built since the Death of Colbert The first Piece that salutes those who descend from the Terrass is the Vase of Latona in the midst of which that Goddess is represented with her Children Apollo and Diana the Peasants metamorphos'd into Frogs are to be seen in several Parts of the Vase and the Borders of it are adorn'd with several Figures of those Animals In the Northern Parterre before the Terrass are two Vases with Tritons and Syrens supporting rich Crowns and spouting Water and at the End of it there is a long Alley that leads to the Canal fenc'd on both sides with Hedge-Rows along which there are several Figures representing the four Seasons four Parts of the World four Ages four kinds of Poesie four Parts of Day and Night and the four Elements All these Figures were design'd by le Brun and made after his Models There is another Alley call'd the Water or Cascade-Alley in the middle of which there is another form'd by two Ranks of complicated Figures representing Cupids young Boys and Girls little Tritons and Terms which are half-body'd Figures without Arms Some of these carry on their Heads great Shells in form of Basons fill'd with Coral and various kinds of Shells and others bear Baskets full of Flowers and several sorts of Fruit. The Water that flows out of these Baskets and Basons in form of a Nape or Table-Cloath gave this Walk the Name by which 't is usually known At the end of this Alley you enter into that of the Pyramide the Fountain so call'd is compos'd of four Basons of white Marble one above another and decreasing gradually according to their height The first contains twelve Feet in Diameter and a Top or Cover of one Piece of Marble being supported by four Tritons greater than the Life and the rest differ only in the bigness of the Figures and Vessels The whole Work is of white Marble saving only the Pedestals which are of coloured Marble The Figures and Ornaments are of Brass and altogether make a Water-work resembling a Table-cloth thro' which the Figures appear The Water is receiv'd below in a great square Bason adorn'd with a Basso-relievo of eight or ten Nymphs bathing themselves who may be seen thro' the Water that covers 'em in the form of a Table-cloth And besides there are other Basso-relievo's representing Rivers Nymphs and Children all as big as the Life and made by Girardon On both sides of the Great Alley there are Groves enclosed with Lattice-Work which are distinguish'd by peculiar Names The first that appears on the Right-hand is the Triumphal-Arch so call'd from the representation of one at the bottom It contains three Portico's with seven Basons above 'em out of which arise as many Water-spouts that fall back into the same Basons and from thence into several others on both sides forming divers Napes or Figures of a Table-cloth And in the midst of the Portico's three Water-Spouts arise out of high Basons and make the same sort of Water-works You ascend to the Portico's by several Steps which are also full of Water-Spouts that fall into a great Bason below On both sides of the Triumphal-Arch there are two Obelisks between as many Scabelons or Pedestals framâ—d like Stools on which there are Basons that spout forth Water Returning from thence you meet with two high Pyramids consisting of several Steps or Degrees and throwing up Water in a square Figure which is divided into several Spouts On both sides of these Pyramids are two other Pedestals or Stools with Basons and Water-Spouts And besides there are two Obelisks one on each side between two Scabelons with Ornaments Basons and Water-Spouts like the first The Fourth Front which faces the Triumphal-Arch is beautifi'd with a great number of Ornaments tho' part of it is taken up with the Entrance into that place For on both sides there are Pedestals with Basons Cascades and Figures representing the Triumphs of France and the part that remains empty is fill'd with Water which mounting up into those void Spaces makes 'em appear like so many Works of Crystal enrich'd with many Ornaments where Gold is not spar'd The whole was design'd by le Nostre Intendant of the Garden of the Tuilleries In your passage from the Triumphal-Arch to the Theatre of Water you meet in the first place with the Fountain of the Dragon in the midst of which there is a Dragon of Brass that spouts Water from several parts of his Body and then with the Bason of Neptune in which the Figure of that Deity is plac'd with all its Attributes or Properties The Theatre of Water derives its Name from the various Figures represented by the Water-Spouts of which 't is full First you perceive three Alleys of Water in form of a Goose-Paw border'd with a Trellis they are on a rising Ground and higher than the part where you stand to view ' em The middle Alley is divided on each side from the other two by a hollow place enclos'd and surrounded with a Trellis and before these Enclosures there are two Basons containing other smaller and higher Basons disposed in such a manner that the Water-Spouts which rise up from 'em fall down again and filling all the Basons makes Napes of Water all around There are like Works beyond the other two Alleys so that each Alley has some of 'em on both sides The middle Alley is higher than the rest containing Cascades that make fourteen or fifteen Napes of Water one above another And both the Cascades and Water-works are form'd by a great number of Water-Spouts which running in five Rows along the whole Alley divide it into six little Alleys At the end of it is a large Bason which takes up the whole Front of the Cascades and receives their Water and below that another Bason fill'd by six great Water-Spouts The other two Alleys have each two Rows of Water-Spouts which divide 'em into three Parts or small Alleys They are in a Bason which is continu'd from one end of the Alleys to the other And since their Situation is sloping by stopping the Course of the Water in several places there are Water-Works in form of a Table-Cloth and Cascades form'd along the Alleys that accompany those of the middle Alley Between the Trellises and the Water-Spouts of all the Three Alleys there are six Rows of small Trees variously cut and representing several Figures And since the Design of the Contrivers was to imitate the Embellishments of Theatres these Water-Spouts undergo five several Changes for they mount up streight at first afterwards they bend into crooked Figures and form Arbors on the In-side and then behind and at last they form Circles before which changing on a sudden appear behind The Marsh of Water is an oblong Square eight Toises broad and twelve long In the middle there is a great Oak-Tree encompass'd with the Representations of all the usual Productions of Fenny-Grounds and the Banks are full of Reeds among which there are
two Diameters and a half distant from the Columns behind they are both crown'd with Entablatures which are only Cornices architrav'd turning on each Pillar and leaning in form of a Plat-band on the Pilasters The Columns and Pilasters are both plac'd on Marble Socles somewhat higher than they are broad and the first are join'd together by Arches adorn'd with their Archivoltes with Heads in their Keys representing the Rural and Marine Deities as the Nymphs Naiads Dryads Hamadryads Sylvans c. The whole is crown'd with a Corinthian Cornice which turning into it-self makes a perfect Circle Above the Cornice is a Socle adorn'd with Gates in Bas-relief and the Socle turning round above each Column bears a Vessel of white Marble carv'd and ending in a Pine-Apple The Triangular Tympans between the Arches are adorn'd with thirty two Bas-reliefs of Children among whom the Sports and Loves are represented The whole Machine is plac'd in a round Bason or Ditch that runs quite round and receives the Water that falls in form of a Table-cloth from thirty one Water-Spouts in a like number of Basons of white Marble each plac'd on a Foot adorn'd with three Corbels The Entrance takes up the place of the thirty second Bason which stands before it in a Nich of Trellis-Work at the meeting of the two Walks that lead to the place The Area in the middle is gravell'd and shut up with five Steps distant about thirteen or fourteen foot from the side of the Ditch and that Interval forms another gravell'd Walk The whole Structure is built of solid white Marble without Incrustation the Wood that surrounds it and the Trellis-Work