Namur 120 from Paris Lon. 23.12 Lat. 50.28 2. Of the Government of NORMANDY THis Province has lost much of its antient Lustre Advantages and the Authority which it had in the time of its antient Dukes who were Sovereign Princes so Powerful that they have often sustained long and impetuous Wars against the Kings of France England and other Princes with whom they have many times contracted Alliances It was formerly called the Western Neustrie Name and the name of Normandy was given to it upon the account of the Northern People who came to inhabit there for Nord-man in High-Dutch signifies Man of the North. It is Situated upon the Channel Extent and may extend about 186 Miles from East to West from Aumale to the Western side of Coutantin and 129 from South to North-east viz. from Alenson to the City of Eu. The British Sea or the Channel Bounds bounds it in the North and West towards the East it has the Isle of France and the Country of Perche with that of Maine towards the South The Soil is Fertile enough in Corn Quality Pasturage and Hemp and abounds in Wood and Fruits it produces but little or no Wine Cyder and Beer being the most usual Liquors There is to be found also several Mines of Iron Fish is so common there that it is as it were given away There are very good Quarries for Structure and also your Marble Slat c. not slightly to be esteemed of As for Mineral Waters they are to be met with in divers Places those of Forges are of the greatest Repute and most frequented The Country excels in many agreeable Forests in number of Fir-Trees and a great quantity of White Salt which is conveyed to Paris The Inhabitants 't is said are so disposed to plead one against another and so well versed in all the Tricks of the Court that they esteem much rather to go to the extremity of Justice than to reconcile matters by Civility and Sweetness and without having recourse to Process which is the reason that the very Rusticks are almost all Lawyers I have read a Story of Two Neighbours thaâ— quarrell'd to that Extremity about a Mag-Py's Nest which was built upon one Man's Tree and inclined over thâ— Land of the other that they reduced themselves to the very brink oâ— Ruin It s chief Rivers are the Seine Rivers iâ— which the Eure discharges it self and the Rille which hides it self under ground for the space of a League neaâ— Bâ—aumont le Roger the Orne which goes up to Caen and the Vere which passeâ— by St. Lo and separates the Bishoprich of Coutance from that of Bayeux The Government extends it self no further than this Province Extent which is divided into Upper and Lower The Upper comprehends the Bayliwicks of Roüen Evreux Caux and Gisors The Lower those of Caën Alenson and Coutance It is again divided into Seven Diocesses whose Episcopal Cities are Roüen Lisieux Bayeux Coutance Auranche Seez and Evreux The Four First are to be found in order upon the Channel of England going from East to West the Three others are to the South of them and meet in their turn from West to East The Diocess of Roüen comprehends Four little Countries which are called Caux Bray Vexin Normand and Roumais In that of Caux there is the Land of Yvelot which certain Authors Mis-informed have pretended to have been raised to a Kingdom by King Clotaire But this Opinion is of no credit and it only bears the Title of a Principality To the West of the Bishoprick of Coutance one finds the Isle of Jersey under the 18 Deg. 10 Min. of Longitude and the 49.30 Min. of Latitude and the Isle of Garnsey under the 17.40 Min. of Longitude and the 49.30 Min. of Latitude and several other little Adjacent Isles These Islands are in the Authority of the King of England and these Two may have each about 24 or 30 Miles of Circuit and were heretofore a part of Normandy The most considerable Cities take as follows Rouen ROüen or Roan upon the River Seine is the Capital of Normandy a very large and stately City one of the best of France and most advantagiously Seated for Trade by reason of the Flux and Reflux of the Sea it has an Archbishop a Parliament and a Sea-Port which are Three things that will at any time make a City recommendable and also a Mint and a Generality It s Situation is in a delightful Plain bordered on one side with several agreeable Mountains covered with Trees and on the other side wash'd with the River Seine to which are adjoyning many pleasant Meadows The Cathedral Church is a very stately Building in which there are Three Towers whereof one is covered with Lead which Time seems to have changed almost into the colour of Copper and whose Height is above 550 Steps The Tombs of the Dukes of Normandy and the Arch-bishops of the Place the Statue of Charles the Fifth in White Marble its Organs of an extraordinary bigness the Body of it supported by Twenty One Pillars but more particularly the Choir and Sacerdotal Ornaments presented by William King of England and the Cardinal Amboise as also its