A DESCRIPTION OF FRANCE IN ITS Several Governments: TOGETHER With the most considerable Cities, Sea-Ports, and Rivers of that Kingdom; as also the Distances, with the Longitudes, and Latitudes of each Place, &c. With many other Remarks, necessary to the Knowledge of that Kingdom.

By J. S. Gent.

Illustrated with a Map.

LONDON: Printed for Tho. Minors in the Inner-Temple-Lane, 1692.

Licensed,

July the 18th. 1692.
R. M.

To the Illustrious Mainard Duke of Leinster.

May it please your Grace,

THE following Treatise would not be so fami­liar, as to presume upon so high a Patronage, were not your Grace so imme­mediately interessed, and con­cerned therein. Neither was it without some serious Reslexion and Debate, that I could resolve to make this Present to your Grace: For though Dedications are lately grown so Epidemical, that no Person of Quality, ei­ther [Page]sooner or later can avoid the Infection, yet, methought, your Grace was as much above the common disturbances that attend your Quality, as you are exalted above the common Level of it. But, my Lord, you are now go­ing General of an Expedition, in whose very Name encounter an admirable Policy, and a certain Glory; for the Service of which was principally intended this en­suing Description. This it is which made me conclude I should have done a great Injustice, had I put this Tract under any other Protection than yours. And in­deed at whose Feet can a Sub­ject of this Nature be so fit­ly placed as at your Grace's, You being so experienc'd a Commander, and about to per­form [Page]such vast important Acti­ons?

My Lord, it would but ar­gue me of the meanest Imper­tinence to pretend here an Ha­rangue of those Encomiums you deserve: For he who acquaints the World whose Son you are, has said enough to those who do not know you: Your Grace being the best Panegyrick upon your self: The Son of the Great, the Immortal Schomberg, whose stupendious Actions, and invin­cible Courage, together with his unspotted Zeal for the most ra­tional Religion of the World, at a time when the Thorns of Persecution forced him from his Estate and Dignities, have ren­dred him even above the Tu­rennee's, [Page]the Montecuculli's, and the Condees, that is to say, the Caesars of our Age.

Go on, my Lord, and prosper; And whilst your glorious Father's Blood inheres in you, where's the considering Man that questions Victory, ordares dispute Success.

Methinks, I hear the Men of Gaul declare, amazed upon the Notice of your Landing, He comes, 'tis Schomberg's Son, why do we defer to yield?

We read in English History of the prodigious Actions of the Mighty Talbot, whose very Name at last was of sufficient force to defeat whole Armies: The Case being parallel to the great Exploits of your Renown­ed [Page]Father, of whom your Grace is a compleat Resemblance, how can it be, that we should fear a Victory?

The Present that I make bold to send your Grace, is a Geo­graphical Description of France, considered in its several Pro­vinces, the most considerable Cities and Sea Ports, their Distances one from another, their Longi­tudes and Latitudes, what they are most remarkable for, toge­ther with many other observable things, that necessarily occur in a Treatise of this Nature.

But lest I prove tedious, I will conclude this Epistle with assuring you, that not only this Book, but the Author of it are [Page]both Dedicated to your Grace's Service, (with hearty Prayers for the Success of your Expe­dition) by him, who in all ima­ginable Humility, subscribes him­self,

My Lord,
Your Grace's Most Obedient Servant J. S.

ERRATA.

PAge 25. line 19. after Besanson read and Cambray; p. 27. l. 15 for Boulonis r. Bou­lonois. p. 35. l. 4. r. Vexin Normand. p. 37. l. 23. before King r. the, and l. 26. for Govern­ment r. Governour. p. 47. l. 8. for Rhetelor r. Rhetelois. p. 52. for Bree r. La Brie. p. 57. l. 10. for more r. most. p. 58. l. 19. r. Families. p. 61. l. 10. r. Poitou. p. 65. l. 11. r. Bretagne. p. 66. l. 1. r. covered with Slat. p. 83. l. 14. r. Cha­rente and l. 26. after Guyenne r. is. p. 90. l. 3. after Modern r. Authors. p. 93. l. 2. r. advancing p. 101. l. 14. r. It should not be. p. 108. l. 5. r. in one part p. 109. l. 18 after Ven [...]issin r. which encircles. p. 112. l. 1 r. most. p. 115. l. 9. r. Roman.

[map of France.]

AN INTRODUCTION TO THE Geographical Description OF FRANCE.

THE Romans gave the Name of Gaul to that extent of Land, which is between the Alpes and the Pyrenaeans, the Mediterranean-Sea, the Ocean, and the Rhine: At present, with an exception of the Low-Countries, and some other Parts, which do as it were depend upon the Empire of Ger­many; it is called France, from the Name of the French, who made it sub­ject [Page 2]to their Power. Julius Caesar had finished his Conquest of it about Forty Eight Years before the Nativity of Je­sus Christ; insomuch that when the French had absolutely established them­selves therein, it had been near Five A­ges under the Laws of that Empire.

Now without reckoning the Coun­try which the Gauls had subdued be­yond the Alps, from these Mountains, as far as the little River of Rubicon, and which was named Cisalpine Gaul, in re­spect of the Romans: It was first di­vided by Augustus into Four Parts, Narbonoise Gaul, which they called Pro­vince, because they had subdued it first, and reduced it into a Province; Aqui­tanick Gaul, Gaul Celtick, and Gaul Bel­gick. To these three last, they gave the Name of Gaul Cheveliie, and when Gaul was absolutely spoken, Celtick was understood. Then by Succession of time, and under divers Emperors, it was divided again into Seventeen Pro­vinces, to wit, Five Viennoises, in which number were computed the First and Second Narbonoise; Three Aquitains; Five Lyonnoises, comprehending the Se­quanoise; Four Belgick, Two of which were called German, because some People [Page 3]of Germany had long since inhabited those parts; and Two Belgick, proper­ly so called.

Each of these Provinces had its Me­tropolis; to wit, the Five Viennoise, Vi­enna, Narbonne, Aix, Tarentaise, and Embrun; the Three Aquitains, Bourges, Bourdeaux and Eaulse; the Five Lyon­noises, Lyon, Rouën, Tours, Sens, Besancon; The Two German, Mentz and Cologne; the Two Belgick, Triers and Rheims.

Under these Seventeen Metropoli­tans, there was above a Hundred Cities or Towns, Heads of People, in which the Church has since constituted Epis­copal Sees. Under these Cities, there was a much greater number of other Towns, which they called Oppida. When the Romans conquered Gaul, there was no less computed than Twelve Hundred with Walls; but they pulled down the Enclosures of the greatest part, or let them fall to ruin.

As to the Governments of these Se­venteen Provinces, Six of them were Consular, and Eleven under Presidents, commissioned by the Emperor. Con­stantine the Great, put Counts into the Cities, and Dukes into some of the Frontier Towns; Judiciary matters [Page 4]were performed according to the Ro­man Law, but some Municipal Customs it's probable were kept up. They were not much disturbed by the Soldiery, because the Legions lived with sufficient order, and besides there was hardly any but in the Adjacent Provinces. Yet as the Country was agreeable and fertile, and the People extreamly subject, they were imposed upon by all manner of Ex­actions, insomuch that their Abundance [...] encreased their Misery, and their Obe­dience heigthned their Oppression.

In the Year 330, when Constantine the Great divided the Charge of Prefe [...] ­du Pretoire into Four, Gaul enjoyed one, who had under him Three Vicars one in Gaul it self, one in Spain, and one in Great Britain. The First who had this Charge, was the Father of St. Ambrose, bearing the same Name as his Son. This Praefect usually resided in the City of Triers, which for this rea­son was the Capital of the Gauls, till having been Four times sack'd by the Barbarians, the Emperor Honorius would transfer this Prerogative to the City of Arles; which was at length taken off from Vienna, and made up the Eigh­teenth Metropolis.

From Augustus to Galien, the Peace of these Provinces was disturbed by. Two Revolts that of Sacrovir and Flo­rus in the Twenty Third Year of Je­sus Christ, and that of Civilis, Tutor & Classicus, which was much more dangerous in the Year 70. After the Death of the Emperor Decius, the Barba­rians began to torment them by frequent Incursions. For the First Hundred Years there were none but French and Ger­mans that were concerned in them on this side the Rhine; but afterwards the Misfortune was redoubled by the hor­rible Devastations of Vandals, Bourguig­nons, Sueves, Visigoths and Huns, which did not end but with the ruin of the Empire in the West.

As to the Original of the French, the common opinion is, that they are na­tural Germans, and that France is the name of a League, which in their Lan­guage signified Free, or as others say, Fierce, Insuperable. 'Tis certain that the Authors of the Third and Fourth Ages by the name of German, almost always mean the French. As for the time in which they began to appear, it was exactly Two Years after the great Defeat of the Emperor Decius in Mesia, [Page 6]which happened in the Year 254, by the Goths and other People of Seythia, The Goths had begun to make them­selves known but Twelve Years before they went out of their own Country, which was European Scythia, between the Euxin Sea and the River Tanais,) to ransack the Provinces of the Empire. They were divided into Ostrogoths and Visigoths; that is to say, according to, some Eastern Goths and Western Goths.