which adorn the Twigs of the Trees make an excellent Ground for the more distinct view of the Architecture and this piece which was only design'd for Magnificence is no less admir'd for the neatness of the Work than for the richness of the Matter The Water-Gallery is full of Antick Statues that form its Wings at the side of which there are two Rows of Trees so cut as not to obscure or hide the Figures The Statues at the two Ends are not at all bigger than the Life and the Trees are succeeded by two Rows of Water-Spouts At each end of the Gallery there is a great broad Bason into which the Water falls back and the Ends jut out at the middle One of the Basons contains three large Water-Spouts and in the other a small high-rais'd Bason that forms a Water-Work in form of a Table-Cloth The Royal Island is a large Canal in the midst of which there is an Island eight Foot deep and one hundred and sixty foot long and there is another less Canal at the end of this In the place call'd the Branch'd Candlestick the Figure of the Water-Works is exactly suitable to the Name The Hall of Balls is Hexagonal four advanc'd Stairs of four Steps each open a Passage to it and 't is surrounded with a double Ditch full of Water of the same Figure The Banks of the Ditches are cover'd with Shells and there are several Vessels of Porcelain round the third Enclosure that encompasses the Hall Over-against the four Perrons or advanc'd Stairs there are two Cascades and as many Entries There are also six Benches for Seats and this place is cover'd with a Trellis Each of the Cascades consists of seventeen Rows of Basons of Shell-Work rais'd with seven Basons one above another but five of the Rows are compos'd of nine Basons The tops of those that have no Water-Spouts are adorn'd with Vessels of Metal four of which represent the Bacchanalia on Sea and Land These Representations are very suitable to the design'd use of the place for the Dancing-Figures have so natural an Air that 't is impossible to look on 'em without feeling some Motions of Joy Under each Cascade there are large Taper-Candlesticks for the Conveniency of Illuminations in the Evening for the Glittering of the Water contributes very much to please the Eye of the Spectatour The Sides of the two Entries are adorn'd with Hatch'd-Work and on the top with Vessels The last and one of the greatest of these Groves or little Woods is the Labyrinth it contains thirty eight Fountains contriv'd to represent a like number of Aesop's Fables and embellish'd with many Water-Spouts Every Fountain has a Bason in which its proper Fable is represented by Metallic Figures in Relief with Characters declaring the Subject The Ornaments which resemble those of one of the Arches enclos'd in the Hedge-Rows are half-cover'd and environ'd with Leaves and Reeds spouting Water The greatest part of 'em are of Tin or some other convenient Matter as well as the Branches thro' which the Water passes and painted green with so natural a Verdure that they seem to be re-really what they represent till the spurting of the Water undeceives the Spectatour The Name of this Place is a sufficient Indication that 't is full of Windings and variously intermingl'd Walks which are so intricate that those who are engag'd in 'em cannot without some difficulty avoid returning to the same Parts they had already visited The Orange-house is one of the finest Ornaments of Versailles It was design'd by Mansard and is so large and bold a Structure that the World cannot produce a more finish'd Work of that Kind On the left hand 't is expos'd to the South and supports the Earth that encloses a large Parterre which fronts the lateral Face of the Castle and that of the great Isle or Wing This Building consists of a large Gallery 80. Toises long accompany'd by two others turning inwards of 60. Toises each the Breadth of these Galleries on the North-side of the Wall amounts to 38. Feet and their Height to the Scutheon or Key to seven Toises The Vault is divided into as many Parts as there are Cross-works by Branches Ogiv'd or Semi-circular Arches supported by little Buttresses that jut out the length of a Foot and the lateral Galleries communicate with that at the End or Bottom of the Building by two round Towers or Segments of a Circle jutting outwards and of equal Breadth within to that of the Galleries On the Side next the great Isle the Body of the Wall at the inward Angle is adorn'd with two large Niches and in the same place at the other End there are two Arches with advanc'd Stairs that lead into a Hall or round Porch which is the principal Entry into the Orange-house from the Park Besides those Niches there is one in the Middle of the main Gallery over-against the great Door it contains a Statue of the King on Foot of white Marble which was presented to his Majesty by the late Duke de la Feüillade who had caus'd it to be made with a Design to erect it in the Place of Victories in the room of that which is there at present These Niches are large enough to contain complicated Figures of Colosses such as those of the Baths of Thetis and Caracalla where the
Swans in the Corners All the Branches of the Oak the Herbs that surround it with the Reeds and Swans casting forth Water together give the Spectator the pleasure of seeing a Million of Water-Spouts at the same time some higher and others lower which form as it were a Field of Water and washing the Plants make their greenness appear more natural About the midst of the two Wings of the Marish in two hollow places there are two Marble Tables rais'd on some Steps and adorn'd with all the Furniture of a Cupboard But since the greatest part of these Ornaments have only Circles or other Pieces gilt the use of 'em does not appear 'till the Water begins to play The Situation of this Grove is low and the rising Grounds that surround it are adorn'd with Vessels of Porcelain on several sorts of Pedestals before the Trellises which make a very fine and Pleasant sight In the same part of the Garden there are two Basons which are not enclos'd one is call'd the Fountain of Ceres and the other has its Name from Flora. These Basons with those of Bacchus and Saturn which are on the other side are call'd the Fountains of the Four Seasons Ceres with her Sickle appears in the midst of a Hexagonal Bason surrounded with Ears of Corn gilt Flora is in a leaning Posture environ'd with eight large Water-Spouts and several other small ones in form of a Heron's Tuft The Grove of the Mountain of Water or of the Star takes its Name from the Five Walks that represent a Star meeting near the principal Fountain The Water-Spouts that issue out of the Rock on both sides of the Alleys fall into a little Ditch in form of a Shower in the midst of which is the principal Fountain surrounded with a Trellis adorn'd with Architecture and Pilasters And about it there are hollow parts enclos'd after the manner of Portico's and containing Barriers that keep the same Figure The Top of the Trellises is adorn'd with Vessels of several Figures full of Flowers and green Herbs The Water-Spouts of the chief Bason are unequal and form a kind of Mountain of Water from the top of which issues a large Water-Spout At the two ends of the Grove of Apollo's Baths there are two square Pavilions equally rich and handsom invented by Mansard each of 'em containing eight Pannels between fourteen and fifteen Foot broad and twenty foot high They are of white Marble each being adorn'd with eight Columns of colour'd Marble and Pilasters cut out of the white Marble The Ascents of the little Pannels or Pieces in the Corners are full of Trophies of Brass representing the Arms us'd by several Nations And there are also like Trophies on the out-side between the Pilasters The Domes are enrich'd with several Metallic Ornaments and end in a Vessel Over-against the Entry of the Grove in the midst of the two sides are the fine Marble Figures made by Girardon representing the Sun with Thetis and her Nymphs washing his Feet pouring Water upon him and wiping him And in the hollow parts of the sides there are complicated Figures of Tritons holding Apollo's Horses This Grove is surrounded with a Terrass adorn'd with Balisters of Brass gilt And the Arms us'd in Battle by all the Nations of Europe are represented in eighty two Basso-relievo's about the Terrass In the middle of the Spot of Ground environ'd by the Terrass there