Treasure which â—s very curious to see upon the account of the Splendour and Riches of the Vessels Mitres c. all emboss'd with Gold and Stones of Value but principally a Sacred Mantle of Needle-Work representing Jesus Christ amongst the Doctors in the middle receiving Baptism by St. John all which is very glorious and remarkable besides many other Curiosities which it would be too tedious to insert There is one thing very observable upon the portal of this Church which is a Triumphant Arch representing Henry the Fourth who chases the Lions and the Wolves from his Flock and encourageth his Sheep whilst on the other side he sees the Ligue bound in chains and King of Spain who is near a Clock pensive and Melancholy at the sight of so many illustrious Actions The Government of the Province makes his usual residence at Roüen which is within 60 Miles of Amiens 69 of Paris and 145 of London Lon. 20.2 Lat. 49.26 Caen. CAën upon the River Orne passes foâ— the Second City of Normandy both as to its Extent Antiquity and Situation 'T is said that this City became sâ— Rich and Powerful by the residence oâ— the English during their Wars with France and also by reason of the greaâ— Privileges it is invested with For besides the University founded by Charleâ— the Seventh it is honoured with a Generality a Presidial and a Bayliwick Moreover it is enriched with Nineteen or Twenty Churches besides a great number of Religious Houses about 70 Miles from Roüen Lon. 18.12 Lat. 49.19 Diepe DIepe is a Town of Reputation by reason of its noble Haven and the great quantity of good Merchandise and the vast Traffick it makes in all Places of Europe The River Argueâ— on which it stands renders
Country and remarkable for the notable Resistance it made against the whole Forces of Lewis the Thirteenth in the last Civil Wars concerning Religion It is about 37 Miles from Arles 5â— from Orange and 60 from Narbon Lon. 22.52 Lat. 43.8 Le Puy IS accounted the greatest City of Languedoc after Toulouse The Bishop who stiles himself Earl of Vellay where of it is Capital depends immediately oâ— the Pope and is subordinate to 〈◊〉 Archbishop It stands on the River Loyre about 30 Miles from Mende 56 from Viviers and 68 from Lyons Lon. 22.58 Lat. 44.33 Mende and Viviers in the Province of les Cevennes are remarkable for nothing but their Episcopal Sees the Bishops whereof are stiled Earls 11. Of the Government of DAUPHINE THis Province which made part of the ancient Allobroges was afterwards comprised in the Kingdom of Burgundy which Charlemagne joyned to the other Members of France The Emperor Henry the Fourth being at Variance with Pope Gregory the Seventh was so persecuted by his own Children that divers Lords taking the Advantage of their Divorce and deriding him as a deprived King carried away each a Piece of this Kingdom Oâ—â—o Earl of Flanders had Franche-County Berald of Saxoâ—y possessed himself of Savoy Provence fell to Bâ—enger and Dauphiné to the Occupation of Guigue le Gras who gave to it this Name Name upon the account of Dauphin Earl of Viennois whose Daughter had espoused his Son It should be incongruous methinks Original of the Name of Dauphin to intimate here the original of the Name of Dauphin which has been the Title of the Eldest Son of France for above 300 Years Imbert or Humbert Earl Dauphin of Viennois having lost his Son in the faral Battel of Crecy and unhappily let his last Child fall out of a Window of which he dyed seeing himself insulted by Amedée Earl of Savoy his irreconcilable Foe and finding himself unable to resist him resolved to procure him a more powerful Neighbour For this effect he offered his Country to Philip of Valois King of France for him and his Successors upon condition that the Eldest Son of France should bear the Title of Dauphin and that his Armâ— should be quartered with those oâ— France Which Proposal was accepted of by the King to the great Displeasure of the Savoyard So Charles the Fifth the Grand-Son of Philip was the first that bore the Name of Dauphin in the Year 1350. Dauphiné extends it self from East to West Extent about 129 English Miles from Pignerol to Valence And 111 from North to South from Lanieu upon the Rhône in Bresse to le Buis in las-Baronnies It is bounded in the North by Bresse and Savoy Bounds In the East by Piémont In the South by Provence And in the West 't is separated by the Rhône from Languedoc and Lyonnois The Soil Quality although very Mountainous produces excellent Wine and very good Corn in some Places as in those Parts about Greenoble and Die and along the Rhône but in general it brings forth Rye Oats Barley and a little Wine There is one thing here particular enough in respect of a certain Holâ— which is in a great Rock near Nions There goes out a Wind which one is scarce sensible of when near it and even boisterous at 20 or 30 Paces distance It s greatest Rivers are the Isere Rivers which receives the Drac below