have a share in the Kingdom with their Elder brother which Law was made by Charles the Great before whose time we find the Children of the Kings stated in their several Thrones and the Realm divided amongst them into many Kingdoms But by this Law they are to be entituled to some Dutchy or County with all the Rights and proâ—ts belonging thereto all matters of Regality as Levying Taxes Coynage and the like excepted only which upon the failing of the Masculine Line return again to the Crown The Name thereof derived from Abannage a German Word signifying a Portion The King of France has the Titlâ— of Most Christian King and Eldeâ— Son of the Church the Eldest Son oâ— the king is called the Dauphin and iâ— the presumptive Heir of the Kingdomâ— The Dutchies of Orleans Anjou Alencon and Berry as also the Earldom oâ— Evreux have been the ordinary Titles of the other Sons of France The number of the Peers of France formerly consisted but of Twelve viz. The Archbishop and Duke of Rheims The Bishop and Duke of Lâon The Bishop and Duke of Langres The Bishop and Earl of Beauvais The Bishop and Earl of Noyon The Bishop and Earl of Chaalons The Duke of Burgundy The Duke of Guyenne The Duke of Normandy The Earl of Toulouse The Earl of Champagne The Earl of Flanders The Six First were Ecclesiasticks and the rest Laicks each with his particular Function The Institution of these Twelve peers is attributed by some to Charlemain by others to Hugues-Capet the Number of them is at present no more in use except on the Coronation-day and that of the Laick Peers is much greater than it was France is governed by an Absolute King Government The Crown is hereditary to his Family and is so far Particular that the Legitimate Males alone can pretend to it by the Institution of the Salick Law which absolutely excludes Females as we have intimated before One may reckon at present Twelve Paliaments in the States of France since the Conquest of the French County One may also reckon Twenty Three Generalties or Offices of the Exchequer Twenty Five Mints and Fourteen Universities Whose Seats I shall observe in the particular Discourse of each City where they are established It is pretended that the Parliament of Paris was Instituted by Pepin Paris Father of Charlemagne and that it was ambulatory till Philip the Fair made it fixt in 1302. The Courts of Justice of the Isle of France Champagne the whole Government of Orleanois and all Lyonois are under its Jurisdiction That of Toulouse Toulouse was Instituted bâ— the same Philip the Fair in the samâ— Year and was not fixed till under Charleâ— the Seventh in 1443. That of Rouen Rouen was Instituted by thâ— same Charles the Seventh in the samâ— Year and was fixed in 1503. undeâ—
Country and remarkable for the notable Resistance it made against the whole Forces of Lewis the Thirteenth in the last Civil Wars concerning Religion It is about 37 Miles from Arles 5â— from Orange and 60 from Narbon Lon. 22.52 Lat. 43.8 Le Puy IS accounted the greatest City of Languedoc after Toulouse The Bishop who stiles himself Earl of Vellay where of it is Capital depends immediately oâ— the Pope and is subordinate to 〈◊〉 Archbishop It stands on the River Loyre about 30 Miles from Mende 56 from Viviers and 68 from Lyons Lon. 22.58 Lat. 44.33 Mende and Viviers in the Province of les Cevennes are remarkable for nothing but their Episcopal Sees the Bishops whereof are stiled Earls 11. Of the Government of DAUPHINE THis Province which made part of the ancient Allobroges was afterwards comprised in the Kingdom of Burgundy which Charlemagne joyned to the other Members of France The Emperor Henry the Fourth being at Variance with Pope Gregory the Seventh was so persecuted by his own Children that divers Lords taking the Advantage of their Divorce and deriding him as a deprived King carried away each a Piece of this Kingdom Oâ—â—o Earl of Flanders had Franche-County Berald of Saxoâ—y possessed himself of Savoy Provence fell to Bâ—enger and Dauphiné to the Occupation of Guigue le Gras who gave to it this Name Name upon the account of Dauphin Earl of Viennois whose Daughter had espoused his Son It should be incongruous methinks Original of the Name of Dauphin to intimate here the original of the Name of Dauphin which has been the Title of the Eldest Son of France for above 300 Years Imbert or Humbert Earl Dauphin of Viennois having lost his Son in the faral Battel of Crecy and unhappily let his last Child fall out of a Window of which he dyed seeing himself insulted by Amedée Earl of Savoy his irreconcilable Foe and finding himself unable to resist him resolved to procure him a more powerful Neighbour For this effect he offered his Country to Philip of Valois King of France for him and his Successors upon condition that the Eldest Son of France should bear the Title of Dauphin and that his Armâ— should be quartered with those oâ— France Which Proposal was accepted of by the King to the great Displeasure of the Savoyard So Charles the Fifth the Grand-Son of Philip was the first that bore the Name of Dauphin in the Year 1350. Dauphiné extends it self from East to West Extent about 129 English Miles from Pignerol to Valence And 111 from North to South from Lanieu upon the Rhône in Bresse to le Buis in las-Baronnies It is bounded in the North by Bresse and Savoy Bounds In the East by Piémont In the South by Provence And in the West 't is separated by the Rhône from Languedoc and Lyonnois The Soil Quality although very Mountainous produces excellent Wine and very good Corn in some Places as in those Parts about Greenoble and Die and along the Rhône but in general it brings forth