I have seen a beautiful drawing of this fine monument, which stood near the high road, a little without the town; the barbarian _Bourgeoises_ threw it down about seventy years ago, to search for treasure. But enough of antiquities; and therefore I will tell you truly my sentiments with respect to the south of France, which is, that _Lyons_ is quite southward enough for an Englishman, who will, if he goes farther, have many wants which cannot be supplied. After quitting _Lyons_, he will find neither good butter, milk, or cream. At _Lyons_, every thing, which man can wish for, is in perfection; it is indeed a rich, noble, and plentiful town, abounding with every thing that is good, and more _finery_ than even in _Paris_ itself. They have a good theatre, and some tolerable actors; among whom is the handsomest Frenchman I ever beheld, and, a little stiffness excepted, a good actor. Any young gentleman traveller, particularly _of the English nation_, who is desirous of _replenishing his purse_, cannot, even in _Paris_, find more convenient occasions to throw himself in _fortune's way_, than at the city of _Lyons_. An English Lady, and two or three gentlemen, have lately been so _fortunate there_, as to find lodgings _at a great Hotel_, gratis; and I desire you will particularly _recommend a long stay at_ Lyons _to my Oxonian friend_; where he may _see the world_ without looking out at a window. LETTER XLIV. I find I omitted to give you before I left _Nismes_, some account of Monsieur _Seguier_'s cabinet, a gentleman whose name I have before mentioned, and whose conversation and company were so very agreeable to me. Among an infinite number of natural and artificial curiosities, are many ancient Roman inscriptions, one of which is that of _T. Julius Festus_, which _Spon_ mentions in his _Melanges D'Antiquite_. There are also a great number of Roman utensils of bronze, glass, and earthen-ware. The Romans were well acquainted with the dangerous consequences of using copper vessels[E] in their kitchens, as may be seen in this collection, where there are a great many for that purpose; but all strongly gilt, not only within, but without, to prevent a possibility of _verdigris_ arising. There is also a bronze head of a Colossal statue, found not many years since near the fountain of _Nismes_, which merits particular attention, as well as a great number of Roman and Greek medals and medallions, well preserved, and some which are very rare. The natural curiosities are chiefly composed of fossils and petrifications; among the latter, are an infinite number of petrified fish _embalmed_ in solid stones; and where one sees the finest membranes of the fins, and every part of the fish, delineated by the pencil of nature, in the most exquisite manner; the greater part of these petrifications were collected by the hands of the possessor, some from _Mount Bola_, others from _Mount Liban_, _Switzerland_, _&c._