Grenoble and the Durance which takes its Rise from hence and runs toward Provence Dauphine is divided into Upper and Lower The First Division which is towards the East comprehends Gresivaudan Diois lés-Baronies Gapensois Ambrunois and Briansonois The other which extends it self towards the West along the Rhône comprises Viennois Valentinois and Tricastin Grenoble UPon the River Isere in Gresivandan is the Capital City of the whole Country in Latin Gratianopolis the chief Seat heretofore of the Accusiani 'T is a very ancient populous and well-built City embellished by the Emperour Gratian who gave it its Name It is much resorted to by the Noblity upon the account of the Court of parliament erected here in the Year 1453. It has been an Episcopal See for above 1200 Years and has besides a Generality and a Mint Equally distant viz. abou 30 Miles from Vienné Die and Valence Lon. 25.4 Lat. 44.54 Ambrun THE Capital of Ambruncis an Arch-Bishops See seated upon a very high Rock in the midst of a pleasant Valley surrounded with Mountains under which runs the River Durance The Arch-Aishop here shares the Jurisdicton with the King insomuch that their Judges in the Bayliwick are alternative The hilly Country hereabouts is the highest of France About 48 Miles from Pignerol 46 from Susa c. Lon. 26.5 Lat. 44.10 Vienne SEated upon the Rhône is a famous and very ancient City as one may see by divers Monuments of Antiquity whose Vestigia are still in being It is honoured with an Archiepiscopal See and a Bayliwick It had a Bridge over the Rhône which is broken and whose Passage is very dangrrous for Boats It is situated in the lower Dauphiné and stands about 17 M. from Lyons 43 from Grenoble and 68 from Geneva Lon. 14.8 Lat. 45.7 Valence UPon the River Rhône is a handsome and populous City the Capital of Valentinois Its Bishoprick is united to that of Die The Bishop qualifies himself Bishop and Earl of Valence and Die and the Bayliwick is depending upon this Prelate It has given honorary Title to two Persons of more Fame than Honour The first of which was Caesar Borgia the Son of Pope Alexander the Sixth who was made Duke of Valentinois by Charles the Eighht The other Madam Diana the Mistress of Henry the Second who governed the Affairs of France under him and honoured with the Title of Dutchess hereof About 38 Miles from Vienne and 43 from Grenoble Lon. 27.12 Lat. 44.32 Brianson THE Capital of Briansonpis is seated upon a very high Mountain It is a Bishops See and a Bayliwick It stands about 22 Miles from Ambrun and 36 from Pignerol Lon. 26.22 Lat. 44.30 Saint-Pol-Trois-Châteaux is the Capital of Tricastin It is a flourishing City seated in the lower Dauphiné upon an advanced Cliff near the Rhône It is a Bishops See who stiles himself Earl under the Arch-Bishop of Arles It stands about 16 Miles from Orange and 72 from Grenoble Lon. 24.2 Lat. 43.53 Gap THe Capital of Gapensois is adorned with an Episcopal See and a Bayliwick It s Bishop is qualified Earl It has a very strong and noble Cittadel It stands about 18 Miles from Ambrun and 23 from Sisteron Lon. 25.40 Lat. 44.6 Die upon the Drome was an ancient Colony of the Romans heretofore the See of a particular Bishop but at present joyned to that of Valence It is seated in the lower Dauphiné and stands about 36 Miles from Grenoble Le Buis upon the Aurese is the Principal City of les Barronies and a Bayliwick 12. Of the Government of PROVENCE THis
Government of CHAMPAGNE THis Country was heretofore famous through the Grandeure of its ancient Earls who were Sovereign Princes and withal so powerful that they have sustained long and vigorous Wars against the Kings of France and Burgundy and so nobly esteemed of that those Kings have not disdained to seek their Alliance They bear the Title of Earl and Pear of France It s Name undoubtedly proceeds from the delightful and spacious Plains that are therein particularly about Rheims and Chaalons It extends it self above 138 Miles from West to South-East from Lagny in Brie to Bourbonnecls-Bains in Bassigny and 162 from South to North from Ravieres in Senonois to Rocroy in Rhetelo It is bounded on the North by the Duchy of Luxemburg and Haynault on the East by Lorrain on the South by Burgundy and on the West by the Isle of France The Soil is for the most part white and chalky bearing no other Corn but Rye yet it produces most excellent Wine There are but few Forests towards the South but in the Nothern part they are more frequent where also is to be found several Mines of Iron It s principal Rivers are the Seine which receives the Ionne and the Aube the Marne the Aisne and the Vesle This Government comprehends Champagne and Brie Champagne is divided into Upper and Lower The first comprises the Territories of Chaalons and Rheims Pershois Rethelois and the Principality of Sedan and Raucort with the Provostship of Donchery The other comprehends the Territory of Troyes Vallage and Bassigny