Rye Oats Barley and a little Wine There is one thing here particular enough in respect of a certain Holâ— which is in a great Rock near Nions There goes out a Wind which one is scarce sensible of when near it and even boisterous at 20 or 30 Paces distance It s greatest Rivers are the Isere Rivers which receives the Drac below Grenoble and the Durance which takes its Rise from hence and runs toward Provence Dauphine is divided into Upper and Lower The First Division which is towards the East comprehends Gresivaudan Diois lés-Baronies Gapensois Ambrunois and Briansonois The other which extends it self towards the West along the Rhône comprises Viennois Valentinois and Tricastin Grenoble UPon the River Isere in Gresivandan is the Capital City of the whole Country in Latin Gratianopolis the chief Seat heretofore of the Accusiani 'T is a very ancient populous and well-built City embellished by the Emperour Gratian who gave it its Name It is much resorted to by the Noblity upon the account of the Court of parliament erected here in the Year 1453. It has been an Episcopal See for above 1200 Years and has besides a Generality and a Mint Equally distant viz. abou 30 Miles from Vienné Die and Valence Lon. 25.4 Lat. 44.54 Ambrun THE Capital of Ambruncis an Arch-Bishops See seated upon a very high Rock in the midst of a pleasant Valley surrounded with Mountains under which runs the River Durance The Arch-Aishop here shares the Jurisdicton with the King insomuch that their Judges in the Bayliwick are alternative The hilly Country hereabouts is the highest of France About 48 Miles from Pignerol 46 from Susa c. Lon. 26.5 Lat. 44.10 Vienne SEated upon the Rhône is a famous and very ancient City as one may see by divers Monuments of Antiquity whose Vestigia are still in being It is honoured with an Archiepiscopal See and a Bayliwick It had a Bridge over the Rhône which is broken and whose Passage is very dangrrous for Boats It is situated in the lower Dauphiné and stands about 17 M. from Lyons 43 from Grenoble and 68 from Geneva Lon. 14.8 Lat. 45.7 Valence UPon the River Rhône is a handsome and populous City the Capital of Valentinois Its Bishoprick is united to that of Die The Bishop qualifies himself Bishop and Earl of Valence and Die and the Bayliwick is depending upon this Prelate It has given honorary Title to two Persons of more Fame than Honour The first of which was Caesar Borgia the Son of Pope Alexander the Sixth who was made Duke of Valentinois by Charles the Eighht The other Madam Diana the Mistress of Henry the Second who governed the Affairs of France under him and honoured with the Title of Dutchess hereof About 38 Miles from Vienne and 43 from Grenoble Lon. 27.12 Lat. 44.32 Brianson THE Capital of Briansonpis is seated upon a very high Mountain It is a Bishops See and a Bayliwick It stands about 22 Miles from Ambrun and 36 from Pignerol Lon. 26.22 Lat. 44.30 Saint-Pol-Trois-Châteaux is the Capital of Tricastin It is a flourishing City seated in the lower Dauphiné upon an advanced Cliff near the Rhône It is a Bishops See who stiles himself Earl under the Arch-Bishop of Arles It stands about 16 Miles from Orange and 72 from Grenoble Lon. 24.2 Lat. 43.53 Gap THe Capital of Gapensois is adorned with an Episcopal See and a Bayliwick It s Bishop is qualified Earl It has a very strong and noble Cittadel It stands about 18 Miles from Ambrun and 23 from Sisteron Lon. 25.40 Lat. 44.6 Die upon the Drome was an ancient Colony of the Romans heretofore the See of a particular Bishop but at present joyned to that of Valence It is seated in the lower Dauphiné and stands about 36 Miles from Grenoble Le Buis upon the Aurese is the Principal City of les Barronies and a Bayliwick 12. Of the Government of PROVENCE THis
Province made part of Gaul Narbonois and was the First Conquest of Caesar in Gaul He called it the Province 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by excellency Name over the other Parts which he had reduced under the Obedience of the Romans It was the First of the ancient Kingdom of Burgundy some of whose Kings have born the particular Title of Kings of Arles It extends it self from East to West above 150 Miles Extent from the Mouth of the Var to the Rhône And from South to North near 120. From the Cape Ceerchiez towards Toulon as far as the Durance 9 Miles beyond Ambrun It is bounded in the North by Dauphine in the East in part by Piemont Bounds from which it is divided by the Alps and the County of Nice and in part by the Mediterranean Sea In the South by the same Sea and in the West by the Rhône which separates it from Languedoc The whole is much of the same nature with Languedoc Quality but is one part thereof to wit between Marseilles and Arles different from all the rest of France By the French usually called le Crau by the elder Writers Campi Lapidei because all in a manner overspread with Stones In this Province is said to be made the best Oyl of the Kingdom and very good Salt at Berre and Pecais Besides the Rhône Rivers one observes amongst its Rivers the Durance which receives the Verdon and the Hubaye the Argens the Var and the Arc which take their Original all Three from hence Here are also several Gulphs as that of Marseille Hyeres Grimaut Lerins c. Between la Crau and the Durance is to be found Five or Six Lakes The Mouths or Channels of the Rhône are called Graus in the Language of the Country Upon the Coasts one meets with the Iâ—ands of Martegue Pomegue Hyeres or Stecades the Isles of Lerins in their Gulf which were heretofore renowned by the Conquest which the late Earl of Harcourt made here with a handful of Men. Although