After this Defeat, all the Fences of the Roman Empire being ruinated on that side, there broke out Torrents of all sorts of Barbarians, who had not been so much as heard of till then. 'Tis for this reason amongst others, and be­cause the French had also much of the Behaviors and Customs of the Scythians, (as to use Darts, to exercise Hawk­ing, &c.) that one is apt to conjecture that they are originally Scythians. But it is not po [...]ible; and it would be super uous to say of what Place, be­cause all the Scythians were Vaga­bonds, and that in a little time they were found Two and Three Hundred Leagues distance from the Country, which they inhabited a little before.

The First time then that there is mention made of them, is in the Year 256, under the Empire of Gallus and Vo­lusian, when they passed the R [...]ine near Mentz; and when Aurelian who was yet but Tribune of a Legion, killed Seven Hundred of them in an Encoun­ter, and made Three Hundred Pri­soners, who were sold at the publick Sale.

From this first Irruption, to the time when they conquered or besought of the Romans the Possession of some Lands in Gaul, to wit, in the Countries of Cologne, Leige, and the Neighbouring parts, there passed near 180 Years, which was in the Year 416. There was lodged a Party in Brabant in the time of Julian the Apostate, towards the Year 358; but it is not known, whe­ther they were permitted to establish themselves there.

During these Two Ages they conti­nued their Incursions with divers Suc­cesses, always retiring with their Booty into Germany. They possessed there the most part of those Lands which are be­tween the Mein and the Rhine, the Weser and the Ocean; sometimes more, some­times less extended, according as they [Page 8]were weak or powerful, and as the [...] were pressed by other Nations, par­ticularly by the Germans towards th [...] Mein, and the Saxons towards th [...] Sea.

These last proceeding from a Coun [...] ­try, which we now call Holstein, seise [...] upon Friesland, and the Marine part [...] on this side the River Elbe; then a [...] the French established themselves i [...] Gaul, they succeeded in the possession of the greatest part of those which they had enjoyed beyond the Rhine.

The French Nation was divided into several People,West-Friesland. Great andNorth-Holland. Little Frisons, Zeland. Salians, Bishop­rick of Munster. Brucheri, (e) An­grivarians, (f) Chamaves, (g) Sicambres, and(h) Catti: And it had, as I suppose, divers others in its Alliance, and others also under its Dominion.

Oftentimes the Romans went to as­sault them in their Woods and Marshes, and thought to extirpate them Two or Three times, particularly Constantine the Great; but they repulsed them al­ways.

They had several Captains or Com­manders, Kings, Princes, Dukes or Ge­nerals, who had no absolute Authority but in War.

Sometimes they served as Stipenda­ries to the Romans, sometimes became their Subjects; but as soon as the time was changed, and that they found an occasion to pillage, they supposed them­selves no longer obliged to entertain [...] Treaties; for which Reason the Au­thors of those times accuse them of In­constancy, Lying, and Perfidiousness: So that we at this time need not give our selves the trouble of admiring at their Treacherous Practices and un­manly Attempts, since they have them from their first Original, and since they seem to be carried on thereto as it were by Natural Instinct, deriving their Un­worthy Qualities from their Predeces­sors.

The last Day of the Year 406, the Alains and Vandals seducing along with them the Bourguignons, the Sueves, and several other Barbarous People, passed the Rhine, and made an irruption into Gaul, which was the most furious and severe that had been yet seen.

These Barbarians having ransacked all the First Germany, and the Second Belgick, transferr'd themselves into A­quitain: In the Year 409, some Bands of Vandals and Sueves, passed from thence into Spain. Two Years after, the others being consternated at the March of Ataulfe King of the Visigoths, who came from Haly, took the same Road, and followed them. There re­mained notwithstanding some of the Alains in Dauphine, and upon the Banks of the Loire, who enjoyed a Succession of Kings for above Sixty Years toge­ther, but in the end they underwent the Dominion of the Visigoths and Bourguignons.

The Vandals and Sueves seized upon la Galice, the Silinges la Betique, and the Alains part of Lusit ania, and the Pro­vince of Carthagene. Sixteen Years af­ter, the Vandals passed into Africk, but in the mean time Vallia King of the Visigoths who fought for the Romans, utterly extirpated the Silinges, and re­duced the Alains to that extremity, that being unable to subsist any longer by themselves, they went and submit­ted to Gunderic King of the Vandals. The Sueves maintained themselves near [Page 11]Two Ages in Spain; and at length their Kingdom was also extinguished by Leu­vilgild King of the Visigoths in the Year 588.

All these Barbarians were divided in­to several Bands or Parties, who had each their Captain, and made Incur­sions and Ravages without intermission. So far they proceeded, that there was seen at the same time People of the same Nation in Places far remote one from the other, and in Interests direct­ly opposite.

In the Year 408 Stilicon, Honorius's Lieutenant, who was accused for intro­ducing them, is massacred by the Or­der of Honorius the Emperor. Alaric King of the Visigoths his good Friend, to revenge his Death, besieged the City of Rome Three times, and the last takes it by Treason, on the Twentieth Day of August, in the Year 410. About the end of the same Year, he died in Cala­bria, as he was preparing to pass into Africk. Ataulfe his Cousin succeeded him, and espoused Placidia Sister of the Emperor Honorius, whom he had taken in Rome.

In the Year 412, Ataulfe passed into Gaul Narbonnoise, and makes himself [Page 12]Master of Narbonne. He remained there but Three Years. The Count Constantius who was since Emperor, and married Placidia his Widow, compel­led him to go into Spain, where he was killed by his own People in Barcelone, towards the Month of September, in the Year 415. They elected Sigerick in his Place, and gave him the same entertainment on the Seventh Day. Vallia his Successor was remanded into Gaul by Constantius, who gave him the Second Aquitain, with some Cities in the adjacent Provinces; amongst others, that of Toulouze, where he established his Royal Seat in the Year 419. But he died in few Months after, and Theo­dorick succeeded him. Under this King, and under Evaric or Eurick, the Visi­goths became Masters of all the Three Aquitaines, and the Two Narbon­noises.

During the great Revolt of the Ma­ritime People, to wit, those upon the Coasts of Flanders, Picardy, Normandy, and Bretagne, which happened in the Year 412, the French being joyned with them, seized upon that part of Se­cond Germany, which was called Ri­puaire, and the people Ripuarians or [Page 13] Ribarols. The Romans by Treaty or otherwise, left them the free possession of it: A little after which, Faramond began to reign. We find in the Histo­rians of those times, that the French had enjoyed several Kings before him, as Genebaud and Alec, in the Year 288, who came to Treves, to sue for a Peace of Maximilian; As also Ascaric and Radagaise, in the Year 307, whom Constan­tine took Prisoners in War, and expo­sed them to Wild Beasts in the Arena, for having taken up Arms, notwith­standing their Faith given to Constantius his Father. In the Year 374, one Mel­lobaudes, who being great Master of the Militia, and Count of the Palace of the Emperor G [...]ian, killed and sub­dued Macrian King of the Germans, and rendred many other Services to the Empire. Towards the Year 378, one Richemer who had such another Charge near Gratian, as Mellobaudes had. In the Year 382, one Priam or Priarius, whom some would have to be the Father or Grandfather of Fara­mond; besides Marcomir and Sunnon, Brethren in 397, the First of which Stilicon banished into T [...]scany, and made the other be Massacred by his own [Page 14]Creatures, when he attempted to be [...] motion to revenge the Exile of [...] Brother. And in the Year 414 or [...] one Theodemer Son of Richemer, wh [...] had his Head cut off with his mothe [...] Ascila, for some Undertakings again [...] the Empire.

Notwithstanding the common Op [...] ­nion has always begun to reckon t [...] King's of France by Faramond, whether [...] be because his Predecessors had not the [...] fixed residence in Gaul, or that he est [...] blished Royalty amongst the Frenc [...] In effect, it seems that the Romans ha [...] in some fashion subdued this Nation, an [...] since the entertainment of Marcomir [...] Sunnon, and Theodomer, they would no [...] longer permit them to have their Kings.

Faramond began to reign in the Year 418, according to the common Opinion, a Year very remarkable by a Great E­clipse of the Sun: From whom to Lewis the Fourteenth, the present King of France, are computed no less than 65 Kings.

THE Geographical Description OF FRANCE.

FRANCE then,Name. which was here­tofore called Gaul, hath received its Name from that of the an­cient People called Franks, who came from a part of Germany, to inhabit there in the time of its first Kings.

It is Scituated in the midst of the Temperate Zone,Situation. between the Forty Second and Fifty First Degree of La­titude, extending it self from the Fif­teenth Degree of Longitude, to the Twenty Ninth, insomuch that it may be computed to have 460 Miles English from South to North, from the Pyre­neans [Page 16]to Calais upon the Channel, and 600 in its greatest extent from East to West,Extent. from the point of Conquet in Bretagne to Saralbe in Lorrain.

It is bounded in the North by the Channel and the Low-Countries; Bounds. in the East by Germany, Suisserland, Savoy and Piedmont, from which it is separated by the Alps; in the South by the Me­diterrancan Sea, and the Pyrenean Mountains, which separate it from Spain; and in the West by the Ocean.