together with Senonois The chief Cities are Troyes TRoyes upon the Seine is the Capital City of the whole Province It was the Habitation of the ancient Earls of Champagne whose Tombs it still preserves it doth now enclose many Jurisdictions being one of the best of the Kingdom very populous and rich upon the account of its Fairs inhabited by a great number of substantial Merchants Among other things they make here a vast Quantity of Paper It is adorned with an Episcopal See a Mint and a Presidial About 32 Miles from Sens 68 from Rheims and 80 from Paris Longitude 23.17 Latitude 48.7 Rheims AN Archbishops See who is the first Duke and Peer of France seated upon the River Vasle At this City the Kings of France are usually crowned that so they may enjoy the Unction of a sacred Oil preserved in the Cathedral Church here which they say came down from Heaven and never decreaseth the Truth of which I leave to the Reader 's Judgment to determine especially if he has read Gregory d' Tours who is so prodigal of his Miracles and yet doth not mention this The Arch-Bishop hereof has the Glory and Privilege of anointing the French Kings It is a Presidial See and an University of no small esteem wherein there is a College appointed for the Education of young English Fugitives The first Seminary for this purpose was erected at Doway in the year 1568. A second at Rome by Pope Gregory the Thirteenth a 3d. at Valladolid in Spain by King Philip II. a fourth in Lovain a Town of Brabant and a fifth here by the Dukes of Guise about 72 miles from Paris Longitude 23.18 Latitude 49.13 Sens. BEtween the Rivers Yonne and Seine stands the City of Sens Civitaâ— Senonum in Antoninus renowned for the ancient Senonois who made great Conquests in Italy and Greece The Cathedral Church has Ornaments of an immense value the Appurtenances of the Altar being of Massy Gold garnished with Pearls It has an Archbishop who styles himself Primate of the Gauls also a Bayliwick and a Presidial About 30 Miles from Troyes 28 from Auxerre 60 from Paris Long. 22.29 Lat. 48.2 Langres THe Capital of Bassigny seated very advantagiously near the River Marne and not far from the Head-Spring or Fountain of the River Seine One may see here Marks of a great Antiquity 't is very strong and has the Reputation of being never taken It s Bishop is a Duke and one of the twelve ancient Peers of France He is also a Marquis Earl and Baron It has also a Presidial See About 40 Miles from Dijon 56 from Troyes Long. 24.32 Lat. 47.44 Chaalons UPon the River Marne is famous for the great quantity of Woollen-Cloth it conveys to Paris by way of the Marne In the year 453. there was a memorable Battel fought in the Neighbouring Plains where Attila King of the Huns who qualified himself the Scourge of God was defeated by Merouee assisted by Theodoric King of the Visigoths who was slain and Aetius Lieutenant to the Emperor Valentinian the Third 180000 Men were left upon the place It is a Bishops See who is an Earl and Peer and has a Generality and Presidial About 24 Miles from Rheims 50 from Troyes Long. 23.38 Lat. 48.54 Rethel BEtween the Aisne and the Meuse lies Rethel which communicates its Name to the Dutchy of Rethelois and which is at present called Mazarin Few Cities have been so often taken as this has been in the last Wars There was an expectation in these Quarters of Seeing the Conjunction of the River Aisne with the Meuse by the means of the little River Barre and so to have the conveniences of Navigation by Rivers from Paris to Holland about 22 Miles from Rheims and 24 from Chaalons Long. 23.42 Lat. 49.29 Brie THis Province is situated between the Seine and the Marne and its Extent from East to West is about 30 or 36 Miles from North to South much the same distance It s Soil is not every where alike for near Champagne and towards Chateau-Thierry it produces tolerable Wine and towards the Isle of France as also about Meaux the Wine is much grosser There is every where good store of Corn delicious Fruits and good Pasturage The Country is very fine and very agreeable for the diversion of Hunting Meaux UPon the River Marne is the most considerable of the Cities of the Upper Brie It is very ancient honoured with a Bishoprick and a Bayliwick about 24 Miles from Paris Chateau-Thierry upon the same River bears the Title of Dutchy and passes for the Capital of the Upper Brie It is adorned with a Bayliwick and a Presidial See Provins upon the little River of Vouzie is received by some for the Metropolis of all Brie seated in the Lower and is sufficiently known for the excellent Conserve of Roses which is made there 5. Of the Government of BRETAGNE AFter that Maximus had usurped the Empire and that the Army which he commanded in England had proclaimed him Emperour Conan one of his most famous Captains who had been very assistant to him in that great undertaking soon obtained a Recompence for his Services The Emperor gave him the possession of Bretagne whereof Conan took the Quality of King in the year 300. His Successors quitted this noble Title in 878. under the Reign of Lewis le Begue King of France to take the Quality of Earls At length they were made Dukes and Peers in 1520.
