_Mr. B._ My inclination would lead me to the south of France in preference to a more distant residence, provided the place should meet with your full concurrence. _Dr. A._ The places to which English invalids have been more usually sent are Montpellier, Marseilles, Toulon, and Hieres; but I never ventured an opinion with less reserve when I declare, that I regard the very coldest parts of our own country to be less inimical to delicate lungs than the sharp and piercing air of the places which I have just mentioned. As to Montpellier, I am at a loss to understand how it could ever have obtained a reputation for its climate; and yet so universal was the belief, that its very name became, as you must well know, a characteristic epithet to places supposed to be preeminently salubrious. _Mr. B._ Is it not remarkable for its clear blue sky, the very idea of which will always carry a charm with it to an Englishman? _Dr. A._ Clear and brilliant enough, but the air is at the same time so sharp and biting, that every mouthful irritates the lungs, and produces excessive coughing,--and then you are, moreover, constantly assailed by one or the other of two destructive winds,--the _Bize_ bringing cold, and the _Marin_, moisture. _Mr. B._ And yet to this same _Bize_, of whose sharpness you so greatly complain, did the Emperor Augustus erect an altar. _Dr. A._ Very true, but we are told it was an homage like that which the Indians are said to pay to the infernal deity; to avert its wrath, not to conciliate its favour. _Mr. B._ Is the locality of Marseilles less exceptionable? _Dr. A._ By no means. Cold winds are always injurious, but they are rendered destructive, in a tenfold proportion, when alternated with heat. At Marseilles the dreaded _Mistral_ of Provence (a north-west wind), which is often accompanied by a clear atmosphere, and a powerful sun, reigns in all its glory. Toulon has the damning fault of Marseilles. _Mr. B._ Is Hieres exposed to the same evil? _Dr. A._ Not in the same degree. It has generally the credit of being much milder, and I really believe that it is justly preferred to every other place in Provence,--but it is not free from the _Mistral_. Dr. Clark, however, tells us that about the bases of the hills, there are some sheltered spots, where the invalid might enjoy several hours in the open air on almost every dry day, but then there exists a difficulty in reaching them at those times, when they would be most useful. _Mr. B._ I see plainly, that a residence in the south of France would never realize my hopes of recovery; perhaps Nice may be more likely to afford satisfaction?