The Air is recreative and wholsome;Quality. the Soil extraordinary Fertile in Corn, Wines, Fruits and Hemp. One meets there with Delicious Medows, Pleasant Forests, and most agreeable Plains, in which one may observe a great num­ber of Cattle and Wild Fowl, as Hor­ses, Oxen, Sheep and Goats, Stags, Wild-boars, partridges, Woodcocks, Plo­vers, Quails, and other Volatils. Se­veral Authors, as Strabo and Botero, speak of its Mines of Gold and Silver. If they are rare, those of Iron; Lead, Coals and other Minerals are frequent enough. There are Quarries of most Beautiful Stone and Slat, exceeding pro­per for Buildings. Towards the South there are several Fountains of Hot and [Page 17]Mineral Waters, very relieving for many Distempers. Upon the Coasts is made a great quantity of very good Salt. Botero says, that France produces Four Load-stones, which have the ver­tue to attract the Gold and Silver of Strangers: These Four Load-Stones are Corn, Wine, Salt and Hemp. In a Word, there is all that can be desired in order to pass ones Life after a most agreeable manner.

Amongst the great Number of R [...] ­vers which fructify this Country,Rivers. Four are particularly observed, to wit, the Loire, the Seine, the Garomne, and the Rhone; all of them take their rise herein; but the last, which proceeds from the Mount St. Gothard, in the Country of the Grisons, and passes through the Lake of Geneva.

France is divided according to the Twelve great Governments which ap­peared to the General Assembly of the States held in 1614,Division. after the majority of Lewis the 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, [Page 18]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 Magni [...]cent Churches and Stately Buildings, about Two Hun­ [...] and Eight Miles almoit S. E. of [...]

The French are full of Spirit,Manners. active [Page 19]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 [Page 20]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 no [...] 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 pro [...]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 [Page 22]the Crown. The Name thereof deri­ved from Abannage, a German Word signifying a Portion.

The King of France has the Titl [...] of Most Christian King, and Elde [...] Son of the Church; the Eldest Son o [...] the king is called the Dauphin, and i [...] the presumptive Heir of the Kingdom [...] The Dutchies of Orleans, Anjou, Alen­con and Berry, as also the Earldom o [...] 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 [Page 23]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 Coronation­day; 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 [Page 24]are under its Jurisdiction.

That of Toulouse, Toulouse. was Instituted b [...] the same Philip the Fair, in the sam [...] Year, and was not fixed till under Charle [...] the Seventh, in 1443.

That of Rouen, Rouen. was Instituted by th [...] same Charles the Seventh, in the sam [...] Year, and was fixed in 1503. unde [...] the Reign of Lewis the Twelfth.

That of Grenoble, Grenoble. was Instituted se­dentary, by the same Charles the Se­venth, in the Year 1453.

That of Bourdeaux, Bourdeaux was Instituted by Lewis the Eleventh, 1462.

That of Dijon was Instituted by the same King,Dijon. in 1476.

That of Aix, Aix. by Lewis the Twelfth, in the Year 1501.

That of Rennes, Rennes. was Instituted by Henry the Second, in 1553.

That of Pau, Pau. by Henry the First, King of Navarre, in 1519.

That of Metz, Metz. was Instituted by the late King Lewis the Thirteeenth, in the Year 1633.

That of Tournay, Tournay. which is called So­vereign Council, was Instituted firxt by Lewis the Fourteenth, the present King, in 1669.

That of Dole, Dole. was Instituted in the [Page 25]Year— and rendred sedentary, by Philip the Good Duke of Bourgogne, in [...]he Year 1422. It is at present trans­ [...]erred to Besanson.

These Parliaments have in their Ju­ [...]isdiction, the Courts of Justice of those Cities, which are in the Government where they are established. That of Pau, extends it self into Bearn, the low­er Navarre, and the Country of Labourd. And that of Tournay to all the Con­quests of France, in Flanders and Hayn­ault.

The Roman Catholick Religion,Religion. is exactly followed in France, yet the Re­formed was Tolerated there not long since, but with this Circumstance, That all their Temples were situated with­out the Cities.

There are computed in France Eigh­teen Arch-Bishopricks,18 Arch-Bishop­ricks, 106 Bi­shopricks. since one may add those of Besanson [...] and 106 Bishopricks, which shall be observed in their due Places.

1. Of the Government of P [...] ­CARDY.

THis Province heretofore made par [...] of the ancient Gaul Belgick, Name. an [...] there is not an Author that could cer­tify to us, from whence this Name [...] Picardy proceeds, which is notwith­standing new.

It extends it self 132 Miles from Ea [...] to West, Extent. from between la Capelle an [...] Rocroy; to the Mouth of the River Br [...] ­sle, which separates it from Normand [...] and 102 from South to North, fro [...] Beauvaisis to Calais.

It is bounded in the East by Cham­pagne, Bounds. in the South by the Isle of France in the West by the British Sea and Nor­mandy; and in the North by the sam [...] Sea, and the Low-Countries.

Its Soil is very fertile in Corn,Quality. Pastu­rage and Fruits; but it produces littl [...] or no Wine.

Its most considerable Rivers are the Oise, Rivers. which receives the Serre, the Som­me, Authie and Canche. The two first are towards the East, and the other three run to the West, where they dis­charge [Page 27]themselves into the Sea.

In this Government are comprehend­ [...] Picardy and Artois, to which one [...]ay at present add the Conquests of the King in Flanders, Haynault, Dutchy of [...]uxembourg and Cambresis.

Picardy is divided into Seven little Provinces,Division. which keep the following Order in their Situation. First la Tie­ [...]ache lyes about the Rivers Oise and [...]erre; le Vermandois, Santerre, l' Amie­ [...]ois, which is Picardy properly speaking, [...]nd Ponthieu may be observed follow­ing the course of the River Somme. Then [...]e Boulonis, to which is added the Pais­ [...]econquis, with the Principality of Ar­dres, which is more advanced towards the North, between the Sea and Artois.

Amiens.

AMiens upon the Somme, Capital. is the Ca­pital of all the Province. 'Tis a [...]ery ancient, fair, and well fortified City. [...]t is also honoured with an Episcopal See under the Arch-Bishop of Rheims, a Mint, a Generality, and a Presidial; subject to the French King. It stands in the Road from Paris to Calais, about [Page 28]70 Miles from each. Lon. 21.26. La [...] 49, 44.

Abbeville.

Abbeville is a Modern City, divide [...] by the River Somme, Capital [...] the County of Ponthieu, which deriv [...] its Name from the great number [...] Bridges, which are to be seen full [...] Water, Lakes and Marshes; which d [...] charge themselves into the Sea, near S [...] Valery, which is a very ancient Mona­stery. About 84. Miles from Pari [...] Lon. 21.00. Lat. 50.9.

Boulogne.

BOulogne is a fair and large City, d [...] vided in two parts, the one is cal [...] ­ed the Ʋpper City, and the other [...] Lower; because 'tis built in a Plain ad [...] joyning to the Sea, where there is [...] Haven. The Ʋpper is well Fortified and has a considerable Castle. The en [...] trance of the port is a little dangerou [...] and there is more difficulty in bringing Ships in secure, than in that of Calais [...] [Page 29]The River Liane washes its Walls, and then goes to discharge it self into the Sea near Dunefort. It is a Bishoprick under the A. of Rheims, about 17 Miles from Calais, 40 from Abbeville, and 125 from Paris. Lon. 20.46. Lat. 50.47.

Calais.

CAlais in the County of Oye, is a Ci­ty so important to the Kingdom of France, that it is as it were, the Key of France on the Sea-side. Its Situation is in a curious Plain, and the Ditches filled with the Sea. The Port is very commodious and secure, by reason of two Towers that defend it from all Opposers, It stands on the Sea, about 19 Mile off Dunkirk; 96 off London, and 140 off Paris. Lon. 21.4. Lat. 51.2.

Arras.

ARras upon the Searpe, is the Capi­tal of the Country of Artois. It is a large, fair and strong City; an Epis­copal See under the Arch-Bishop of Cam­bray, [Page 30]subject to the French King. [...] ­bout 15 Miles off Doway, 20 off Ca [...] ­bray, 92 off Paris. Lon. 21.55. La [...] 50.20.

Saint-Omer.

SAint-Omer a Bishops See upon [...] Aa, and Aire upon the Velule, bo [...] in Artois, were yielded to the King [...] Spain by the Peace of 1659. But find the French are become Masters of the [...] by the Peace of Nimeguen. Lon. 21.2 [...] Lat. 50.52.

Tournay.

TOurnay upon the Scheld, is an Epi­copal City of Flanders, which Lew is the Fourteenth, has honoured with [...] Sovereign Council; under whose Juri [...] ­diction are all the Courts of Justice i [...] the Low-Countries, depending upon France. About 20 Miles off Doway, and 32 off Mons. Lon. 22.36. Lat. 50.43 [...]

Cambray.

CAmbray upon the Scheld, is the Ca­pital of Cambresis, an Arch-Bishops See, Fortisied with one of the best Ci­tadels of all the Low-Countries; which has a long time served as a Bulwork a­gainst the Spaniards. Within 34 Miles of Mons, 40 off Amiens, and 94 off Pa­ris. Luxmbourgh Capital of its Province, and Valencienne upon the Scheld, are also very considerable Places. Lon. 22.24. Lat. 50.51.

