------------------------------------------------------------------------ Transcriber’s Note: This version of the text cannot represent certain typographical effects. Italics are delimited with the ‘_’ character as _italic_. A single instance of superscripted characters is denoted as ‘2^{me}’. Footnotes have been repositioned to follow the paragraph where they are referenced. The only textual issue of note is the repeated appearance of ‘at any rate’ as ‘at anyrate’. [Illustration] WINTERING AT MENTONE BY WILLIAM CHAMBERS [Illustration: UNDER THE OLIVE TREES] LONDON W. & R. CHAMBERS, 47 PATERNOSTER ROW, AND HIGH STREET, EDINBURGH 1870 PREFACE. ---------- With health impaired by a strain of three laborious years as LORD PROVOST of Edinburgh—and more particularly enfeebled by a malarious fever caught in the course of making explorations with a view to sanitary improvements in the older part of the city—I sought a restorative by a visit to Mentone (or Menton, as the French prefer to call it), in the winter of 1868-69. The object of my visit was gained; but having been so indiscreet as to enter on a new term of office, in the hope of helping to carry forward the city improvements, in which I might be excused for taking some special interest, my health again unfortunately suffered, for which and other reasons I resigned my post, and again proceeded to Mentone; this time making a longer sojourn, with corresponding advantage, in the winter of 1869–70. A result of these efforts to secure the benefits of sunshine along with perfect tranquillity on the shores of the Mediterranean, is the present small work, the preparation of which furnished a degree of amusement when far from home and accustomed pursuits. If it aid in directing attention to a subject of importance to many—the hygienic value of passing the winter in the south of France—I shall be satisfied. The book is of course non-medical, and will not supersede the necessity of consulting professional advisers. W. C. GLENORMISTON, _May 1870_. WINTERING AT MENTONE. CHAPTER I.