Provence is divided into Vpper Middle and Lower Division yet it will be better distinguished by its Diocesses which I will endeavour to put in the easiest order imaginable First of all in the Middle one finds the Diocesses of Aix Riez Senez and Digne the First about the Durance the other Three about the Verdun in ascending to its Spring which is in the last Upon the Coasts the Diocesses of Arles Marseille Toulon Trejuls Grace and Vence which are to be met with thus in order going from West to East The Diocess of Glandeve is about the Var. Towards the North those of Sisteron and Apt with the County of Venaissin with the Principality of Orange Aix Near the little River of Arc is the Metropolis of Provence and was that of Narbonensis Secunda and at that time called Aquae Sextiae from Cajus Sextius who brought hither a Roman Colony and the Hot Baths here It is now and has been of a long time an Archbishops See and adorned with a Court of Parliament for this Country An. 1501. also a Generality and a Mint It is a very neat and populous City memorable in History for the great Defeat of the Cimbri by C. Marius Eâ victoriâ visus meruisse ne ejus nati Rempublicam poeniteret by this Victory and this alone obliging the Romans as Vellejus has it not to be sorry for his Birth About 14 Miles from Marseille and 36 from Toulon Lon. 24.40 Lat. 43.4 Arles UPon the Rhône by Ausonius called the Rome of France and in those times so highly valued that Constantinus Flavius being chosen Emperor by the British Legions in the declining times of the Western Empire designed to have made it his Imperial Seat It is a very ancient City where the Romans established their Sixth Colony It has yet the Remainders of an Amphitheatre an Obelisk all of Stone and some other Monuments It s Bridge of Boats over the Rhône passes for a very Noble Work It has a low and marshy Situation which natural Strength seconded by the new Works of King Henry the Fourth have made it one of the most assured Bulworks of France on this side the Kingdom It has been the Regal Seat of the French Kings of Burgundy who from hence were stiled Kings of Arles Between this City and the Sea but on the other side of the River runs a deep Channel cut with infinite Charge and Industry by C. Marius for Conveyance of Victuals into his Camp in his War against the Cimbri before mentioned It is an Archbishops See c. about 44 Miles from Aix as many from Marseilles and 16 from Nîmes Lon. 33.38 Lat. 43.5 Marseille A Known Port on the Mideterranean and a very ancient City which flourished in the time of Caesar by whom it was forced and made a Colony It was governed as a Republick and had a famous Academy It is an Episcopal See and one of the Admiralty It s Port passes for one of the securest of the Mediterranean See the Ships of France retire hither for the mosh part 't is a place of the greatest Resort by the Levantins and has a very considerable Traffick For which reason it must be very populous It stands about 14 Miles from Aix 38 from Toulon and 44 from Arles Lon. 24.35 Lat. 42.47 Coulon IS also an Episcopal City by Ptolemy called Tauroentium and by some Tholone beautified with a fair and capacious Haven one of the best of the Mediterranean which serves also for a Retreat to the French Ships of War Gallies and many other Vessels It is well stored with Oyl great quantity of Salt conveyed hither from the Isle of Ere 's about 9 Miles off and a sort of Almonds called Provence Almonds made by this means one of the most frequented Ports of the Miditerranean About 38 Miles from Marseilles 43 from Aix c. Lon. 25.22 Lat. 42.34 Salon A Little City which is renowned for being the Birth-place of the famous Nostradamus whose Tomb is still to be seen here enclosed in the Wall of the Church with his Pourtraiture upon it Of the County of VENAI SIN THis Country has been in the Dependance of the Holy See ever since the Year 1228. Pope Clement the Fourth having translated the Pontifical See to Avignon in the Year 1305. Clement the Sixth purchased this City 38 Years after together with the County and his Successors made their Peaceble Residence here to the year 1380. when Gregory the Eleventh returned again to Rome Avignon UPon the Rhône is the Capital of the County the ordinary Seat of the Popes Vice-Legat an Archbishop aâ— Inquisition and an University In this City are said to be Seven Palaces Seven Parish-Churches Seven Monasteries Seven Nunneries Seven Inns and Seven Gates There is one thing remarkable in Relation to this City and very necessary to be known by Travellers which is very incommodious about Avignon Namely that the Gates of this City are exactly shut at Sun-set
it exceeding pleasant and the Inhabitants have the glory of making the best Compasses and most exact Quadrants of the World as also all other Instruments necessary to Astrology as well as the Sea It is about 35 Miles from Roüen and 62 from Hastings in England Lon. 20.4 Lat. 49.59 Havre de Grace HAvre de Grace is a Fortress built by Francis the First to oppose the English and to make a Haven of to serve as a Retreat for the Merchants of the Nation and a Magazine of Ships of War 'T is said that it is capable of holding 2000 Sail and more if so it must be one of the most considerable Ports in Europe It has a strong Castle and stands nigh the Mouth of the River Seine about 48 Miles from Roüen Lon. 28.44 Lat. 44.42 Bayeux BAieux the Civitas Baiocassium of Antoninus remarkable of a long time for a Bishops See One of the Bishops whereof called Odo Brother to William the Conqueror by the Mothers side was by him created Earl of Kent and afterwards upon some displeasure made Prisoner