Ypres is a strong City of the Low-Countries, in the Earldom of Flanders, a Bishoprick under the A. of Mech [...]n; subject to the French. It stands in a fruitful Plain, within 18 Miles off New­port, 23 off Dunkirk, and 35 off Ghent. Lon. 22.3. Lat. 50.57.

Dunkirk is a strong Sea-Port Town and Castle in the Earldom of Flanders, subject to the French; about to Miles from Graveling, 16 off Newport, 19 off Calais, and 24 off Ostend. Lon. 21.30. Lat. 51.7.

Mons or Bergen, a very strong and rich City of the Low-Countries, Capital [Page 32]of Haiuault, subject to the French, and taken in 1691, about 27 Miles from Brussels, 37 from Namur, 120 from Pa­ris. Lon. 23.12. Lat. 50.28.

2. Of the Government of NOR­MANDY.

THis Province has lost much of its antient Lustre,Advan­tages. and the Authority which it had in the time of its antient Dukes, who were Sovereign Princes so Powerful, that they have often sustain­ed long and impetuous Wars against the Kings of France, England and other Princes, with whom they have many times contracted Alliances.

It was formerly called the Western Neustrie, Name. and the name of Normandy was given to it upon the account of the Northern People who came to inhabit there; for Nord-man in High-Dutch, signifies Man of the North.

It is Situated upon the Channel,Extent. and may extend about 186 Miles from East to West, from Aumale to the Western side of Coutantin; and 129 from South to North-east, viz. from Alenson, to the City of Eu.

The British Sea, or the Channel,Bounds. bounds it in the North and West; to­wards the East, it has the Isle of France, and the Country of Perche, with that of Maine towards the South.

The Soil is Fertile enough in Corn,Quality. Pasturage and Hemp, and abounds in Wood and Fruits; it produces but little or no Wine, Cyder and Beer be­ing the most usual Liquors. There is to be found also several Mines of Iron. Fish is so common there, that it is as it were given away. There are very good Quarries for Structure, and also your Marble, Slat, &c. not slightly to be esteemed of. As for Mineral Waters, they are to be met with in divers Pla­ces; those of Forges are of the greatest Repute, and most frequented. The Country excels in many agreeable Fo­rests, in number of Fir-Trees, and a great quantity of White Salt, which is conveyed to Paris. The Inhabitants 'tis said are so disposed to plead one a­gainst another, and so well versed in all the Tricks of the Court, that they e­steem much rather to go to the extre­mity of Justice, than to reconcile mat­ters by Civility and Sweetness, and without having recourse to Process, [Page 34]which is the reason that the very Ru­sticks are almost all Lawyers. I have read a Story of Two Neighbours, tha [...] quarrell'd to that Extremity about a Mag-Py's Nest which was built upon one Man's Tree, and inclined over th [...] Land of the other, that they redu­ced themselves to the very brink o [...] Ruin.

Its chief Rivers are the Seine, Rivers. i [...] which the Eure discharges it self and the Rille, which hides it self under ground for the space of a League nea [...] B [...]aumont le Roger; the Orne which goes up to Caen, and the Vere which passe [...] by St. Lo, and separates the Bishoprich of Coutance from that of Bayeux.

The Government extends it self no further than this Province,Extent. which is divided into Upper and Lower: The Upper comprehends the Bayliwicks of Roüen, Evreux, Caux, and Gisors: The Lower those of Caën Alenson, and Cou­tance. It is again divided into Seven Diocesses, whose Episcopal Cities are Roüen, Lisieux, Bayeux, Coutance, Au­ranche, Seez, and Evreux. The Four First are to be found in order upon the Channel of England, going from East to West; the Three others are to the [Page 35]South of them, and meet in their turn from West to East.

The Diocess of Roüen comprehends Four little Countries, which are called Caux, Bray, Vexin, Normand, and Rou­mais: In that of Caux, there is the Land of Yvelot, which certain Authors Mis-in­formed, have pretended to have been raised to a Kingdom by King Clotaire: But this Opinion is of no credit, and it only bears the Title of a Principa­lity.

To the West of the Bishoprick of Coutance, one finds the Isle of Jersey, under the 18 Deg. 10 Min. of Lon­gitude, and the 49.30 Min. of Latitude; and the Isle of Garnsey, under the 17.40 Min. of Longitude, and the 49.30 Min. of Latitude, and several other little Adjacent Isles.

These Islands are in the Authority of the King of England, and these Two may have each about 24 or 30 Miles of Circuit, and were heretofore a part of Normandy. The most considerable Cities take as follows.

Rouen.

ROüen or Roan, upon the River Seine, is the Capital of Normandy, a very large and stately City, one of the best of France, and most advantagiously Seated for Trade, by reason of the Flux and Reflux of the Sea; it has an Archbi­shop, a Parliament, and a Sea-Port, which are Three things that will at any time make a City recommendable; and also a Mint and a Generality. Its Situation is in a delightful Plain, bordered on one side with several agreeable Mountains covered with Trees, and on the other side, wash'd with the River Seine; to which are adjoyning many pleasant Meadows. The Cathedral Church is a very stately Building, in which there are Three Towers, whereof one is co­vered with Lead, which Time seems to have changed almost into the colour of Copper, and whose Height is above 550 Steps: The Tombs of the Dukes of Normandy, and the Arch-bishops of the Place; the Statue of Charles the Fifth in White Marble; its Organs of an extraordinary bigness, the Body of [Page 37]it supported by Twenty One Pillars, but more particularly the Choir and Sacerdotal Ornaments, presented by William King of England, and the Car­dinal Amboise, as also its Treasure, which [...]s very curious to see, upon the account of the Splendour and Riches of the Vessels, Mitres, &c. all emboss'd with Gold and Stones of Value; but prin­cipally a Sacred Mantle of Needle-Work, representing Jesus Christ amongst the Doctors, in the middle, receiving Baptism by St. John, all which is very glorious and remarkable; besides many other Curiosities, which it would be too tedious to insert. There is one thing very observable upon the portal of this Church, which is a Triumphant Arch, representing Henry the Fourth, who chases the Lions and the Wolves from his Flock, and encourageth his Sheep; whilst on the other side he sees the Ligue bound in chains, and King of Spain who is near a Clock, pensive and Melancholy at the sight of so ma­ny illustrious Actions. The Government of the Province makes his usual residence at Roüen, which is within 60 Miles of Amiens, 69 of Paris, and 145 of Lon­don. Lon. 20.2. Lat. 49.26.

Caen.

CAën upon the River Orne, passes fo [...] the Second City of Normandy, both as to its Extent, Antiquity. and Situa­tion. 'Tis said that this City became s [...] Rich and Powerful by the residence o [...] the English during their Wars with France, and also by reason of the grea [...] Privileges it is invested with: For be­sides the University, founded by Charle [...] the Seventh, it is honoured with a Ge­nerality, a Presidial and a Bayliwick Moreover it is enriched with Nineteen or Twenty Churches, besides a great number of Religious Houses; about 70 Miles from Roüen Lon. 18.12. Lat. 49.19.

Diepe.

DIepe is a Town of Reputation, by reason of its noble Haven, and the great quantity of good Merchandise and the vast Traffick it makes in all Places of Europe. The River Argue [...] on which it stands, renders it exceeding [Page 39]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. 'Tis 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 [Page 40]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 exte [...] ­sive of the Twelve, which we ha [...] observed in the Division of France, y [...] it is without contradiction the most a [...] vantagious and charming, not only u [...] on the account of its natural Beau [...] and the stately Houses of Pleasure whi [...] are to be met with therein, but also [...] the advantage of enjoying for the m [...] part the Presence of the King a [...] Court.

The Isle of France, to speak wi [...] propriety, is comprised between the P [...] vers of Seine, Marne, Oise and Aisne [...] but there is added to in some parts [...] the adjoyning Provinces whereof i [...] Government is composed to accompan [...] somewhat better the Metropolis of th [...] Kingdom. It is [...] the Isle of Franc [...] to distinguish it from the main Cont [...] ­nent of [...] and is made to exten [...] 10 [...] from East to West, viz. fro [...] [...] upon the Aisne to Gison [...] and as many from North to South from beyond Noyon to Courteny in G [...] ­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 [Page 44]Kingdom: It is in Compass about Eigh [...] Miles, of an Orbicular Form, agreeabl [...] seated on the Divisions of the Seine, a Fair, Large and Populous City, but fa [...] 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 Subur [...] comprehended. Whereas if the trut [...] were impartially delivered, Lond [...] 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 King [...] time. The Fortifications are of n [...] 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 i [...] was, because on the least Calamity i [...] used to Capitulate. It has the conve­niency of Boats and Barges served by the River Seine, as the Thame Westward doth London. It has an [...] Arch-Bishop and an University of great repute, consisting of 52 Colledges, whereof 40 are of little use. It is a [...] Parliament City, and the usual Seat of the French King, when absent from [Page 45] 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 Government of CHAMPAGNE.

THis Country was heretofore famous through the Grandeure of its an­cient Earls, who were Sovereign Prin­ces, and withal so powerful, that they have sustained long and vigorous Wars against the Kings of France and Bur­gundy, and so nobly esteemed of, that those Kings have not disdained to seek their Alliance. They bear the Title of Earl and Pear of France.