is an octangular Bason surrounded with Balisters of Brass gilt of a different Design from those of the Terrass And every one of the Pedestals that are scatter'd up and down in this Place spouts out Water which makes a little Ditch about the Balisters from whence the Water spreading it's self forms a Nape There are also four large Pedestals adorn'd with Marble Figures On the first is the Break of Day represented by a young Man holding a Flambeau with Clouds at his Feet an Owl flying away and Zephyrus blowing The Morning is on the Second strewing Flowers and alighting from her Chariot On the Third Arion is represented invoking the Gods and mounted on a Dolphin And on the Fourth Leucothoe receiving Offerings from the Mariners In the midst of a Grove adorn'd with Trellis-Work there is a large Bason containing Enceladus almost buried under the Rocks he had pil'd up to scale Heaven That which appears of him is four times bigger than the Life He casts out of his Mouth a Water-Spout twenty four Foot high and bigger than a Man's Arm and an infinite number of smaller Streams gush forth among the Stones that over-whelm him Besides these several large Water-Spouts arise out of twelve Heaps of Stones that lie at some distance from the Giant surrounding the Bason and Arbors of Trellis-Work And on a sloping Grass-Plot there are divers little Basons of pieces of Rocks in each of which there is a Water-Spout The Hall of Feasts or of the Council is more long than broad it has a Grass-Plot in the middle surrounded with Gravel-Walks at the four Corners of which are round Basons jutting out over a Ditch full of Water that environs this Place The Figure of the Borders of the Ditch is odd but pleasant for it comprehends in its Circumference above thirty Angles stretching outwards and as many bending inwards Over-against the midst of each side there is a Bason without the Ditch so that the Hall seems encompass'd with Basons comprehending also those in the Corners And besides the Water-Spouts in the Basons the Ditch is full of ' em Every Spout both in the Ditch and Basons proceeds from a Combination of gilt Figures of Children in various Postures The Draw-Bridges by which you enter into the Hall are remov'd and drawn under-ground by a sort of Spring so that you may be imprison'd in it Between this Grove and the Colomnade you meet on the out-side with the Fountains of Saturn and Bacchus opposite to those of Ceres and Flora. Saturn is in a round Bason accompany'd with several Children carrying the old Man's Properties which cast forth many Water-Spouts He holds a Stone presented to him by his Wife who makes him believe she was brought to Bed of it This Bason represents Winter That of Bacchus which denotes Autumn is of an octangular Figure where that Deity appears accompany'd with several Satyrs and surrounded with all his Attributes and all together cast forth several Water-Spouts Besides there are four other Satyrs at an equal distance from him and every one of 'em spouts out Water The Colomnade or Range of Pillars is in the Place where the Springs were formerly on an Ascent which at present makes a part of that Grove The Enclosure is an exact Square twenty one Toises and a half in Diameter environ'd with thirty two Columns of several kinds of Marble of the Ionic Order twenty Inches about and fourteen Foot high comprehending the Attic Bases and the quadrangular Chapiters of white Marble These Columns are accompany'd with their Pilasters which stand by themselves about
Statues of Hercules and Flora stood The largest Gallery receives Light thro' thirteen Windows taken out of the Arches the Inside is not adorn'd either with Architecture or Sculpture as the Rules of that kind of Building require its main Beauty consisting in the Artificial Contrivance of the Vault The outward Decoration consists only of Bossages of the Heighth of one Module or half the Diameter of the Columns which are of the Tuscan Order containing four Feet and two Inches in Diameter and their Thickness being the seventh part of their Heighth There are but two outward or Front-Buildings of which that in the Middle consists of eight Columns coupl'd together and the other two of four Columns each and there are also two Columns at the Royal Door of the Hall or Entry being of the same Order but of a less Diameter These Columns are crown'd with a regular Entablature and the Front-Buildings on the sides are contiguous to that part of the Level of the Terrass which leans on the Vaults so that by two large Pair of Stairs each ten Toises broad you may descend to the lower Part of the Orange-house The Steps are interrupted by two Landing-Places and there are low or creeping Arches under 'em to give light to the Vault All this great Theatre encloses a Parterre of Compartments of Turf adorn'd with a Bason in the Middle the Fore-part of the Parterre is rail'd in with Balisters on a sloping Wall that makes one of the Sides of a little Ditch or Canal full of Water the Counterscarp is much lower than the Wall so that those who pass by on the High-way have a full and very pleasant View of the Building The principal Entries are equal in Breadth to the Edges and adorn'd with two great Jaums of a Wall each of which is beautify'd with two distinct Tuscan Columns coupl'd together and crown'd as well as the Columns with a regular Entablature The North part of the Jaums is cover'd above with Bossages like to those of the Orange-house and under the Columns is a Socle of a Medley of Figures between the Jaums and from the hinder Part of 'em to the Foot of the Stairs The Space between the Stairs and the principal Gates is inclos'd with an Iron Grate so that you may go up to the Parterre above without entering into the Orange-house These Grates are kept firm by Stone Pillars on which are plac'd Vessels full of Flowers and Fruits the Gates are crown'd with rich Iron-Work in two Divisions with the King's Arms and all the Ornaments of the Locks are gilded The Parterre is divided into six large Squares with Compartments of Turf separated by Gravel of the same Heighth with the Walks and in the midst of the Squares next the middle Gallery there is a round Bason or Fountain border'd with Turf In the Cross-Walk that separates these four Pannels or Squares from the other two there is a great Complication of Figures of white Marble on a Pedestal where Fame is represented writing the History of the King In her left hand she holds his Majesty's Picture in Profile in an Oval Medal which she places on a Book denoting History She is represented by a great wing'd Figure magnificently apparell'd and seated on Trophies she tramples on Envy who tears a Heart and with her left hand pulls Fame by the Gown to hinder her from Writing Among the Trophies there are Medals with the Portraictures of the greatest Princes such as Alexander Caesar and Trajan This Mass of Figures stands by it self and is bounded on all sides making a very fine and glorious Sight it was made at Rome by Dominico Guidi of the Dutchy of Urbin one of the most Famous Sculptors in Italy and Disciple of Alexander Algondy who was one of the best Artists of his Age. In this Parterre the Orange-Trees are plac'd when the Season of the Year permits The Kitchin-Garden is without the Limits of the Park that includes the Orange-house being situated on the Side next the great Wing of the Castle and parallel to the Mall from which 't is separated by a large Bason of Water 't is a quadrangular Enclosure a hundred and fifty seven Toises long and a hundred and thirty four broad divided into thirty one little Gardens separated from each other and enclos'd with Walls which communicating together encompass a large Garden containing 100. Toises in Length and 84. in Breadth with a round Fountain or Bason of Water in the Middle of 20. Toises border'd with Turf The King enters into this Place by a Gate called the Royal Gate in the Walk parallel to the Mall The Body of the Edifice almost to the corner of the Wall of the Enclosure consists of two Sides or distinct Structures join'd together by two Galleries one above another call'd the Figuerie which is 25. Toises long and the Garden usually known by the Name of Meloniere or Melon-Garden is also very large All those Gardens are appointed for Fruit-Trees and so artificially dispos'd that each Row of Trees enjoys the Warmth of the Sun agreebly to their peculiar Natures some more and others