for which when reprimanded by the Pope the Clergy being then exempted from the Secular Authority he returned this Answer that he had committed the Earl of Kent not the Bishop of Baieux by which distinction he avoided the Pope's Displeasure It stands nigh the Sea about 16 Miles off Caen 45 off Coutances and 84 off Roüen Lon. 17.49 Lat. 49.28 Coutances COutances and Auranches are both memorable upon the account of their Episcopal Sees from the former the Country thereabouts hath the Name of Coutantin The latter is Situate upon a Rock with a fair prospect over the English Channel within 28 Miles of each other The Lon. of the former is 16.45 the Lat. 49.9 Evreux EVreux and Lisieux are Bishops Sees the former being the Mediolanium of Ptolomy and still a rich and flourishing Town being the Third in estimation of all this Province The First is about 27 Miles from Roüen and 58 from Paris The last about 45 from Roüen and Evreux Seez also is an Episcopal See and stands on the Fountains of the River Orne about 13 Miles from Alenson 33 off Lisieux and 64 off Roüen The Lon. of the former is 20.4 Lat. 49.2 What the Revenues of this Dukedom might amount to in former times is not easie to affirm That they were very fair and large appears by the Testimony of Philip de Comines who says that he had seen raised in Normandy 95000 l. Sterling which was a Prodigious Sum of Mony in those times Now they amount to as much as the King's Toll-Masters are pleased to exact 3. Of the Isle of FRANCE IF this Government is the least exteâ—sive of the Twelve which we haâ—â— observed in the Division of France yâ—â— it is without contradiction the most aâ—â—vantagious and charming not only uâ—â— on the account of its natural Beauâ—â— and the stately Houses of Pleasure whiâ—â— are to be met with therein but also 〈◊〉 the advantage of enjoying for the mâ—â— part the Presence of the King aâ—â— Court The Isle of France to speak wiâ—â— propriety is comprised between the Pâ—â— vers of Seine Marne Oise and Aisneâ— but there is added to in some parts 〈◊〉 the adjoyning Provinces whereof iâ— Government is composed to accompanâ— somewhat better the Metropolis of thâ— Kingdom It is 〈◊〉 the Isle of Francâ— to distinguish it from the main Contâ—nent of 〈◊〉 and is made to extenâ— 10 〈…〉 from East to West viz. fro◠〈…〉 upon the Aisne to Gisonâ— and as many from North to South from beyond Noyon to Courteny in Gâ—stinois It is bounded on the North with Picardy Bounds on the East with Champagne and la Brie on the South with Gastinois and la Beausse and on the West with Normandy The Soil is very Fruitful in excellent Corn Soil and produces a sufficient quantity of Wine and Fruits A Country generally very Delectable and so Fertile withal that the Hills are equal to the Vallies in most Places of Europe Amongst the Rivers are remarked the Seine which receives the Marne Rivers and the Oise which is encreased by the Waters of the Aisne which runs by Soissons and the Terrain which washes the Walls of Beauvais It was formerly part of the Province of Belgica Secunda and Lugdunensis quarta Division and is now divided into Four parts namely 1. The Dukedom of Valois 2. Gastinois 3. Heurepois and 4. That which is properly called the Isle of France by some the County of Paris Paris PAris in the Isle of France properly so called is the Metropolis not only of this Government but of the whole Kingdom It is in Compass about Eighâ— Miles of an Orbicular Form agreeablâ— seated on the Divisions of the Seine a Fair Large and Populous City but faâ— short of the Ostentations of the French one of whose Authors coming to mention London says that it is with as Emphasis as large as Paris the Suburâ— comprehended Whereas if the trutâ— were impartially delivered Londâ—â— would be found to exceed the other 〈◊〉 was thought in Lewis the Eleventh time time to contain 500000 People 〈◊〉 all sorts of Ages which must be considerably encreased since that Kingâ— time The Fortifications are of nâ— good assurance insomuch that when once a Parisian bragg'd that their Town was never taken by Force an English-Man replied that the reason of iâ— was because on the least Calamity iâ— used to Capitulate It has the conveniency of Boats and Barges served by the River Seine as the Thame Westward doth London It has anâ— Arch-Bishop and an University of great repute consisting of 52 Colledges whereof 40 are of little use It is aâ— Parliament City and the usual Seat of the French King when absent from Versailles It is about 170 Miles from Antwerp 208 from London 250 from Amsterdam 600 from Vienna Lon. 21.30 Lat. 48.45 Soissons THE City of Soissons is very ancient and was heretofore of great Repute It is seated upon the River Aisne in a very agreeable Plain encompassed with Fruiful Mountains Ptolomy calls it Augusta Suessonum and before him Caesar in his Commentaries speaks of Galba one of its Kings and says that in his time it was very powerful commanded Twelve Cities and could set our an Army of 50000 Men. It is easie to judge that it was the most considerable of Gaul Belgick since the Praetors made it their residing Place It is a Bishops See a Generality a Bayliwick a Presidial c. about 28 Miles from Rheims 33 off St. Quintin and 48 off Paris Lon. 22.32 Lat. 49.19 Laon. LAon is an Episcopal City the Bishop whereof is one of the Twelve Peers of France and Earl of Laon in Latin Laodunum situated upon a Mountain of difficult access about 24 Miles from Rheims 15 from Soissons and 66 from Paris Long. 22.48 Lat. 49.30 Noyon near the River Oyse Beauvais upon the Terrain and Senlis on the River Nonette are also Bishops Sees 4. Of the