Its Name undoubtedly proceeds from the delightful and spacious Plains that are therein, particularly about Rheims and Chaalons.

It extends it self above 138 Miles from West to South-East, from Lagny in Brie to Bourbonnecls-Bains in Bassigny: and 162 from South to North, from Ravieres in Senonois to Rocroy in Rhetelo. It is bounded on the North by the Duchy of Luxemburg and Haynault: on the East by Lorrain: on the South by Burgundy: and on the West by the Isle of France.

The Soil is for the most part white and chalky, bearing no other Corn but Rye: yet it produces most ex­cellent Wine. There are but few Fo­rests towards the South; but in the Nothern part they are more frequent, where also is to be found several Mines of Iron.

Its principal Rivers are the Seine, which receives the Ionne and the Aube; the Marne; the Aisne; and the Vesle.

This Government comprehends Cham­pagne and Brie. Champagne is divided into Upper and Lower. The first com­prises the Territories of Chaalons and Rheims, Pershois, Rethelois and the Prin­cipality [Page 48]of Sedan and Raucort with the Provostship of Donchery. The other comprehends the Territory of Troyes Vallage and Bassigny, together with Se­nonois. The chief Cities are

Troyes.

TRoyes upon the Seine, is the Ca­pital City of the whole Province. It was the Habitation of the ancient Earls of Champagne, whose Tombs it still preserves; it doth now enclose ma­ny Jurisdictions, being one of the best of the Kingdom, very populous and rich, upon the account of its Fairs, in­habited by a great number of substanti­al Merchants. Among other things they make here a vast Quantity of Pa­per. It is adorned with an Episcopal See, a Mint and a Presidial. About 32 Miles from Sens, 68 from Rheims, and 80 from Paris, Longitude 23.17. La­titude 48.7.

Rheims.

AN Archbishops See, who is the first Duke and Peer of France, seated upon the River Ʋasle. At this City the Kings of France are usually crowned, that so they may enjoy the Unction of a sacred Oil preserved in the Cathedral Church here, which they say, came down from Heaven, and ne­ver decreaseth, the Truth of which I leave to the Reader's Judgment, to de­termine, especially if he has read Gre­gory d' Tours, who is so prodigal of his Miracles, and yet doth not mention this. The Arch-Bishop hereof has the Glory and Privilege of anointing the French Kings. It is a Presidial See, and an University of no small esteem, wherein there is a College appointed for the Education of young English Fugitives. The first Seminary for this purpose was erected at Doway, in the year 1568. A second at Rome by Pope Gregory the Thirteenth; a 3d. at Valladolid in Spain by King Philip II. a fourth in Lovain, a Town of Brabant; and a fifth here by the Dukes of Guise, about 72 miles [Page 50]from Paris, Longitude 23.18. Lati­tude 49.13.

Sens.

BEtween the Rivers Yonne and Seine stands the City of Sens, (Civita [...] Senonum in Antoninus) renowned for the ancient Senonois, who made great Conquests in Italy and Greece. The Cathedral Church has Ornaments of an immense value, the Appurtenances of the Altar being of Massy Gold, garnished with Pearls. It has an Archbishop, who styles himself Primate of the Gauls; also a Bayliwick and a Presidial. A­bout 30 Miles from Troyes, 28 from Auxerre, 60 from Paris, Long. 22.29. Lat. 48.2.

Langres.

THe Capital of Bassigny seated very advantagiously near the River Marne, and not far from the Head-Spring or Fountain of the River Seine. One may see here Marks of a great Antiquity; 'tis very strong, and has the [Page 51]Reputation of being never taken. Its Bishop is a Duke and one of the twelve ancient Peers of France; He is also a Marquis, Earl and Baron: It has also a Presidial See. About 40 Miles from Dijon, 56 from Troyes, Long. 24.32. Lat. 47.44.

Chaalons,

UPon the River Marne is famous for the great quantity of Woollen-Cloth it conveys to Paris by way of the Marne. In the year 453. there was a memorable Battel fought in the Neighbouring Plains, where Attila King of the Huns, who qualified him­self the Scourge of God, was defeated by Merouee, assisted by Theodoric King of the Visigoths, who was slain, and Aetius Lieutenant to the Emperor Va­lentinian the Third; 180000 Men were left upon the place. It is a Bishops See, who is an Earl and Peer, and has a Generality and Presidial. About 24 Miles from Rheims, 50 from Troyes, Long. 23.38. Lat. 48.54.

Rethel.

BEtween the Aisne and the Meuse lies Rethel, which communicates its Name to the Dutchy of Rethelois, and which is at present called Mazarin. Few Cities have been so often taken, as this has been in the last Wars. There was an expectation in these Quarters of Seeing the Conjunction of the Ri­ver Aisne with the Meuse, by the means of the little River Barre, and so to have the conveniences of Navigation by Rivers from Paris to Holland; a­bout 22 Miles from Rheims, and 24 from Chaalons, Long. 23.42. Lat. 49.29.

Brie.

THis Province is situated between the Seine and the Marne, and its Extent from East to West is about 30 or 36 Miles, from North to South much the same distance.

Its Soil is not every where alike; for near Champagne and towards Cha­teau-Thierry [Page 53]it produces tolerable Wine; and towards the Isle of France, as also about Meaux, the Wine is much grosser. There is every where good store of Corn, delicious Fruits, and good Pasturage. The Country is very fine, and very a­greeable for the diversion of Hunting.

Meaux.

UPon the River Marne is the most considerable of the Cities of the Upper Brie. It is very ancient, ho­noured with a Bishoprick and a Bayli­wick; about 24 Miles from Paris. Chateau-Thierry upon the same River bears the Title of Dutchy, and passes for the Capital of the Upper Brie. It is adorned with a Bayliwick, and a Presidial See. Provins upon the little River of Vouzie, is received by some for the Metropolis of all Brie, seated in the Lower, and is sufficiently known for the excellent Conserve of Roses, which is made there.

5. Of the Government of BRE­TAGNE.

AFter that Maximus had usurped the Empire, and that the Army which he commanded in England, had proclaimed him Emperour, Conan, one of his most famous Captains, who had been very assistant to him in that great undertaking, soon obtained a Recom­pence for his Services. The Emperor gave him the possession of Bretagne, whereof Conan took the Quality of King, in the year 300. His Successors quitted this noble Title in 878. under the Reign of Lewis le Begue King of France, to take the Quality of Earls. At length they were made Dukes and Peers in 1520. and became very power­ful by their great Alliances. The last of its Dukes dying, left only a Daugh­ter, who was married to Charles the Eighth, and afterwards to Lewis the Twelfth, Kings of France. Thus this Dukedom was united to the Crown, from which it has not been dismem­bred since.

Bretagne was anciently called Arme­rique, Name. as being situated along the Sea. Some pretend that its new Name was given to it by some People of Great Britain, who came to inhabit there, or else from Brutus King of the Gauls; but there is more probability, that this Name proceeds from an old Gaulish word called Brit, which signifies painted, because its ancient Inhabitants used to paint their Beards and their Hair.

This Province has about 180 Miles from East to West,Extent. from beyond Vitrey to the Point of Conquet; and 120 from South to North, from the Isle of Boüin to the Mouth of the River Coüonon, to­wards St. Michael's Mount.

It is bounded on the East by Anjou and Main, Bounds. advancing it self towards the West like a Peninsula, to the O­cean, which confines it on the other sides.

The Soil abounds in excellent Pa­sturage and Cattel,Quality. from whence they furnish themselves with very good But­ter: They have good store of Corn, some Wine, Linnen, and Fruits in a great quantity. They make Salt upon the Coasts, and abound in ex­cellent Fish. Here also are the best Sea-Ports of the whole Kingdom.

Amongst the Number of Rivers which water this Country,Rivers. is observed the Loire; the Villaine, which receives the Ouste: Those of Blavet, Auffen, Trieux, and Rance. Yet these laft are no where considerable, but at their Mouths.

The Government of Bretagne is li­mited in this single Province,Division. which is divided into Upper and Lower, this towards the West, and the other to­wards the East. They that consider the different Languages of the Pro­vince, divide it into three parts; they attribute to the Bishopricks of Dol Ren­nes and St. Malo the use of the French Tongue; they say that the British Tongue, which is a remainder of the Gaulish, is received amongst the Inha­bitants of the Bishopricks of Cornoüaille, St. Pol de Leon▪ and Trequier: They give a mixt Language to the Bi­shopricks of Nantes, Vennes, and St. Brieux. These Nine Bishopricks are under the Archbishop of Tours.

Rennes.

UPon the Villaine is the largest City,Capital. and Capital of the whole Pro­vince, the usual Residence of a Bishop, and Parliament. It is seated in the Upper Bretagne, and has the Privilege of coining Mony; about 50 Miles from Nantes. 115 from Rochelle, &c. Long. 16.30. Lat. 48.3.

