He had a young kinsman, Hilary by name, of whom I have already spoken,
living in the world. Honoratus sought him out in his old home and
earnestly endeavoured to draw him to embrace the monastic life. But his
persuasion failed. Hilary stubbornly refused. Before he left, Honoratus
said, “Well, then, I will obtain from God what you now refuse me.”
And he retreated, either to his cave in the Estérel or to his island
of Lerins, to pray for his relative. Three days after he was gone
Hilary changed his mind. “On the one hand,” he says, I thought I saw
God calling me; on the other the world seducing me. How often did I
embrace, and then reject, will and then not will, the same thing. But
in the end, Jesus Christ triumphed in me.” And going to the sea-coast
he boated over to Lerins.
Honoratus was elected Bishop of Arles in 426, and died in the arms of
Hilary, who succeeded him, in 429.
Who thinks of this saintly old man when in the bustling rue S. Honoré,
in Paris, that is called after him?
There is no need for me to describe the marvels of rock scenery in Mal
Infernet, the Ravin d’Uzel, the Rochers du Pigeonnier, or the many
other sights of the Estérel, for there are two or three excellent
little guide-books to this most fascinating region, easily obtainable
at Cannes.
In addition to Agay, there are other comfortable places well furnished
with hotels, where one may spend many pleasant days, as Théoule and
Le Trayas. And as there is not only the New Corniche Road, but also
the main line skirting the Estérel, it is easily accessible and easily
abandoned should books run short and rain fall.
[Illustration: WASHERWOMEN, GRASSE]
CHAPTER XI
GRASSE
Advantages of situation—Fine scenery in neighbourhood—The
_foux_—Manufactures—Romeo de Villeneuve—Charles of
Anjou—In Sicily—The Sicilian Vespers—Death of Charles—The
transfer of Episcopal Chair to Grasse from Antibes—Antoine
Godeau—Cathedral—Cathedral of Vence—Western Choirs—Attempt
to blow up the Bishop—The Hôtel Cabris—Louise de Cabris—The
Mirabeaus—Cabris—Gabriel Honoré—André Boniface—The
Gorges of the Loup—Gourdon—Mouans Sartoux—The Calvinist
Seigneur—Pompée de Grasse—Susanne de Villeneuve—François de Théas
Thorenc—Fragonard—Petty quarrels—The Flowers of Grasse.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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