For many years Monaco was an ally of France; but in 1525 it came under the protection of Spain. Then in 1641 Honoré II threw off the Spanish yoke and made himself an ally of France. The National Convention annexed the principality to France in 1793; but by the Treaty of Paris in 1814 it was restored to the Grimaldis. Finally in 1860 Monaco passed again under French protection. The present ruler of Monaco, Prince Albert, was born in 1848 and succeeded his father, Prince Charles III, in 1889. The prince is absolute ruler, as there is no parliament in the principality. He appoints a small council to advise him on matters of state. He also has power to appoint the mayors and other municipal authorities. COPYRIGHT, 1913, BY THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION, INC. [Illustration: NICE, FRANCE] NICE, FRANCE, a very ancient and charmingly beautiful town, is the subject of one of the intaglio-gravure pictures illustrating “The Mediterranean.” Monograph Number Four in The Mentor Reading Course PREPARED BY THE EDITORIAL STAFF OF THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION NICE, FRANCE The Massilians founded Nice 2,500 years ago. Its situation soon made it one of the busiest trading stations on the Ligurian coast. But in those days the price of prosperity was continual warfare. The Saracens descended on Nice in 729; and though at that time they were repulsed, in the next century they captured the city and burned it. All through the Middle Ages, Nice had its share in the wars and disasters of Italy. It had to fight both Genoa and France, and on the sea its merchantmen were attacked by Barbary pirates. Finally in 1388 it placed itself under the protection of the counts of Savoy. In this way it was protected on land and could devote its strength to taking care of the pirates. But bad fortune seemed to hover over the city. Invading armies devastated the land, and then pestilence and famine raged for several years. In 1543 Nice was attacked by the united forces of Francis I and Barbarossa. After a brave resistance the city was compelled to surrender, and was pillaged by the conquerors. Then followed many years of alternate war and peace; until finally Nice was captured in 1792 by the armies of the French republic. It continued to be a part of France till 1814; but at that time it reverted to Sardinia. Then, in 1860, by a treaty between the Sardinian king and Napoleon III, it was again transferred to France, in whose possession it is today. The city of Nice is a great winter resort for invalids and others from all parts of Europe. It is situated on the Mediterranean 100 miles east of Marseilles. A steep limestone hill, 308 feet in height, running back for some distance from the shore, is the historical nucleus of the town. It used to be crowned by a castle, which, previous to its destruction by the Duke of Berwick in 1706, was one of the strongest fortresses on the coast. Now it is a public pleasure ground.