Nantes,

UPon the Loire, is the strongest, and more commodious for Traffick by the means of the Loire, over which it has a very fine Bridge, and by reason of the Flux and Reflux of the Sea. Under the Name of Cardivicum, and Corbilo it is esteemed one of the three most ancient Cities of [...] has a Generality, a Mint, and [...]. It was the Habitation of [...] Dukes of Bretagne and [...] of their Eldest Sons, under [...] of Earls, as also Dinan [...] [...] of their Youngest, It is a Bishops [...] [Page 58]as St. Malo, Dol, and St. Brieux; a­bout 44 Miles from Angers, 68 from Rochelle, Long. 16.48. Lat. 47.13.

St. Malo.

THe strong Situation of St. Malo up­on the Sea, and its vast Correspon­dence in Foreign Countries render it one of the most considerable places of the Kingdom. It is guarded at Night by very fierce Dogs of an English Breed, which go the Rounds of the City. The Discovery of Canada is owing to one of its Inhabitants, called James Cartier. In the year 1661. it suffered a great Loss by a Fire, which con­sumed a part of the Houses; about 12 Miles from Dol, and 42 from Ren­nes, Long. 16.8. Lat. 48.40.

Dol.

IT stands in a Marshy Ground, and is said to contain some Family, who bear the Name of Devils, perhaps be­cause they are the Remainders of the ancient People Diablintes, Some Dukes [Page 59]of Bretagne had a design to have e­rected the Bishoprick of Dol into an Archbishoprick. About 33 Miles from Rennes, Long. 16.22. Lat. 48.34. St. Brieux a Bishops See, was the only City, which preserved it self during the Wars between the Families of Blois and Mont fort; it stands on the Sea a­bout 55 Miles from Rennes. The Five foregoing Cities are in the Upper Bre­tagne.

Brest.

IN a Gulf, where the Sea makes Four different Entries, is esteemed one of the best Sea-Ports of Europe: Indeed the Ships are always afloat there, were they of Two Thousand Tun. It is the principal Magazine of the Admi­ralty of France for Vessels, which go upon the Ocean; seated in the Lower Bretagne. About 125 Miles from, Ren­nes, 120 from St. Malo, 320 from Pa­ris, Long. 13.18. Lat. 47.58.

Blavet.

BLavet, aliás Port-Loüis, was former­ly given to the Spaniards by those of the Ligue: and during the War a­gainst those of the Reformed Religion, the Sieur de Soubise had a design to render himself Master of it. This and Brest bear the Lawrel from all the rest by reason of their strong Fortifications together with the Goodness and Great­ness of their Ports. It stands in the Lower Bretagne about 82 Miles from Rennes, and 60 from Brest, Long. 14.42. Lat. 47.23. In the Sea of Gas­cogne under the 17th Degree of La­titude there is an Island, which is called Bell-Isle, which extends it self about 21 Miles in Length, 9 in Breadth, and about 54 in Circumference. It is considerable for the Passage of Ships along its Coasts; and for its strong Castle which the Hollanders attak'd in vain An. 1674. notwithstanding their puissant Naval Army for that Effect. Oüessant, a little Island nearer the Shoar, towards the West, has the Title of Marquisat, as well as Bell-Isle.

6. Of the Government of OR­LEANOIS.

THis is one of the best and most a­greeable Countries of France, as al­so the most extensive of its Govern­ments: for it comprehends Fourteen or Fifteen Provinces or Countries. It is called the Government of Orleanois, Name. because Orleans is the most remarkable among the Cities.

It has near 300 Miles from East to West,Extent. from beyond Chinon-Castle in Nivernois, to the Extremity of Poisou; and near 204 from South to North, from Monbrun in Angoumois to Nonan-court in Normandy.

It is bounded in the East by Burgun­dy and Champagne; Bounds. in the North by the Isle of France and Normandy; in the West by Bretagne and the Sea; and in the South by Saintonge, Peri­gord, la Marche, and Bourbonnois.

The Soil is very fertile in Corn,Quality. Wine, Cattle, and in a word, all things that may conduce to the satis­faction of Life. Amongst other Woody parts, it to be seen the Forest of Or­leans, [Page 62]that contains 70000 Acres; an [...] 'tis said that in the time of Francis th [...] First, it contained 140000. There i [...] no Country in France, where one mee [...] with so many Paved Ways as here.

It is watered with a great number o [...] Rivers,Rivers. amongst which 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 i [...] Touraine. The Mayne after having re­ceiv'd the Loire, joyned to the Sarte be [...] ­low Angers, 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 [Page 63]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 [Page 64]Miles from Paris. Lon. 20.42. Lat. 47.44.

Nevers,

FOrmerly called Noviodunum Adu [...] ­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 Angers, 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.

Angers,

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 [Page 66]Houses covered with which makes it be called the Black Ci [...] It is renowned for its University, a [...] the fine Procession upon Christmas-day which every Year draws many Stran [...] ­ers to this City. It has a Bishop und [...] the A. of Tours, a Bayliwick, a Presidi­al, and a Mint. About 60 Miles fr [...] Tours, and nigh 160 from Paris, Lon. 17.48. Lat. 47.27.

Poitiers,

THe Capital of Poitou, upon the Ri­ver Clai [...], is one of the largest [...] the Kingdom; for it yields to none b [...] Paris in bigness. It contains a great ma­ny of the Roman Antiquities; 25 Pa­rishes, and is adorned with an Episcopa [...] See under the A. of Bourdeax; a Gene­rality, Mint, and an University fa­mous for the Civil Law. The Batte [...] of Poitiers was very unlucky to th [...] French, and the English were doubl [...] 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 [Page 67]Wars. About 48 Miles from Tours, [...]5 from Rochelle, 94 from Orleans. Lon. [...]9.00. Lat. 46.34.

Mans,

THe Capital City of Maine, is most agreeably seated upon the Sarte, [...]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 Angers, 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 [...] ­ausse, and the Country of Chartr [...] It once had its particular Kings, a [...] has now the Title of a Dutchy, a [...] preserves the Ruins of a Temple bu [...] before the Nativity of Jesus Chri [...] 'Tis said the City was built before [...] Deluge, and 'twas there the Druids [...] ciently Assembled. Its Cathedral Churc [...] which is a Bishops See, passes for o [...] of the Ancientests of Christendom; th [...] two Bells whereof are the finest, and th [...] largest in France. The Bishop has mo [...] Parishes in his Jurisdiction, than any [...] ther of the Kingdom. About 42 Mil [...] 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 ancien [...] and powerful City, under the Name o [...] Avaricum Biturigum; seated upon th [...] River Eure. It has seven great Gate [...] [Page 69]as many Suburbs, 17 Parishes, and a [...]reat number of other Churches. It is [...]onoured with an Archbishoprick, an University, a Generality, a Bayliwick, [...] Presidial See, and a Mint. Its Arch­ [...]ishop qualifies himself Patriach and [...]rimat of Aquitain; but that of Bour­ [...]eaux disputes this Title with him. It [...] about 35 Miles from Nevers, 55 from [...]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 its 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 to it, is that of the Year 1627, where Cardinal Richlieu ordered the Erection of that famous Bank in the Sea, which has ser­ved as an Admiration to the whole World. The remainders of it are yet to be seen, [Page 70]when the Sea retires. It stands on th [...] Ocean, where is an excellent Bay. A­bout 68 Miles from Nantes, 80 fro [...] Bourdeaux, and 230 from Paris. Lon. 17.17. Lat. 46.7.

Angouleme.

THe Capital City of Angomois, very ancient and strong, both together Francis the First, erected it into a Du­chy for his Third Son. This King was Earl of Angouleme when he came to the Crown. The Bishop stiles himself Arch-Chaplain to the King, and Baron de L [...] Paine; which is a Lordship within the City. It has this advantage, as well as Poitiers, that its Mayor and Sheriffs are enobled with their Descendents, by the Priviledges which King Charles the Fifth has granted to them. It stands on the River Charente, 65 Miles from Ro­chelle, and 210 from Paris. Lon. 18.14. Lat. 45.46.

7. Of the Government of BUR­GUNDY.

THis is but the Eighth part of the Antient Kingdom of Burgundy, al­though this alone has vulgarly retained [...]he Name. This Kingdom compre­ [...]ended Savoy, Suisserland, the Dutchy of Zeringhen, Provence, Dauphine, Lyon­nois, the Dutchy and County of Bur­gundy, known under the Name of Franche-County. Now there is but Two Provinces that bear the Name of Bur­gundy, both which are at present French Dominions, viz. that which belonged to the Spaniard, which is called Franche-County, Ʋpper Burgundy, and even Impe­rial Burgundy by the Germans; and French Burgundy, which has born the Title of Dutchy, time out of Mind, and is called the Royal and Lower Burgundy. The Name of Burgundy proceeds from the Burgundiones,Name. a People of Germa­ny, who took the place of the antient Adui, the sincere Friends of the Romans in this Province. Some Etymologists make it come from the Town of Ougne, [Page 72]which is to be found towards the Source of the River Tille.

'Tis of the Dutchy, and la Bresse which is annexed to it, that I design [...] speak. Its antient Dukes were for­merly very powerful, and able to su­stain long and vigorous Wars against their Neighbours. They possessed this Province for almost Six Hundred Years The last was killed before Nancy, in 1477, and left no other Issue than a Daughter, who was Married to Maxi­milian, Arch-Duke of Austria, who since was Emperor. So Lewis the E­leventh King of France re-united this Flower to his Crown, as a Masculine Fee.