the Loire is the chief The Indre the Cher and Vienne swell'd with the Waters of the Creuse come to discharge themselves here between Monsoreau and Langest iâ— Touraine The Mayne after having receiv'd the Loire joyned to the Sarte beâ—low Anger 's discharges it self also above this City The Charante takes its Rise in Angoumoy which it waters with a part of its Course after having passed in a corner of Poitou Here is observed 13 or 14 Countries or principal Provinces Division whereof Four one finds on this side the Loire seated in the following order going from West to East le Maine le Perch the upper Beausse or Country of Chartres and part of Gastinois Five upon the Loire in following its Course Nivernois Orleanois or Lower Beausse Blaisois Touraine and Anjou Fore beyond the same River viz. Berry Poitou with the Country of Aunis and Angoumois which is yet more advanced towards the South Orleans SItuated upon the River Loire is the chief City of this Government It is very Beautiful of great Trade and was heretofore the Metropolis of a Kingdom that bore its Name It used to be the Residence of Strangers who were drawn hither by the Magnetick Courtesie of the Inhabitants and the Politeness of the Language they speak here which is as highly esteemed as the Castilian is in Spain the Tuscan in Italy And as the Attick Tongue was formerly in Grecce It is a Bishops See who at his first Entrance has a Priviledge to examine and pardon Offenders Five National Councils have been held here It has a Bayliwick and a very ancient presidial See but its Generality is Modern It likewise has a famous University Three memorable Sieges which it happily sustained has made it renowned in History Under the Title of a Dutchy it is the Appennage of the Second Son of France About 68 Miles from Paris Lon. 20.42 Lat. 47.44 Nevers FOrmerly called Noviodunum Aduâ—rum the Capital of Nivernois is so commodiously Situated that Julius Caesar chose it to make a Garrison of and a Magazine It shews no less Antiquity in its Churches than in its Walls and although it has no Suburbs it contains notwithstanding Eleven Parishes It has a Noble Castle Ditches full of Water and a Stone Bridge composed of 20 Arches over the River Loire which receives the Nievre in this place They have in their Neighbourhood the conveniency of the Medicinal Waters of Pougues which is a Town where several Parsons go for the Advantage of their Healths and where the most substantial Men of the Province have built stately Houses for that purpose It has a Bishop and was erected into a Duchy by Francis the First About 30 Miles from Moulins 80 form Orleans and 125 from Paris Lon. 22.2 Lat. 40.44 Tours THe City of Tours heretofore Caesarodunum pleasantly seated upon the Loire the Capital of Tourane is without contradiction one of the first of France if one considers its Situation and its Prerogatives Under the Roman Emperors it was the Metropolitan of the third Lyonoise in Celtick Gaul Its Archbishop has for Suffragans the Bishop of Anger 's that of Mans and all those of Bresagne It has a Generality a Presidial and a Mint The Silk-Trade which they drive here is very advantagious to them About 48 Miles from Poitiers 60 from Orleans and 115 from Rennes and Paris Lon. 19.18 Lat. 47.23 Anger 's THe Capital City of Anjou seated upon the Mayenne between its Mouth in the Loire and its Confluence with the Sarte joyned to the Loire It has a considerable Castle and the Houses covered with which makes it be called the Black Ciâ— It is renowned for its University aâ— the fine Procession upon Christmas-day which every Year draws many Stranâ—ers to this City It has a Bishop undâ—â— the A. of Tours a Bayliwick a Presidial and a Mint About 60 Miles frâ—â— Tours and nigh 160 from Paris Lon. 17.48 Lat. 47.27 Poitiers THe Capital of Poitou upon the River Claiâ— is one of the largest 〈◊〉 the Kingdom for it yields to none bâ— Paris in bigness It contains a great many of the Roman Antiquities 25 Parishes and is adorned with an Episcopaâ— See under the A. of Bourdeax a Generality Mint and an University famous for the Civil Law The Batteâ— of Poitiers was very unlucky to thâ— French and the English were doublâ— Victorious by the taking of King John Charles the Seventh King of France transferr'd hither the Parliament of Paris which made its Residence here for the space of 18 Years during the English Wars About 48 Miles from Tours â—5 from Rochelle 94 from Orleans Lon. â—9 00 Lat. 46.34 Man 's THe Capital City of Maine is most agreeably seated upon the Sarte â—arge ancient and very populous with the Title of a Bishoprick under the A. of Tours It is observed from this City that the English laying Siege to it in the Year 1425. first put in use the great Artillery which had not as yet been seen in France About 48 Miles from Tours 52 from Anger 's and 78 from Orleans Lon. 18.42 Lat. 48.5 Nogent-le-Rotrou passes for the Capital of Perch and yet is but a Burrough-Town but one of the finest Burroughs of all France and very rich upon the account of its Manufacture of Serge Linnen c. About 37 Miles from Mans as many from Alenson and 30 from Vendôme Chartres UPon the Eure is the Capital of â—ausse and the Country of Chartrâ— It once had its particular Kings aâ— has now the Title of a Dutchy aâ— preserves the Ruins of a Temple buâ— before the Nativity of Jesus Chriâ— 'T is said the City was built before 〈◊〉 Deluge and 't was there the Druids 〈◊〉 ciently Assembled It s Cathedral Churcâ— which is a Bishops See passes for oâ— of the Ancientests of Christendom thâ— two Bells whereof are the finest and thâ— largest in France The Bishop has moâ— Parishes in his Jurisdiction than any 〈◊〉 ther of the