less some at one time of the day and some at another Every Garden has also the Conveniency of a Fountain to furnish it with Water and of a Terrass under which are vaulted Arbours that serve for Fruit-Houses in Winter The Pond that separates the Kitchin-Garden from the Mall was dug by Switzers from whom it took the Name that still it bears 't is very large and ought rather to be call'd a Lake or great Pond than a Fountain or Bason of Water Colbert did not content himself with embellishing this Garden with all the Curiosities that Europe could furnish he took care also to replenish the Menagerie or Vivarium with the rarest Animals that were to be found in the Four Parts of the World The great Canal leads to that Rural House on one side and to Trianon on the other and tho' the former is design'd only as a Lodge for Animals as its Name imports it has the stately Aspect of a magnificent Palace and presents a lovely Prospect of four Pavilions and a Dome to the Eyes of the Beholder The Passage to it lies thro' a large Avenue or Walk of Trees and in the first Place brings you to a Court enclos'd with Iron-Rails from whence you enter into another at the opposite End of which there is an octangular Dome that forms a Hall of the same Figure whither you ascend by a few Steps to an Entry that leads into the Hall that is surrounded with several Chambers Beneath these there is a Grotto with a wheeling Water-Spout in the Middle that besprinkles the whole Grotto and the Floor is full of little Holes from whence there arises a Shower of Water The Hall is environ'd with an octogonal Court surrounded with Iron Rails in which you meet with seven Iron Doors at a convenient distance from each other that open into a like number of Courts some
of which are appointed for Stables some for Sheep-Houses and others contain Stalls for several sorts of Animals In one of these Courts there is a very fine Bird-House for those Birds that must be kept in Cages or Coops and a Fish-Pond in another for the use of Pelicans and several other sorts of Fowl that feed on Fishes On the right hand in places enclos'd with Rails such Animals are kept that they may be safely suffer'd to range about for they may easily pass between the Rails Here are to be seen in different Lodges Ermins Civet-Cats Castors Muscovia-Cats and Rats and Barbary Cats The left side of the same Court is appointed for wild and voracious Animals such as Lyons Tygres Leopards Lynxes Bears and Wolves Such Beasts as are made use of for Labour are lodg'd in another Court and next to that are Mews for all sorts of Fowls Trianon is seated on the other side of the Canal Before that fine and pleasant House there is a Hollow or Bottom resembling a Half-Oval with a Door on each Side and one at the End opposite to the Entry which leads into the Principal Court as those on each Side do into two other separate Courts that reach along the Oval At the End of these two Courts following the Oval you meet with two Doors that open into the Court at the opposite End of which is the Principal Apartment consisting only of one Story and adorn'd on the outside with so vast number of Vessels of several Figures representing Porcelane that nothing else appears to the Eye The Inside also is painted in Imitation of Porcelane the Walls are all cover'd with Looking-Glasses and the Furniture is equally Rich and Genteel The Sides of this Building are border'd with two Square Pavilions built and adorn'd after the same Fashion And there are two other Pavilions lower down which terminate the fore-part of the Structure This place was design'd for a Magazine of all sorts of Flowers which are preserv'd here both in Winter and Summer All the Basons either are or appear to be of Porcelain and Water-Spouts arise out of the Urns. The Flowers and Shrubs are kept in Pots of Procelain or in Boxes that resemble it and there are long Walks of Orange-Trees planted in the Ground with Hedge-Rows of Jasmins and Myrtles under a Gallery of Timber that remains open during the Summer but in Winter is cover'd with Dung to preserve the Trees from the Cold. But Colbert thought there were still some finishing Strokes wanting to compleat the Beauty of Versailles There was no other Water but what was pump'd out of a Pond and from thence distributed by Canals to the places that requir'd its Moisture nor was it free from the usual defects of stagnating Water Stench and Muddiness The Consideration of these Inconveniences made Colbert undertake to bring Water from the River Eure to Versailles by an Aqueduct which reaches from the Hill of Picardon to the Cisterns or Reservers of Water Five large Basons contain both the Water of that River and that which supplies the Machine of Marly Four of 'em are oblong Squares eighty five Toises loing and fifty four broad with Pannels of eighteen Toises at the outward Angles and in the midst of these there is a little Bason of ten Toises in Diameter call'd the Receptacle of Water because it receives all the Water and distributes it to the great Basons at the Corners which are hollow'd and fram'd into Arches of a Circle These five Basons are separated by Walks of eighteen Foot in breadth and surrounded with another of eight Toises which reaches from the outward Brink of the Basons to the Glacis of the Earth that is enclos'd with a Wall The great Basons are eighteen Foot deep and fill'd with Water to the height of twelve Feet so that each of 'em contains 8000 Cubical Toises of Water or 224000 Muids amounting in all the four to 896000 Muids or Hogsheads of Water To retain the Water there is a Lay of Clay eighteen Inches thick both at the Bottom and round the Edges of the Basons or Reservers supported by a Wall four Foot broad above and five below founded on a Woodden Grate laid over the Clay with Platforms 't is call'd The Wall of Douvre and the Talus or Sloping is on the inside by which it loses a Foot of its breadth The Aqueduct is 500 Toises long and its greatest height amounts to fourteen or fifteen The Basis or Ground-Work extends to fourteen Feet which are reduc'd to six on the top and of that number the Canal takes up three in which breadth it contains 648 Inches of Water The River Eure is brought to Versailles from Pontgoin seven Leagues from Chartres the Canal between Pontgoin and Berchere la Margot containing 20000 Toises This Canal is brought along the Surface of the Earth according to its Level and fifteen Foot downwards Its height rises or falls according to the situation of the Ground and the Talus or Slopeness of the Banks is double of the depth In the Bottom or Valley of Berchere where the Aqueduct of Mason's-Work begins there is a Bank or Aqueduct of Earth erected which accompanies that of Stone-Work for the Space of 3607 Toises The Canal of this Earthen Aqueduct is fifteen Foot broad at the bottom and six seven or eight Foot broad at the top the Talus being double the height The Sides or Banks are supported by a Causey nine Foot broad with a Talus double the height to keep the Earth from falling In the Valley of Berchere the height of the Earthen Bank amounts to 100 Feet in other parts to 70 50 40 and 20 Feet and towards Maintenon where 't is joyn'd to the Stone-Aqueduct its height rises to 79 Feet The Stone Aqueduct is 2960 Toises long consisting of 242 Arches The breadth of the Arches amounts to forty Feet their Piles are forty eight Foot long and twenty four broad with Buttresses reaching eleven Feet in breadth and six in Projecture or out-bearing In the deepest part there are three Arches one over another like those at Pont du Guard in Languedoc Towards Berchere there are thirty three single Arches seventy one double forty six treble then seventy two double and in the last place twenty single which rejoin the Earthen Aqueduct coming from towards Versailles at the height of sixty five Feet which is gradually diminish'd for the space of 6055 Toises till it be reduc'd even with the Terrasses and from thence to Versailles 't is brought along the Surface of the Ground as between Pontgoin and Berchere for the space of 25000 Toises unless in some parts where there is a Stone Aqueduct hollow'd in the Ground The greatest height of the Aqueduct in the Valley of Maintenon thro' which the Rivers of Eure and Gaillardon pass and where the treble Arches are amounts to 216 Feet and six Inches to the Pavement of the upper Wreaths or Edges without reckoning the Foundations which are fifteen or sixteen
