There is also in this convent, a fine monument, on which stands the effigies of _St. Benezet_, a shepherd of _Avignon_, who built (they say) the bridge from the town over the Rhone, in consequence of a dream, in the year 1127: some of the noble arches are still standing, and part of a very pretty chapel on it, nearly in the middle of the river; but a great part of the bridge has been carried away, many years since, by the violence of the river, which often not only overflows its banks, but the lower part of the town. In 1755, it rose seventeen feet higher than its usual flowing, and I saw marks in many of the streets, high above my head, against the sides of houses, which it had risen to; but with all my industry, I could find no _mark upon the house where Lady Mary Wortley Montagu dwelt_, though she resided some time here, and though I endeavoured to find it. I need not describe the celebrated fountain of _Vaucluse_, near this town, where _Petrarque_ composed his works, and established Mount Parnassus. This is the only part of France in which there is an Inquisition, but the Officers seem content with their profits and honours, without the power. One part of the town is allotted to the Jews, where about six or seven hundred live peaceably and have their synagogue; and it was here the famous rabbin _Joseph Meir_ was born; he died in the year 1554; he was author, you know, of _Annals des Rois de France_, and _de la Maison Ottomane_. Not far from _Avignon_, on the banks of the same rapid river, stands _Beaucaire_, famous for its annual FAIR, where merchandize is brought from all parts of Europe, free of all duties: it begins on the 22d of July; and it is computed that eight million of livres are annually expended there in eight days. _Avignon_ is remarkable for the No. Seven, having seven ports, seven parishes, seven colleges, seven hospitals, and seven monasteries; and I may add, I think, seven hundred bells, which are always making a horrid jingle, for they have no idea of ringing bells harmoniously in any part of France. LETTER XL. LYONS. After a month's residence at _Avignon_, where I waited till the weather and roads amongst the high _Dauphine_ mountains were both improved, I sat out for this city. I had, you know, outward bound, dropt down to _Port St. Esprit_ by water, so it was a new scene to us by land, and I assure you it was a fine one; the vast and extensive rich vales, adorned on all sides with such romantic mountains, could not be otherwise, in such a climate. Our first stage was only four leagues to _Orange_; this is the last town in the Pope's territories; and within a quarter of a mile of it stands, in a corn field, a beautiful Roman triumphal arch, so great in _ruins_, that it would be an ornament even in Rome. The _Palais Royal_ at this town, has nothing to recommend it, but that it affords a prospect of this rich morsel of antiquity.