Kingdom About 42 Milâ— from Paris and 43 from Orleans Lon. 20.23 Lat. 46.26 Bourges THis City is the Capital of Berry Caesar speaks of it as a very ancienâ— and powerful City under the Name oâ— Avaricum Biturigum seated upon thâ— River Eure. It has seven great Gateâ— as many Suburbs 17 Parishes and a â—reat number of other Churches It is â—onoured with an Archbishoprick an University a Generality a Bayliwick â— Presidial See and a Mint It s Archâ—ishop qualifies himself Patriach and â—rimat of Aquitain but that of Bourâ—eaux disputes this Title with him It 〈◊〉 about 35 Miles from Nevers 55 from â—rleans and 80 from Tours Lon. 21.14 Lat. 40.55 Rochelle THe Country of Aunis has nothing recommendable but Rochelle which is the Capital thereof It has an Episcopal See a Presidial and a Mint A City naturally strong by reason of the Marshes But it s noble Fortifications are absolutely resed It was often besieged taken and retaken by the English and French But the most memorable Siege that ever was laid
Of the Government of LANGUEDOC CAEsar after the Conquest of Provence still advances into Gaul distinguishâ—d the Province which we call Langueâ—oc by the Name of Gaul Narbonoise â—n the declining of the Empire it was â—surped upon the Romans by the Goths who gave it the Name of Gothia establishing therein the Kingdom of the Visigoths whereof Toulouse was the Capital and which was absolutely extinguished since Charles Martel Some Authors pretend and not without cause that Languedoc took its Denomination from the Goths who reigning long in the Country left behind them a smack of their Language and therefore it was called Languegotia Name and now Euphoniae gratiâ termed Languedotia or Languedoc that is the Goths Language Ortelius conjectures this to be the reason whereas the other French-men in an Affirmation say Oüy these of this Country say Oc and therefore called Languedoc The Government of Languedoc Extent which comprehends les Cevennes extends it self from East to West about 210 Mileâ— And near 240 from South to North-Eâ—â— from Aiqs in the Earldom of Foix â— Annonay towards Lyonnois The Rhône separates it towards thâ— East from Dauphine and Province Bounds â—onnis Auvergne Roüergue and Querâ— bound it towards the North Gascogâ— that is to say Armagnac and le Coming towards the West and Catalonia witâ— the Mediterranean Sea towards the Soutâ— Languedoc passes for one of the moâ—â— agreeable and fertile Provinces of thâ— Kingdom having the Advantages oâ— Olives Raisons Figs Oranges and other Fruits not ordinary but here and in the adjoyning Province Quality The People have somewhat in them of the ancienâ— Goths and come nearer to the Humonâ— of the Spaniards than any other of the French as being esteemed very devour great Boasters of themselves affecting Gallantry above their Estates not caring how they pinch it on Workydays or at home in private provided they may make a Figure in the Street and be fine on Holydays The Temper of the Women too but in them 't is more excusable The Soil of Cevennes is very mounâ—â—inous and infertile in many places â—n others it poduces Wine Millet Ches-â—uts and other Fruits It s greatest Ferâ—ility is in Pasturage which makes the Country abound in Cattel especially in â—heep and Mules Here is a great store of Wildsowl c. Besides the Rhône which I have alâ—eady mentioned there are several other Rivers amongst which one observes the Tarn which passes by Montauâ—an and mingles its Waters with those of the Garomne beyond Moissac The Ariege the Aude which passes by Careassone in which the Tresquel discharges it self which is joyned by a Canal with the little Lers which goes to discharge it self into the Garomne 'T is the Canal of Languedoc which has been so much talkt of for the Communication of the two Seas the Ocean and the Mideterranean Mr. Du Val has made a particular Map thereof Languedoc is divided into upper and lower the one towards the West Division and the other towards the East upon the Mideterranen Sea The first comprehends Toulousan Albigeois Lauragais and the Earldom of Foix. The other is distinguished into Three Parts to wâ—â— Narbonne Beziers and Nismes which are to be found thus in order going from West to East Les Cevennes which is seated to the North of the Lower Languedoc is also distinguished into Three Countries which are Gevaudan Vivarais and Vellay The First is towards the West the Second towards the East along the Rhône and the Last to the North of these Two Cholouse SEated upon the Garomne is the Capital City of this Government It passes for one of the ancientest and finest Cities of all France It was the Seat of the ancient Tectosages whâ— made so many Conquests in Asia and Greece It was one of the Colonies oâ— the Romans and since that Capital of the Kingdom of the Visigoths and afterwards that of Aquitain then of a particular and very powerful County whose Titular was Peer of France It is now adorned with an Archiepiscopal See a Parliament a Seneschalsey a Generality a Mint and a University It enjoys several Monuments of Antiquity as a Capitol an Amphitheatre Aqueduct ancient Temples and many other Curiosities several Churches here and most part of the Houses are built with Brick It is about 21 Miles from Montauban 42 from Aux and 54 from Chaors Lon. 19.48 Lat. 43.29 Alby SEated upon the Tarn is the Capital of Albigeois It was erected but of late to an Archbishoprick by Pope Innocent the Eleventh It s Archbishop is Lord of the City Remarkable in Church-History for those great Opposites to the Corruptions and Errors of the Church of Rome called the Albigenses against whom the War was made under Philip Augustus