surrounded with eight other less Candlesticks after the manner of a Crown The four Entries are longer than broad with relation to their depth containing four Toises in one Dimension and five and a half in the other and are embellish'd with Architecture Sculpture and Marble Busts In each Entry there are two great Tables of precious Marble and two large Pictures by Vander-Meulen eight Foot long and five Foot high representing the Sieges carry'd on and Cities taken by His Majesty Every one of these great Apartments is compos'd of three Rooms an Anti-Chamber Chamber and Closet and the Upper Story to which you ascend by two Stair-cases consists of four Halls one in the middle of every Face They are sixteen Foot broad and serve for Anti-Chambers to eight of the twelve little Apartments which consist of two Rooms each The Dome of the great Hall is surrounded with an Octangular Terrass twelve Foot broad and little Corridores of half that breadth The external Decoration consists in Pictures in Fresco after the Italian manner being a great Corinthian Order of Marble Pilasters having only the Cornice in Relievo to crown the Mass of the Building On each Face a Fronton crowns the Front-Building without any apparent Projecture but what it borrows from the Shadows of the Painting Between the Windows of the first Story that are even with the Ground there are Basso-relievo's Trophies and Devises And the Angles are adorn'd with cleft Stones because if the Cieling were Angular the Projecture or jutting forth of the Bases and Chapiters would appear mutilated The whole Edifice is terminated with Balisters and has no apparent Roof All the Sculptures Bases Chapiters and Balisters are of Brass gilt and the Architecture is of Marble of several Colours The other twelve Pavilions are adorn'd after the same manner and six of 'em are of the Ionic Order Each Pavilion contains two Apartments one below and another in the first Story every one of 'em has six Toises in Front and they are thirty two Toises distant from each other Besides these thirteen Pavilions there are two on the right side of the Castle that faces the Paterre in one of which is the Chapel embellish'd in the inside with Pilasters of the Corinthian Order and in the other even with the Ground is the Guard-Chamber and above that the Officers Lodgings To these Pavilions they have since added two Wings which being joyn'd to two Walls built in form of an Arch of a Circle form an outward Court containing thirty five Toises in Diameter At the foot of the Descent from the Avenue on the other side and over-against these two Pavilions there are two others of the like Structure which make one half of the Building and comprehend the Kitchens and other Offices or Work-Houses being thirty Toises in Front and inclosing a Court for that use These two Pavilions are adorn'd on the out-side like those that are opposite to 'em and hide all that Building which is appointed for the service of the Palace They are joyn'd together by a Wall painted by Rousseau in Perspective which surprizes and charms the Beholder All these Pavilions both the twelve of equal bigness and those last mentioned communicate together by Trellis'd Arbours fifteen Foot broad which form a Half-Moon behind the Castle and all the Arches of a Circle that compose 'em end in Pavilions of Trellis-Work The Garden is so intermix'd with the Building that the Coaches never pass beyond the Grate between the two Pavilions on the other side of the Descent 'T is to be observ'd that the Disposition of the Garden is as new as unusual consisting of several Falls of Terasses supported by sloping Turfs with Ever-green Trees such as Firs Yews c. and you descend from one to another by Stone Steps of an extraordinary bigness and various Contrivance The Parterres are enclos'd with Basons of divers Figures adorn'd with several Water-Spouts The Bason behind the Castle is most considerable 't is in form of a Half-Moon thirty eight Toises broad and its Water-Spout rises one hundred Foot high The Basons of the Parterre are in number seven the first you meet with before the great Descent of Steps has Three Water-Spouts and contains twenty Toises in one Dimension and forty in the other The greatest containing five Water-Spouts is one hundred Toises long and fifty broad and the last consisting of Pannels below is seventy Toises long and thirty two broad adorn'd with three Water-Spouts The other four are round of which two at the foot of the Castle are smaller each of 'em containing ten Toises in Diameter but the Diameter of those above contains sixteen Toises Both the Terrasses and Pavilions run sloping tho' they are all plac'd level as well as the Basons And 't is impossible to behold at a distance without an agreeable Surprize that unusual Scene of Buildings Terrasses and Basons variously intermixt without Confusion like curious Works appearing distinctly on an advantageous Ground The Park of this House is enclos'd with a Wall and divided by Cross-Walks some eight and others six Toises broad where you have sometimes the Prospect of the Castle and sometimes of the Iron Grates before its Entry and that none of the Advantages of the Situation might be lost there are Groves of divers Figures contriv'd in the Wood. The Park-Pale encloses several large Ponds among which there are Three that have twelve Foot of Water the greatest is in the Middle and its superficial Extent amounts to 18000. Toises of Water whereas the other two together make but 2000 and besides there are two other larger Ponds of a Regular Figure The Surface of the Water in the first Pond is higher than that of the last Bason of the Parterre by thirty three Toises and besides the Cross-ways for Coaches there are Walks along the Walls of the Enclosure which open a Passage thro' all the Parts of the Garden The Conveniency Colbert had to make advantageous Bargains with the Work-men that were employ'd in building the Royal Houses because they were oblig'd to address themselves to him for Payment gave him an Opportunity to make his House of Sceaux a magnificent Palace I will not trouble the Reader with a particular Description of all its Beauties but content my self with mentioning the finest Parts of the Garden After you have pass'd thro' several lovely Walks fenc'd with Hedge-Rows you come to the Pavilion of the Morning so call'd either because the earliest Glimmerings of the Light are discover'd there sooner than in any other part and that the Morning seems only to break forth with a design to shine upon so beautiful a Place or because that Goddess is painted there by the hand of le Brun. This Pavilion has twelve Openings reckoning that of the Door and since 't is somewhat rais'd there are two Stair-Cases opposite to one another by which you ascend to it Going from thence to the Hall of Chesnut-Trees you meet with a fine Pond or Canal at the
Side of the Castle there are five lovely Fountains in the Hall four towards the Corners and one in the Middle and somewhat lower there is a little Wood made after the fashion of a Labyrinth and full of Water Then you come to the Water-Walk which is adorn'd on both sides with Busts plac'd on small Pedestals like Stools and Water-Spouts mounting as high as the Trellis Each Water-Spout appears between two Busts and every Bust between two Water-Spouts On each Side of the Walk there is a little Ditch or Furrow to receive the Water that falls from so great a number of Spouts and at each of the four Corners there is a great Shell for the same use Behind the Busts and Water-Spouts there is a green Wall form'd by large Trellisses and leaving this beautiful Place you enter into the Pavilion of the four Winds where you have a charming Prospect From thence you pass to the Canal and descending somewhat lower you meet with a Piece of Water containing about six Acres which fronts a Cascade at the other End of the Garden 'T is on the Brow of a Hillock forming three Water-Walks and adorn'd with several Vessels of Brass between the Basons out of which the Water-Spouts arise It may be justly said to be altogether natural for 't is fill'd with Running Water Colbert did not only design to make this Place a House of Pleasure for he annex'd a great Revene to it by transporting thither the Oxe-Market that was formerly kept at Long-jumeau to the Prejudice of Trade which was diminish'd by that Alteration The Desire