It extends it self from East to West above 90 Miles,Extent. from Fontaine-Francoise, towards the Franche-County, to Güaine in Auxerrois; and about 135 from South to North, from Semeur in Briennois, to Chaleau-Villain in Champagne, without comprehending la Bresse, which yet ad­vances near 30 Miles more towards the South.

It is bounded in the North by Cham­pagne, in the East by Franche-County, Bounds. and Savoy; in the South by Dauphine, and Lyonncis; and in the West by Bour­bonnois, and Niverneis.

Its Situation makes it one of the Largest, most Fruitful, and most Popu­lous Province of the Kingdom. The Wines are incomparable,Quality. and the other Conveniencies of Life are so considera­ble here, that it is called the Mother of Corn, Wines, and Waters. There are also many pleasant Woods and Fo­rests, where there is most excellent Hunting. The delicious Medows, and sine Pasture-Grounds nourish a sufficient number of Cattel. Here is to be found some Mines of Iron, &c.

The most considerable of its Rivers is the Saone; the Yonne passes by Auxerre; Rivers. the Ain through Bresse; the Seine, Ar­menson and Arroux, take their Originals from hence.

Dijon,

UPon the River Ouche, Capital. is the Capital of the Province. 'Tis a very an­tient City, adorned with a Parliament, a Generality, and a Mint; but it has no Bishop, and depends upon that of Langres in Bassigny, for the Spirituality. Near this City is to be seen the Village of Fontanes, where St. Bernard was [Page 74]Born; amongst the chief Edifices o [...] Dijon, they make great account of [...] Holy Chappel, and several Halls, bui [...] in the time of the Dukes of Burgundy for the Lords of the Neighbourhood It is about 40 Miles from Autun, 55 from Besanson, 146 from Paris. Lon. 24.5. Lat. 43.37.

Autun,

UPon the River Arroux, is an Epis­copal City, very antient, and that of all France, which has the finest Re­licks of Antiquity: It is also famous for the Institution of the Order of the Fleece. Its Bishop presides over the States of Burgundy, which are held eve­ry Three Years. Near this City Julius Caesar overcame the Switzers, who de­signed to establish themselves in Gaul, about 32 Miles from Challon, 50 from Nevers, and 145 from Paris. Lon. 23.20. Lat. 46.38.

Auxerre, Chalon, and Mascon, are considerable for their Episcopal Sees, the first renowned for its excellent Wines.

La Bresse, to which I will add the Bayliwick of Gex, is bounded on the East with Savoy, on the West with Lyon­nois, on the North with Charolois in the Dutchy of Burgundy, and some part of the Franche-County; and on the South with Dauphine. The Country is very Fruit­ful and pleasant, embraced between the Rivers Saone and Rhône, with which 'tis plentifully Watered.

Bourg en Bresse.

THE Capital of the whole Province was heretofore a Bishops See. Its Cittadel was so strong a Fortress before it was demolished, that it was esteemed little inferior to St. Katharines or Mont­meillan in Savoy. The Church of Brou is an Admirable Structure. It contains the Tombs of several Dukes of Savoy; it stands on the River Resouse, about 34 Miles from Lyons, and 48 from Geneva. Lon. 24.31, Lat. 45.54.

Bellay,

THE Capital of Bugey, is a Bishops See, who stiles himself Prince of the Empire, and Temporal Lord of his City. One of its late Bishops has been one of the most Copious Writers of France. It stands on the River Rhone, 18 Miles from Chambery, and 40 from Lyons. Lon. 25.8. Lat. 45.28.

The Principality of Dombes lies within the bounds of Bresse. Ma­demoiselle d'Orleans, to whom it be­longs, has coined Mony in the City of Trevoux, upon the Saone, which is the Capital thereof.

8. Of the Government of LY­ONNOIS.

BEhold the ancient Celtick Gaul, or at least the greatest part, whereof M. d'Ʋrfe, has said so many Wonders in his Romance of Astraea. Its Druids, and the exactness wherewith they observed here the antient Religion of the Gauis, has rendered it famous in these remote [...]es.

One comprehends in this Government Lyonnois in particular, Beaujolois, Forez, l'Auvergne, la Marche, and Bourbon­nois.

It extends it self from East to West,Extent. about 210 Miles from Lyons to the ex­tremity of La Marche, even beyond the River Vienne, and above 150 from South to North, from the extremity of Au­vergne, to Neron de la Guierche towards Berry.

It is bounded in the North by Berry and Nivernois, Bounds. in the East by Bresse and Dauphine, in the South by Cevennes, and Rouergue, and in the West by Quercy, Limosin, and Angoumois.

The Soil is not generally Fertile,Quality. by reason of the great Number of Moun­tains and Forests, which are to be met with in some of its Provinces.

The Rhône, the Saone, the Loire, Rivers. and the Allier are the most celebrated Ri­vers that water the extent of this Go­vernment.

Lyonnois is one of the most agreeable Countries of France, being diversified with Plains and delicious Hills, which produce very good Corn, excellent Wines, and great store of different [Page 78]Fruits, particularly Chesnuts, which ar [...] transported all over Europe.

Lyons,

ONE of the most ancient and cele­brated Cities of Gaul, is a Noble City, since its Situation is exceeding pleasant; its Climat very Healthful, its Places and Edifices most Magnificent. It is at present one of the Richest and most Populous Cities of the Kingdom, in Merchants Trading in several Places by means of the Loire, the Saone, and the Rhône: There are Banks and Corres­pondencies for Africa, Asia, and all the principal states of Europe, all sorts of Manufactures, and Impressions of Books, It was formerly a Colony of the Ro­mans. Its Mayor and Sheriffs are enno­bled, and transmit their Honour to their Posterity. The Canons of the Cathedral Church are to be Noble in the Fourth Race, and bear the Title of Earls. It has an Archbishop, who qua­lifies himself Primat of the Gauls. There is also a Generality, a Mint, and a Pre­sidial See. It is seated on the Conflu­ence of the Rhône, and the Saone, about [Page 79]16 Miles from Vienne, 70 from Geneva, 150 from Turin, 200 from Orleans, and 230 from Paris. Lon. 24.8. Lat. 45.24.

Beaujeu,

UPon the Ardiere is the Capital of Beaujolois. There is nothing re­commendable in this City, but a very antient work of Embroidery, which represents the Sacrifice of a Hog, a Sheep, and a Bull, which is to be seen over the Portal of the Principal Church. The Romans called these Sacrifices, Suovetauralia. It stands on the Brow of a Hill, about 30 Miles from Lyons, and 14 from Mascon. Lon. 23.50. Lat. 45.50.

Mont-Brison,

UPon the Vezise passes for the Capi­tal of Forez. It is famous for an Admirable Piece of Clock-work, about 43 Miles from Lyons. Lon. 23.10. Lat. 45.14.

Clermont.

THis City is not only the Capital o [...] Lower Auvergne, but of the whole Province: It is renowned in History for the holding of several Councils. Under King Philip the First, the Voyage of the Holy Land was here resolved on. Here is said to be a Fountain which has the vertue to Petrify, for with the single course of its Waters, which seem to be thick and bituminous; it has made a Wall 200 Yards long, and 4 yards high, with a Bridge, which they are obliged to cut down sometimes to prevent its too great encrease. King Charles the Ninth had the curiosity to go and see it in his Journy to Bayonne. It is an Episcopal See, and stands on a little Hill about 50 Miles from Moulins, 90 from Lyons, and 200 from Paris. Lon. 22.00. Lat. 45.28.

Saint Flour, is the Capital of Upper Auvergne, remarkable for its Bishops See, about 45 Miles from Clermont.

Riom, Capital of the Dutchy of Au­vergne, holds the Second Rank after Clermont. It is adorned with a Genera­lity, [Page 81]a Mint, Presidial, and other Pre­rogatives; about 7 Miles from Cler­mont.

Moulins.

THis City is the Capital of the Pro­vince of Bourbonnois, accompanied with a Castle considerable for its strength and building. It has likewise very sine and large Suburbs, where is made the best sort of Knives and Scissars, which are Transported from thence. It has a Generality, upon which depend the E­lections of Montlucon, Gannat and Es­vaon, and some others of Nivernois, and the Upper Marche. The Inhabitants have the reputation of being Civil and Officious. It stands nigh the Center of all France, on the River Allier, about 28 Miles from Nevers, 96 from Lyons, and 90 from Dijon. Lon. 22.14. Lat. 46.16.

Gueret with its Royal Jurisdictions, is the Capital of the Upper Marche, it stands on the River Cruse, about 32 Miles from Limoges. Dorat is the Ca­pital of the Lower Marche, about 26 Miles from Limoges, and 47 from Poi­tiers.

9. Of the Government of GUY­ENNE.

THis Country was antiently called the Kingdom of Aquitain, ab A­quis, because of the great number of Springs and Fountains of Hot Water. Eleanor, Inheritrix of this Province, and Wife of Loüis the Young King of France, having been Divorced, espoused Henry King of England, to whom she brought for a Dowry this Guyenne, which Loüis had rendred to her. This was a Fire­brand that kindled between the Two Crowns a War, which lasted near 300 years, and finished but in 1443.