Loüis the Eighth and Saint-Loüis It stands about 35 Miles from Rodes and 42 from Toulouse Lon. 20.40 Lat. 43.43 Narbon SEated on the Mouth of the River Aude the first Roman Colony after Carthage out of Italy This Narbon was in the Infancy of the Roman Empire the greatest and most populous Town of all France Insomuch that from it all this part was called Galliâ— Narbonensis a Province of which Plinâ— afforded us this Censure that for Fettility of Soil and Civility of People it was inferiour to none in the Roman Empire It had formerly a Capitol an Amphitheatre and several ancient Monuments whose Remainders are to be seen at this day It is an Archbishops See who presides over the States of Languedoc and is at present well Fortified as a Town of War frontiering Catalonia and the Land of Rousillon It is about 35 Miles from Perpignan 60 from Mompelier and 88 from Toulouse Lon. 21.35 Lat. 42.48 Nimes IN Latin Nemausus anciently a Roman Colony now a Bishops See where there remain some Marks of the Roman Greatness especially the Ruins of a spacious Palace built by the Emperor Adrian It was very much esteemed by the Emperors Between Nîmes and Vsez is to be found the Bridge du Gard upon the River Gardon which passes in this place betwixt two Mountains which are joyned by this Bridge 'T is one of the noblest Monuments that is left us of the Romans It has Three Stories of Arches one upon another and the last was an Aqueduct It s Structure imprints Horror and Respect at the same time Nîmes stands about 18 Miles from Arles 22 from Avignon and 24 from Mompelier Lon. 22.25 Lat. 43.16 Mompelier THis City was scarce any thing 700 Years ago but now 't is one of the fairest of France seated on a high Mountain as the Name imports some 12 Miles distant from the Sea It is honoured with an Episcopal See a Generality a Mint a Presidial and a famous University where Physick holds the first Rank and for that very happily seated the Country round about affording great variety of Medicinal Herbs The Royal Garden of Plants is a great Curiosity Of late one of the strongest Holds which those of the Reformed Religion possessed in this
Neither is there any Sububs or place of Entertainment hereabouts no Farmer daring to sell a Taste of Wine It is about 16 Miles from Orange 20 from Arles and 40 from Aix Lon. 23.54 Lat. 43.22 Orange WIth the Title of Principality is a very ancient City where was the Second Colony of the Romans It is an Episcopal See an University which would by right appertain to King William the Third but now to the French King It is famous for many rare Antiquities Marks of the Romany Grandeur but of most note in Church-History for a Council held here against the Semi-Pelagians in the Year 444 called Arausic anum It stands on the River Ligne about 47 Miles from Aix 55 from Mompelier and 105 from Lyons Lon. 24.3 Lat. 43.37 13. Of LORRAIN THis Province was the Southern part of the Kingdom of Austrasy whose Name it bore and which Lotharius Name Second Son of Lotharius the Emperor changed into that of Lother-Reich from whence comes the World Lorrain Charles his yougest Brother thinking that he had not justly dealt with him in the Division of his Territories cast himself into the Arms of the Emperor Otho who protected him against Lotharius and gave him the Investiture of Lorrain with the Title of Duchy upon condition notwithstanding that it should depend upon the Empire Thus Charles made himself German and renounced France against which he proceeded with so much Animosity that the States of this Kingdom looking upon him not only as a Stranger but as an odious Enemy excluded him from the Crown after the Death of Loüis called le Faineant his Nephew and elected in his place Hugh-Capet Mayor of the Palace and Earl of Paris the Chief of the Race of the Present Kings It extends it self from the 27th Degree 30 Minutes of Longitude to the 29th Extent and from the 47th 30 Min. of Latitude as far as the 49th 40 Min. insomuch that it may have from East to West about 120 Miles from beyond Biche to the River Aisne beyond Saint Menehou and near 180 from South to North from the Mount of Forks to beyond St. Vendel It is bounded on the North with Luxemburgh and the Diocess of Triers Bounds on the East with Alsatia and the Palatinate of the Rhine on the South with Franche-County and with Champagne on the West The Air is temperate enough the Soil sufficiently fruitful in Corn Wine Hemp Quality and Pasturage It affords also divers Metals as Silver Copper Tin Iron Lead and in some places Pearls Cattel and wild-Fowl are also very common here There are your Salt-Houses which bring a very considerable Revenue The Rivers abound with Fish especially with Trouts The Lake of Lindre is said to be 14 miles in compass which produces wonderful Carps some of them three Foot long of excellent taste and in so great qantity that it has been farmed at 20000 Livres per annum The Rivers of chief note are Rivers the Mosa Muse or Maes the Mosselle the Sare the Meurte and the Saone which takes its Original from hence This Seat is divided into two Duchies to wit that of Lorrain and that of Bar. The first is towards the East about the Mosselle the Sare and the Meurte the other is towards the West about the River Meuse The Duchy of Lorrain is subdivided into three Bayliwicks namely that of Nancy Vauge and Vaudrevange without comprehending the three Bishopricks of Metz Toul and Verdun which don 't properly depend upon Lorrain but are still enclosed within it Nancy NEar the River Meurte is the Capital of the Province It is not very large but has a pleasant and convenient Situation It is divided into the Old and New