that Minister had to display in all Parts the Grandeur and Magnificence of his Master made him also form several Designs to encrease the Beauty and Conveniency of the Capital City He began the Cours on Ramparts with four Rows of Trees reaching from the Gate of S. Honoré to that of S. Anthony and on the other side of the River 't was thought sufficient to make the Descent of the Hill somewhat easier between the Gates of S. Marcel and S. Victor He order'd the Old Gates of S. Denis and S. Martin to be beaten down and instead of these Triumphal Arches to be erected in Memory of his Majesty's Conquest of the greatest Part of the United Provinces in 1672. He built the Key call'd Pelletier's or the New-Key with a Parapet from Our Lady's Gate to the Greve or Place of Execution which it encompasses on the side next the Seine and he caus'd the Key to be lin'd with Stone from the first Wicket of the Louvre near the Watering-Place for Horses to the End of the Old Cours The Streets were also enlarg'd by his Orders which gave Occasion to the President de Fourcy to make two New ones during the time of his Provostship or Mayoralty one of 'em reaching from S. Anthony's Street to the Bridge that leads to Our Lady's Island and the other continuing the Street des Provaires to Pont-Neuf The Publick is oblig'd to the same Minister for the Establishment of the Academy for Painting and Sculpture in 1664. The King's Painters and Sculptors with some others of the most skilful Professours of those Arts being prosecuted at Law by the Master-Painters of Paris join'd together and began to form a Society under the Name of the Royal Academy for Sculpture and Painting Their Design was to keep publick Exercises to improve those ingenious Arts and to advance 'em to the highest Degree of Perfection They put themselves under the Protection of Cardinal Mazarin and chose Chancellour Seguier for their Vice-Protectour after which they presented a Petition to the King containing an Account of all the Prosecutions that were set on foot against 'em to the great Prejudice of the Art of Painting and Sculpture which their Enemies design'd to deprive of that Noble Liberty which is so natural to it and to make it subject to the Laws of a Mechanical and Servile Trade This Petition was favourably receiv'd and by an Order of Council bearing Date the 20th of January 1648. all Persons were prohibited to disturb or molest the Academy in its Exercises The Society was in its Infancy compos'd of twenty five Members twelve Officers call'd Elders who were oblig'd to attend monthly and give publick Lessons eleven Academicians and two Syndics The twelve Elders were le Brun Erard Bourdon de la Hyre Sarrazin Corneille Perrier de Beaubrun le Sueur Juste d' Egtimont Vanostad and Guillemin The eleven Academicians were du Garnier Vanmol Ferdinand Boulogne Montpecher Hans Tertelin senior Gerard Gosin Pinage Benard and de Seve senior and the two Syndics now call'd Ushers were Bellot and l' Eveque Not long after the Promulgation of the Order of Council 't was thought convenient to regulate the respective Duties of the Members of the Academy and of the Students and in the February following the Society drew up Thirteen Articles of Regulation which were approv'd and ratify'd by Letters-Patents granted the same Month. Five or six Years after 't was found by Experience that it was necessary for the Advancement of the Academy to make some Additions to the former Statutes and Twenty one New Articles were presented to the King and ratify'd by Letters Patents in January 1655. Since that time his Majesty perceiving with Satifaction the Progress made by the Academy in the Design of their Institution granted 'em new Statutes much more ample than the first supplying the Omissions and correcting the Faults that were observ'd in the former Regulation And these three Collections of Statutes with the several Patents in Confirmation of 'em were register'd in the Parliament Chamber of Accounts and Court of Aids notwithstanding all the Opposition of the Master-Painters After Cardinal Mazarin's death in 1663 the Academy begg'd the Protection of Chancellor Seguier and made Colbert their Vice-Protector at whose solicitation they were finally establish'd by a Patent containing new Privileges in the Year 1664. They were first lodg'd in the Gallery of the Royal College of the University but afterwards his Majesty granted 'em more spacious Lodgings near the Tuilleries and after that another more convenient place in the Gallery of the Louvre From thence they were remov'd to the Palace Brion behind the Palace Royal and after that House was annex'd to the Duke of Chartres's Lodgings they were placâ—d in the Old Louvre There was also a Fund settl'd by his Majesty in the Register of the Royal Buildings to raise a considerable Pension for the Officers of the Academy and to defray the Charges of Models and other necessary Expences of that Society All Suits and Causes relating to their Functions Works and Publick Exercises are to be examin'd by the Council of State and the Academy it self being assembl'd is declar'd Judge of all differences that may arise about the Arts of Painting and Sculpture He that presides in the Assemblies receives an Oath of those that are deem'd capable of being admitted Members of the Academy And the Deliberations agreed on in
purpose is a Valley a quarter of a League below the Town of Revel call'd The Valley of S. Ferreol from a great Farm of the same name in the Neighbourhood and 't was presum'd that it might be fill'd with the Water of the Audaut that runs thro' it together with that which proceeds from the Snow and Rains that happen very frequently in the Mountain The Valley is 760 Toises long and 550 broad being very narrow at the Head wide in the Middle and contracted again at the End by the approaching Mountains that bound it on both sides and to keep in the Water in form of a Lake the Mountains are join'd by a Causey which may be call'd a Third Hill by reason of its great thickness and height It s breadth amounts to sixty one Toises and its Base is a solid body of Stone-Work founded on the Rock and as it were mortais'd into it having only one small opening or hole vaulted above and level with the Ground to let out the Water 'T was thought convenient to follow the Course of the Brook Audaut that runs thro' the Valley and to contrive the Passage on that side whither the Stream naturally tends to prevent the Ruines or Breaches in the Work that might have been occasion'd by a violent alteration of its Course and therefore the Passage was made nine Foot broad twelve Foot high and ninety six Toises long in a crooked Line On the Body of Stone-Work there is a thick Wall reaching in a streight Line from the Head to the Foot of the Dam and exceeding by some Toises the height of the vaulted Aqueduct In the thickness of the Wall there is another Vault in form of a Gallery the Entry of which is towards the Foot of the Causey and its height as well as breadth is parallel to that of the former The Gallery growing insensibly narrow towards the bottom contains but one Toise in breadth and a Toise and a half at the Head of the Work 'T is only sixty one Toises long because it runs in a streight Line whereas the length of the Aqueduct amounts to ninety four Toises Above or at the Head of the Causey it answers perpendicularly to the Orifice of the Aqueduct and below 't is on the left side of its Mouth Things being thus dispos'd there were three Cross-Walls built from one end of the Causey to the other being founded on the Stone-Work that makes the Basis of the Structure They are not only interlac'd with the Stone-Work of the Gallery thro' which they pass in form of a Cross but are also inserted into the two Hillocks that surround the Valley The first Wall at the Head of the Causey is seven Toises high eight or ten broad and twelve Foot thick at the end being largest below because of the slopeing The second being the highest of all the three is one hundred and eighteen Toises long fifteen Foot thick and sixteen Toises and two Foot high 'T is plac'd almost in the midst of the Causey at the distance of thirty three Toises from the first and the length of it may be extended to two hundred ninety nine Toises and more The third makes the Foot of the Causey and is thirty one Toises distant from the second 'T is eight Foot thick and equal to the first in height and