_Dr. A._ Nice, as you probably know, was first brought into vogue by our celebrated countryman, Dr. Smollet, who resided there during two winters, and it has been extolled by numerous writers since that period; the northern blasts, which rage with such fury in the south of France, are averted from this favoured valley by the maritime alps. Dr. Smollet, in speaking of its superior mildness, when compared with Provence, says, "the north-west winds blew as cold in Provence as ever I felt them on the mountains of Scotland, whereas Nice is altogether screened from them by mountains." _Mr. B._ If I have been correctly informed, the neighbourhood of Nice is on many accounts preferable to the town itself. _Dr. A._ The suburbs of the '_Croix de Marbre_' have been the favourite residence of the English, and indeed on that account are not unfrequently called the '_Fauxbourg des Anglois_'. This spot is situated immediately beyond the river _Paglion_, which, descending from its Alpine sources, washes the western extremity of the town and falls into the bay of Nice. _Mr. B._ What accommodations are to be met with at Nice? _Dr. A._ I have always understood that provisions are both good and abundant; some of my patients, however, have complained greatly of the bread as being sour and ill tasted from the leaven. As to the other accommodations, Dr. Clark says that they are also good, making allowance always for the inconveniences which, to an English family, are inseparable from foreign houses, such as smoky apartments, ill provided fire places, &c. _Mr. B._ Now state, if you please, the objections that may be urged against Nice. _Dr. A._ In the commencement of the winter, this valley is remarkably infested with mosquitoes, which greatly annoy strangers, especially children. During the months of November, December, and January, the climate would seem to embrace all the qualities so favourable to pectoral complaints, but the three following months are by no means unexceptionable. Although Nice be protected from the _Mistral_, yet in the spring of the year it is infested with cold sharp winds from the east, and north and south-east, which are highly mischievous to the valetudinarian. _Mr. B._ It is clear then that he should quit Nice at this season. _Dr. A._ That is not so easy as you may suppose, for unless he leaves it by sea, he must not venture to depart by any of the usual roads before the month of May; for should he direct his route to Turin, he will have a very rough and hazardous journey over the "_Col de Tende_," and may perchance be caught in a snow storm; if on the other hand, he returns by France, he must cross the "_Estrelles_," and expose himself to the cold winds of Provence.