The Government of Guyenne is full as spacious as Orleanois, Extent. since it extends it self from East to West above 240 Miles, from St. John de Breüil, Frontier of Languedoc, to the Sea; and from South to North above 225, from the Port of Albe in Cominge, to Niort in Poitou.

It is bounded in the North by Poitou, Angoumois, Bounds. and la Marche; in the East by Auvergne, and Languedoc; in the South by the Pyrenaean Mountains, [Page 83]which separate it from Spain; and in the West by the Ocean.

The Air is generally wholesom e­nough,Quality. the Soil fertile in Corn, Wine and Fruits, except in the Lands to­wards the Coasts, and the Pyrenaeans, where it produces nothing, but Broom and Pasturage, which feed a good num­ber of Cattel. Fountains of hot Wa­ter are generally to be found here.

It is watered with a great Number of Rivers,Rivers. amongst which is remarked the Garomne, the Lot, the Dordonne, l'Adour, and the Charnte. The Con­fluence of the Garomne and the Dordonne, which is made at the Mouth of Ambez is very dangerous.

It is to be observed, that from the Mouth of Ambez to the Sea, this River is called Gironde, and not Garomne, as Sanson has marked in all his Maps.

It is divided into two principal Parts, whereof one, that is towards the North, retains the Name of Guyenne, and the other, which is towards the South, is called in general Gascogne.

Guyenne distinguisht into Eight little Countries. First of all, one observes observes Guyenne (properly so called) and Bazadois about the Garomne; Age­nois, [Page 84]Quercy, and Roüergue, which are to be found in order upon the Lot in ascending to its Rise; on the Northern side, Limosin is seated to the North of the Dordonne; Perigord, about the same River; and Xaintogne, about the Cha­rente, and upon the Coasts of the O­cean.

Gascogne is likewise divided into se­veral little Countries. First, Armagna [...] is distinguished in the midst, which ex­tends it self to the Pyrenaean Mountains, and is subdivided into several little Ju­risdictions, as the Upper and Lower Armagnac, the Countries of Riviere, Ver­dun, Lomagne, &c. towards the North Condommois and les Landes, towards the West, the same Lands, and the Land of Labourd; on the South, one meets with in order along the Pyre­naeans, the lower Navarre, with the Vi­county of Soul, Bearn and Bigorre; after which one rejoyns the upper Ar­magnac; and towards the East one [...]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 [Page 86]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 R [...] ­dence in Agen. About 20 Miles [...] Condom, and 35 from Aux. Long. [...] 12. Lat. 44.13. Bazas upon the V [...] ­sane is the Capital of Bazadois, a ha [...] ­som City, and stands about 25 M [...] from Bourdeaux.

Cahors.

THE River Lot during its course [...] this Province, forms Six or Se [...] indifferent large Peninsula's, in one [...] which stands Cahors, the Capital [...] of all Quercy: Henry the Great ga [...] here some Testimonies of his Condo [...] and Valour by a Battle, which he o [...] stinately fought during three days [...] cessively, to render himself Master [...] the City. Some look upon it as [...] ancient Ʋxelodunum which defended [...] self a long time against Julius Caesa [...] Pope John the 22d. was born he [...] who was called before James of C [...] ­hors. 'Tis a very ancient City, honou [...] [Page 87] [...] with an Episcopal See, a Presidial [...] a famous University; It has also [...] Remainders of an Amphitheatre. [...] Bishop takes upon him the Title of [...]arl. Near to Cahors, is to be seen the [...]sidue of an Aquaeduct, which was [...]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 [Page 88]of an Amphitheatre, which is [...] be seen there, with many other Mon [...] ­ments of Antiquity. In its Neighbou [...] hood Pepin the Short obtained a sign [...] Victory over Gayfer Duke of Aquitai [...] Anno 768. It is honoured with an [...] piscopal See, and a Presidial. It is mo [...] sweetly situated in a pleasant Valle [...] about 42 Miles from Limoges, and 6 [...] from Bourdeaux. Longitude 19.18. La­titude 45.12.

Limoges.

UPon the River Vienne is the Capita [...] 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. 'Ti [...] 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, whe [...] 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 [Page 89]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 is [...] the Capital of Saintonne; 'tis 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 [Page 90]about 38 Miles from Toulouse, 80 fro [...] Bourdeaux, and 320 from Paris. Lon. 18.50. Lat. 43.40.

Lectoure.

A Bishops See, called in our Mode [...] Lectodurum, of old Lestoracium. [...] Town so well fortified, when in th [...] possession of the Earls of Armagnac, tha [...] it maintained it self three Months against the Strength of France: But since i [...] 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 a [...] 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 Capi­ [...]l of Condomois. It is an Episcopal City, whose last Bishop has been ac­nowledged as a Person of an extraor­ [...]inary Merit, insomuch that he was [...]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 Bi­ [...]op's Sees, seated upon the River A­ [...]dour, within 32 Miles of each other; the former being the Capital of Les­Landes, the latter of the Country of La­bourd. There is a Mountain near Bay­onne, from whose top, 'tis 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 [Page 92]Glory of giving Life to King Henry [...] Great. Pau upon the River Gave is [...] Principal of all the Province, honou [...] with a Parliament or Court of Judic [...] ture for all the Country, and a fair P [...] ­lace built by Henry of Albret King [...] Navarre, and Lord of Bearn. It stan [...] 26 Miles from Aire, and 86 from Bo [...] ­deaux. Lon. 17.40. Lat. 43.23. Oler [...] mounted upon an high Hill, and Lase [...] 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 a [...] the Country of Begorre. It is abou [...] 24. Miles from Pau, and 26 from Au [...] Lon. 18.14. Lat. 43.18. Saint Be [...] ­trand upon Garomne, Capital of Cominge [...] is also a Bishops See, as is likewise Sain [...] Lizer upon the River Salat, and Lom­bez upon the Save; this last but of late erection.

10. Of the Government of LANGUEDOC.

CAEsar after the Conquest of Provence still advances into Gaul, distinguish­ [...]d the Province which we call Langue­ [...]oc, by the Name of Gaul Narbonoise: [...]n the declining of the Empire, it was [...]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 [Page 94]self from East to West, about 210 Mile [...] And near 240 from South to North-E [...] from Aiqs in the Earldom of Foix, [...] Annonay towards Lyonnois.

The Rhône separates it towards th [...] East from Dauphine and Province: Bounds. [...] ­onnis, Auvergne, Roüergue and Quer [...] bound it towards the North: Gascog [...] that is to say, Armagnac and le Coming towards the West; and Catalonia, wit [...] the Mediterranean Sea towards the Sout [...]

Languedoc passes for one of the mo [...] agreeable and fertile Provinces of th [...] Kingdom, having the Advantages o [...] 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 ancien [...] Goths, and come nearer to the Humon [...] 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 'tis more ex­cusable.

The Soil of Cevennes is very moun­ [...]inous, and infertile in many places. [...]n others it poduces Wine, Millet, Ches­ [...]uts and other Fruits. Its greatest Fer­ [...]ility is in Pasturage, which makes the Country abound in Cattel, especially in [...]heep and Mules: Here is a great store of Wildsowl, &c.

Besides the Rhône, which I have al­ [...]eady mentioned, there are several o­ther Rivers, amongst which, one ob­serves the Tarn, which passes by Montau­ [...]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. 'Tis 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 [Page 96]is distinguished into Three Parts, to w [...] 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, wh [...] made so many Conquests in Asia and Greece. It was one of the Colonies o [...] 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 [Page 97]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. Its 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 [Page 98]Town of all France: Insomuch that from it, all this part was called Galli [...] Narbonensis; a Province, of which Plin [...] 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 Ʋsez, 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. [Page 99]'Tis 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. Its 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 'tis 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 Coun­try; and remarkable for the notable Resistance it made against the whole Forces of Lewis the Thirteenth, in the last Civil Wars concerning Religion. [Page 98] [...] [Page 99] [...] [Page 100]It is about 37 Miles from Arles, 5 [...] 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 o [...] 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 [Page 101]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. O [...]o, Earl of Flanders had Franche-County: Berald of Saxo [...]y possessed himself of Savoy: Provence fell to B [...]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 [Page 102]Successors, upon condition that the Eldest Son of France should bear the Title of Dauphin, and that his Arm [...] should be quartered with those o [...] 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 'tis 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 Hol [...] which is in a great Rock near [Page 103] Nions; There goes out a Wind, which one is scarce sensible of when near it; and even boisterous at 20 or 30 Paces distance.

Its 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. 'Tis 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 [Page 104]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, [Page 105]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. Its 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. [Page 107] 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 [Page 108]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 I [...]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 [Page 109] Harcourt made here with a handful of Men.

Although Provence is divided into Ʋp­per, 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 [Page 110]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. Its Bridge of Boats over the Rhône, passes for a very Noble Work: It has a low and marshy Situa­tion, [Page 111]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. Its Port passes for one of the securest of the Mediterranean See; the Ships of France [Page 112]retire hither for the mosh part; 'tis 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 Eres, 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, a [...] 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. 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 [Page 116]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, [Page 118]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 'tis 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 [Page 119]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, [Page 120]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. [Page 121]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.

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