breadth Of the two above-mention'd Vaults the lower lets out the Waters of the Magazine and the other serves for an Entry to those who go to open or shut the Passage of the Water by means of two Brazen Trap-Doors plac'd horizontally in a Tower call'd The Drum which is join'd to the first or inward Wall the Openings of the two Vaults being in the third or outward Wall As for the Bason or Pond of Naurouse whether the Waters of the Black Mountain and of the Magazin of St. Ferreol are brought by the Canal of Derivation 't is call'd The Point of Division because from thence the Water is distributed on both sides to the Canals that convey it to the two Seas The Figure of this Bason is an Octangular Oval its greatest Diameter containg 200 Toises and its least 150 'T is lin'd with hewn Stone It receives the Water of the Ditch by one of its Angles and distributes it by two Canals that issue out of the two other Angles One of these Canals bends its Course towards the Ocean and reaching the Valley of Lers falls into the Garonne It has eighteen Sluces both double and single which make twenty seven Bodies of Sluces in the space of 28142 Toises or fourteen French Leagues The other Canal which runs towards the Mediterranean to the Lake of Thun contains forty six Sluces double treble quadruple and octuple in the length of 99443 Toises or almost fifty French Leagues Besides these there are two other Canals one to empty the Bason when 't is too full by discharging the superfluous Water into the River Lers The second which is not united to the Bason at its coming out of the Ditch to drain away the foul and muddy Water that the Bason or Pond receiving only pure and clean Water may be freed from the usual Inconveniencies of other Ponds that are apt to be gorg'd with Mud and must be cleans'd and hollow'd from time to time The River Garonne contributed very much to promote the design'd Communication of the two Seas by opening a free and commodious Passage to the Ocean But the same Conveniency was not to be found among the Rivers that fall into the Mediterranean along the Coast of Languedoc for the Aude was not Navigable above Narbon and besides it enters into the Sea by the Lakes of Bayes and Vandres where the Road or Shoar is so shallow that 't was impossible to make a Haven After an exact View of all the Coast there was no place found but Cape de Sete of a sufficient depth for Vessels of five or six hundred Tun and therefore 't was resolv'd to make a Harbour there Sete is a Promontory in the Neighbourhood of the little Town of Frontignan famous for its Muscadine Wine The Sea is on one side of it and on the other it has the Lakes of Thun Maguelone and Peraut border'd with the Plains of lower Languedoc and on the Right and Left-hand 't is bounded with the Strand between those Lakes and the Sea This Mountain thrusts a long Point into the Sea and on the other side the Sea advances into the Land making a Bay where the above-mention'd Depth was found The Shoar along the Strand is full of Sand as are all the Coasts of Languedoc about the Gulf of Leon the Cape sinks deeper and all around the Depth amounts to twenty or twenty four Feet Now these Lakes or Ponds have no Water but what they receive by the Inlets or Passages which the Sea makes when it beats strongly against the Shore and these Inlets that open a Communication between the Lakes and the Sea are chang'd according to the various
drown'd and that the Vessel was a Prize taken by the Bucaneers from the Spaniards For besides a great number of Horse-Shooes that remain'd of her Cargo there were several Jars of Spanish Wine and Letters in that Language by which it appear'd that she set out in June and consequently that she had been taken not long before The 13th they discover'd a small Pyrate cruising about that part and wou'd have chas'd him if the Booty cou'd have made amends for their trouble for he wou'd not come near the Squadron tho' the usual Signal by the firing of a Gun was made for him to approach The Passage from Portobelo to Rotan is dangerous by reason of the Banks of Sand with which those Seas are pester'd and the Water is so shallow that the Pilots are oftentimes puzzl'd to find the Chanel The 25th they made the Isle des Pans and the Capes of Las Corrientes and Sant-Anton at the Western end of the Island of Cuba and were oblig'd to wait several Days for a favourable Wind before they cou'd double the last of those Capes The 3d. of September they past by Porto Cavano in the same Island and on the 6th came before Havana which is the Metropolis of the Island and the usual Residence of the Captain-General The Spaniards have been very diligent in improving the Fortifications of so considerable a Place for its Harbour is the Rendezvous of all the Galeons that bring the Silver from the Indies and of all the Ships that come from St. Martha Cartagena Nombre de Dios Portobelo Vera Cruz Campesche and all the other Ports of Mexico The 7th they anchor'd at las Matanças in the same Island where they took notice of the Comet that appear'd in France and was illustrated with several Observations They perceiv'd it first in the Night between the 25th and 26th of August its Head being North-North-East and its Tail South and by West Here they stood into the Bay to refresh themselves and took in fresh Water Wood Flesh Fish and all other necessary Provisions The Bay is large but not every-where fit for Anchorage nor is that its only Inconveniency for t is wholly destitute of Inhabitants but those Defects are in some measure supply'd by the great abundance of all sorts of Game as Wild Oxen Herons Parrots and a prodigious Number of other Fowls that are sit to be eaten Among other Animals there are certain Rats much larger and thicker than our Cats that sit on Trees along the Rivers and are not scar'd at the sight of the Hunters And for the Refreshment of those whose Stomachs are disorder'd after a tedious Voyage there is a sort of Colewort that grows on the top of a very spongy Stem from thirty to fifty Foot high and may be eaten several ways as in Sallads Broth or Pottage The Bay abounds with excellent Fishes and those who take the Diversion of Fishing in the Rivers that fall into it may gather as much Cresses as they please which is like to that we have in Europe And besides all those Marks of the bounty of Nature that appear in this place it yields store of Salt and produces several kinds of Fruits among which there are Plums call'd Mourbin and two sorts of Grapes This pleasant Country is as I intimated before a part of the Island of Cuba which according to the Observations of Geographers contains 280 Leagues in length and 40 in breadth extending between 289 and 300 Degrees of Longitude and from the 20 to the 22d Degree of Latitude its Northern side being 30 Leagues distant from the Tropic of Cancer On the 19th the French set Sail from Matanças standing in to the Frith of Bahama where the North-Wind being imprison'd between the Coast of the Main-Land and that of the Islands which bound the Straight on both sides breaks forth with so violent an impetuosity that the Ships which are engag'd in this dangerous Passage run the hazard of being dash'd to pieces on one of the opposite Shores And besides the agitation of the Sea by those Tempestuous Winds is encreas'd by the Rapidity of the Currents which are oftentimes fatal to such small Vessels as those that compos'd this Squadron Yet they had the good fortune to escape the Danger of this Canal which is 60 Leagues long and 25 broad between 24 and 27 Degrees of Latitude and afterwards sail'd along the Coast of Florida to the height of the Bermudas where they met with a fair Wind for Martinico which they discover'd on the 24th of October and Anchor'd the 26th at Fort S. Peter The 2d of November they set sail for Granada to bring the Governour of that Island who was Gabaret's Brother with his Wife to Martinico where she was desirous to Lie in In their Passage they descry'd a small Skiff and made towards it by Gabaret's Orders who was extremely surpriz'd at the sight of four or five Wretches that cou'd hardly stir an Oar to approach the Ship being starv'd and quite spent with Hunger Thirst ill Weather and the beating of the Waves At last he receiv'd 'em on board and learnt that they were Englishmen of the Isle of Tabago where they were so cruelly us'd that in a Fit of Despair they resolv'd to commit themselves to the