City both one and t'other were very well fortified after the Modern way As soon as the King had rendred himself Master hereof he demolished its Fortifications but 't is said that he has repaired them since and put them in a much better condition than ever It used to be the Dukes Seat for the most part and famous for the Overthrow which Charles Duke of Burgundy here underwent with the loss of his life It has never a Bishop but here is a Primate who has the Privilege of wearing a Mitre It is about 15 Miles from Toul 27 from Metz and 41 from Verdun Lon. 25.40 Lat. 48.40 Metz BY Ptolemy called Divodurum is a very ancient City seated in a pleasant Plain at the Confluence of the Rivers Moselle and Seille well enough fortified and commanded by a good Cittadel It was in former times the Royal Seat of the Kings of Austrasy from hence called Kings of Metz It is a Bishop's See adorned with a Parliament and Bayliwick established by the late King Lewis the Thirteenth 1633. It was once an Imperial City but is now subject to the French King It is about 26 Miles from Luxembourg 34 from Toul and 78 from Philipsbourg Lon. 25.38 Lat. 49.15 Toul THE Tullum of Ptolemy the Civitas Leucorum of Antoninus so called from the Leuci the Inhabitants of it and the Tract about it It is pleasantly seated on the Moselle and anciently honoured with an Episcopal See It was formerly in the Number of the Imperial Cities of Germany whose Bishop is still subordinate to the Archbishop of Trier◠but is now French It is about 14 Miles from Nancy and 30 from Barle-Du◠Lon. 25.20 Lat. 25.20 Verdun SEated on the River Meuse an ancient Bishops See formerly an Imperial Town but now subject to the French The Bishop whereof as also those of Metz and Toul being the only ones of this Country of Lorrain acknowledge the Archbishop of Triers for their Metropolitan All of them heretofore Imperial Cities but taken by Henry the Second of France Ann. 1552. during the Contests between Charles the Fifth and the Protestant Princes of Germany under pretence of aiding them against the Emperor Since that they have been always under the subjection of France It stands about 30 Miles from Metz and 41 from Nancy Lon. 24.48 Lat. 49.11 Bar-le-Duc a neat and beautiful City Capital of the Duchy of Bar stands on the River Ornaon about 50 Miles from Metz. The late Duke of Lorrain died about three years since and lest a Son the present Duke 14. Of the FRANCHE-COUNTY THis Province is a part of the ancient Cisjurane Burgundy which entred in the dependances of the House of Austria by the means of Mary the Heiress of Burgundy and Wife to the Emperor Maximinian The present King of France who never wanted Pretensions to any thing when he found it consistent with his Ambition and Advantage has taken it twice even with Expedition He restored it once in favour of a Peace say the French Geographers but say they now he keeps it as his Right and Conquest And to demonstrate that it is with Justice pursue they the King of Spain resigned it to him by the Peace of Nimiguen in 1679. It is situated between the 46 and 48th Degree of Latitude and extends it self from the 26.20 Min. of Longitude to the 28.20 Min. insomuch that it may have from South to North about 120 Miles from Chavannes to St. Ann's Mount nigh the River Saone and near 90 from East to West from the River Doux near Franquemont in the Bishoprick of Basle to French-Fountain in Burgundy It is bounded in the North by Lorrain Bounds by Suisserland in the East in the South by Bresse and in the West by the Duchy of Burgundy with Champagne It is very populous and fertile in some places Quality where is produced most excellent Wine Corn and store of Cattle The Country in some parts very Mountainous but those Mountains yield excellent Vineyards and in lieu of a little Barrenness you have an intermixture of most delicious and fruitful Vallies There are here as well as in Lorrain some very considerable Salt-Houses from whence one City has taken its Name One finds herein several Quarries of black Marble Jasper of divers Colours and very fine Alablaster Amongst the great Number of its Rivers Rivers is remarked the Saone the Doux the Longnon and the Louve which are stored with incomparable Fish The Province is divided into Three Bayliwicks That of Vesoul is in the upper part that of Dole in the middle and that of Poligny is in the lower Dole UPon the River Doux is the Capital of the whole Province considerable too for its Riches Strength and Beauty It is very ancient and Charles the Fifth Emperor fortified it after he had rebuilt it almost entirely new Formerly it was an University for the Study of the Civil Laws but now it is devoured as it were by a College of Jesuits who have expresly forbid the People all Protestant Books and even to talk of God either in a good or bad sense So extreamly fearful are they left the Reformed Doctrin should creep in amongst them It was also a Parliament City and once a Baily wick It is about 30 Miles from Dijon 34 from Besancon and 66 from Geneva Longitude 24.44 Latitude 46.54 Besancon UPon the same River is also a ve◠ancient City called by Caesar Vesontio then the chief City of the Sequani as afterwards the Capital of the Province called Maxima Sequanorum and an Archbishops See who stiles himself Prince of the Empire The Fortifications which have been added to it make it very strong by Art and it Situation between two Mountains almost encompassed by the River Doux makes it so by Nature too The Parliament which was a Dole has lately been transferred hither About 51 Miles from Montbeliard 55 East of Dijon 65 from Geneva and 73 from Basil Lon. 25.28 Lat. 47.7 FINIS