less-dreaded fury of the Waves and that their small stock of Provision was consum'd five Days before they were taken up On the 5th of December Gabaret arriv'd at S. Christopher where he left the Englishmen and the next Day sail'd for France directing his Course to the Port of Brest where he landed The favourable Treatment which Gabaret receiv'd from the Spaniards in America was a glorious Effect of his Master's Power And the kind reception of the French Ambassador at the Court of Morocco is a convincing Proof of the Awe and Respect with which that great Monarch inspires the most barbarous Nations The Count of S. Amand embark'd on the Valiant a Ship of 60 Guns commanded by Beaulieu and came before Algier where he was present at that memorable Action I have already describ'd From thence he set sail for Tetuan where he arriv'd on the 2d of October 1682 and sent some Persons a-shore in his Pinnace who were inform'd by the Turks that were come to the Sea-side that for two Months they had been daily expecting the Ambassador's Arrival and that they had Orders to intreat him not to Land till they had heard from the Vice-Roy of the Province because they cou'd not receive him according to his Dignity during the absence of that Alcayd The 4th Mehemed Thummin who was formerly Ambassador in France came on board with the Lieutenant-Governour and the Commander They were saluted at their Entry with the firing of eleven Guns and conducted to the Council-Chamber where they were receiv'd by the Count of S. Amand accompany'd with eight Officers of Ships twelve of the Marine Guards and several Gentlemen After they had all taken their Places the Ambassador began the
and receiv'd an Answer on the 4th of November but the bad Weather which lasted till the 14th and the Ambassador's Indisposition retarded his Journey for some time Mehemed brought the Horses that were prepar'd for him magnifying the Care he had taken to procure so great a number And when he was ready to depart the Alcayd came to him on Horseback and enquir'd whether he wanted any thing after which he went to the Alcayd's House and thank'd him for all his Civilities and that Officer not only return'd a very obliging Answer but offer'd the Ambassadour three or four Thousand Crowns if he stood in need of such a Summ. Then the Company took Horse and the Musquetiers who were at the Gate saluted the Ambassador as he passâ—d by with a Volley of all their Musquets The first Village they saw on the Road is call'd Dezutburg where the Lord of the Place accommodates all Persons with Lodgings gratis and has sometimes fed two hundred at one time They travellâ—d till the 14th thro' a Mountainous and almost uninhabited Country where there is no Water but great abundance of Partridges The 14th they encamp'd near Alcaza where the Ambassador was complimented by the Alcayd Brother to him of Tetuan He wore a large Robe or Gown of black Velvet spangl'd with Gold and rode on a very fine Horse who was of a large size for one of Barbary and magnificently harnass'd with red Velvet adorn'd with little Plates of Gold Two Slaves held the Reins of his Bridle and there was a great deal of massy Gold on the Head-Stall and Throat-Band He was accompany'd with his Son who was mounted on a Horse of the same kind and his Train consisted of 100 Horse and a like number of Foot After some mutual Compliments he retir'd wheeling and managing his Horse he and all his Horsemen as his Brother and his Company did at Tetuan The whole Journey to Salley was very troublesome to the Ambassadour's Retinue the Ways were generally hard to be found the Meat was bad and they were forc'd to keep themselves always in a Posture of Defence both because of the Robbers who came very near their Tents in the Night and the Lions with which that Country abounds On the 20th they were met by Midy Aly Manino Lieutenant of the Polity or Civil Government of Salley and Brother of the Alcayd of that City where they arriv'd in the Evening and abode two days their Tables being much better furnish'd than they were upon the Road. The Ambassadour according to the usual Custom receiv'd many Compliments and Presents of Passara Dates and some Hens and Sheep The Inhabitants of most of the Villages thro' which they pass'd receiv'd 'em with loud Acclamations of Joy some of 'em shew'd their Dexterity in Leaping and Horse-Races were never omitted They found neither Bridges nor Boats on the Rivers but were forc'd to pass 'em on Leathern Bags stuff'd with Wind. Two Days before they arriv'd in the Camp they pass'd by a Place where there are 150 Wells or Pits call'd in the Map Centum Putei which are of great use in a Country wholly destitute of Water but that which proceeds from Rain and is preserv'd in those Pits The 9th of December they pass'd by a paltry Fort where the Grand Vizier lay having been lately wounded with a Musquet-shot by a certain Moor who fled to Muly Hamet King of Suz and they observ'd a Guard of 150 Musquetiers at the Gate The 10th the King sent four Horse-Men for the Ambassadour who immediately set forward and arriv'd in the Camp on the Day of the Great Festival of the Bayran which the Moors were celebrating with many Expressions of Joy and Sacrifices of Camels and Sheep As the French approach'd the Place of Sacrifices they perceiv'd four Men mounted on Mules full of little Bells who were stain'd with the Blood of Victims which they had sacrific'd before the King All the Alcayds of the Kingdom are oblig'd to be present at that Solemnity and that Monarch sent to tell the Count of S. Amand that he might advance further and take a nearer View of the Ceremonies Assoon as he approach'd the King retir'd unseen and put himself at the Head of 2000 Horse with whom he attack'd a like Number of others the Engagement lasted 3 Hours and they fir'd their Musquets charg'd with Powder in one anothers Faces after which the King sent an Alcayd to compliment the Ambassador and to acquaint him that by reason of the Solemnity of the Festival he cou'd not give him Audience till the next Day Then the Ambassadour with his Train was carry'd to a Place 50 Paces distant from the Camp where he was attended next Morning by an Alcayd who conducted him to the Audience All the Company took Horse and alighted when they drew near to the King's Tent who when he perceiv'd the Ambassadour at the distance of 10 Paces said to him thrice Cayba which signifies You are welcome Then all the Ambassadour's Attendants put on their Hats and the King surpriz'd at their Boldness broke forth into this Expression That the French were not Cowards like those of other Nations after which preventing the Ambassadour he said That he was glad to see him in good Health that the Country from whence he came was much more remote than Constantinople that he was resolv'd to execute the Treaty of Peace concluded by his Ambassadours and that the Mussulmans were always Religious Observers of their Word Then he enter'd into a Discourse concerning Religion saying There was only One God the Lord of all things and the Ambassadour answer'd That the Christians were of the same Opinion The King reply'd That what he said was only in obedience to the Precepts of his Religion which oblig'd him to advise all Men to embrace the Mussulman Faith which he believ'd was the best and the Ambassadour answer'd That he was extremely oblig'd to his Majesty for his kind Intentions but that he was resolv'd never to forsake that Religion in which he was educated Then the King insisting still on that Subject ask'd the Reason Why Christians believe that there is a God the Son but the Ambassador being persuaded that 't wou'd be in vain for him to return a Formal Answer reply'd That he cou'd not pretend to so much Skill in Divinity as to dispute with his Majesty about those Controversies He had prepar'd a Harangue but the King always interrupted him with asking Questions and at last told him That he was sensible of the Difference between the Emperour of France and other Monarchs who do not govern by their own Authority The Ambassador reply'd That 't was very reasonable that two so great Emperours who agreed in their Opinions and observ'd the same Methods of Government shou'd be link'd together by the mutual Ties of a perfect Friendship Then he presented his Majesty's Letter enclos'd in a Case of Leather brought from the Levant embroider'd with Gold and Silver together with the Interpretation in