the Loire is the chief The Indre the Cher and Vienne swell'd with the Waters of the Creuse come to discharge themselves here between Monsoreau and Langest iâ— Touraine The Mayne after having receiv'd the Loire joyned to the Sarte beâ—low Anger 's discharges it self also above this City The Charante takes its Rise in Angoumoy which it waters with a part of its Course after having passed in a corner of Poitou Here is observed 13 or 14 Countries or principal Provinces Division whereof Four one finds on this side the Loire seated in the following order going from West to East le Maine le Perch the upper Beausse or Country of Chartres and part of Gastinois Five upon the Loire in following its Course Nivernois Orleanois or Lower Beausse Blaisois Touraine and Anjou Fore beyond the same River viz. Berry Poitou with the Country of Aunis and Angoumois which is yet more advanced towards the South Orleans SItuated upon the River Loire is the chief City of this Government It is very Beautiful of great Trade and was heretofore the Metropolis of a Kingdom that bore its Name It used to be the Residence of Strangers who were drawn hither by the Magnetick Courtesie of the Inhabitants and the Politeness of the Language they speak here which is as highly esteemed as the Castilian is in Spain the Tuscan in Italy And as the Attick Tongue was formerly in Grecce It is a Bishops See who at his first Entrance has a Priviledge to examine and pardon Offenders Five National Councils have been held here It has a Bayliwick and a very ancient presidial See but its Generality is Modern It likewise has a famous University Three memorable Sieges which it happily sustained has made it renowned in History Under the Title of a Dutchy it is the Appennage of the Second Son of France About 68 Miles from Paris Lon. 20.42 Lat. 47.44 Nevers FOrmerly called Noviodunum Aduâ—rum the Capital of Nivernois is so commodiously Situated that Julius Caesar chose it to make a Garrison of and a Magazine It shews no less Antiquity in its Churches than in its Walls and although it has no Suburbs it contains notwithstanding Eleven Parishes It has a Noble Castle Ditches full of Water and a Stone Bridge composed of 20 Arches over the River Loire which receives the Nievre in this place They have in their Neighbourhood the conveniency of the Medicinal Waters of Pougues which is a Town where several Parsons go for the Advantage of their Healths and where the most substantial Men of the Province have built stately Houses for that purpose It has a Bishop and was erected into a Duchy by Francis the First About 30 Miles from Moulins 80 form Orleans and 125 from Paris Lon. 22.2 Lat. 40.44 Tours THe City of Tours heretofore Caesarodunum pleasantly seated upon the Loire the Capital of Tourane is without contradiction one of the first of France if one considers its Situation and its Prerogatives Under the Roman Emperors it was the Metropolitan of the third Lyonoise in Celtick Gaul Its Archbishop has for Suffragans the Bishop of Anger 's that of Mans and all those of Bresagne It has a Generality a Presidial and a Mint The Silk-Trade which they drive here is very advantagious to them About 48 Miles from Poitiers 60 from Orleans and 115 from Rennes and Paris Lon. 19.18 Lat. 47.23 Anger 's THe Capital City of Anjou seated upon the Mayenne between its Mouth in the Loire and its Confluence with the Sarte joyned to the Loire It has a considerable Castle and the Houses covered with which makes it be called the Black Ciâ— It is renowned for its University aâ— the fine Procession upon Christmas-day which every Year draws many Stranâ—ers to this City It has a Bishop undâ—â— the A. of Tours a Bayliwick a Presidial and a Mint About 60 Miles frâ—â— Tours and nigh 160 from Paris Lon. 17.48 Lat. 47.27 Poitiers THe Capital of Poitou upon the River Claiâ— is one of the largest 〈◊〉 the Kingdom for it yields to none bâ— Paris in bigness It contains a great many of the Roman Antiquities 25 Parishes and is adorned with an Episcopaâ— See under the A. of Bourdeax a Generality Mint and an University famous for the Civil Law The Batteâ— of Poitiers was very unlucky to thâ— French and the English were doublâ— Victorious by the taking of King John Charles the Seventh King of France transferr'd hither the Parliament of Paris which made its Residence here for the space of 18 Years during the English Wars About 48 Miles from Tours â—5 from Rochelle 94 from Orleans Lon. â—9 00 Lat. 46.34 Man 's THe Capital City of Maine is most agreeably seated upon the Sarte â—arge ancient and very populous with the Title of a Bishoprick under the A. of Tours It is observed from this City that the English laying Siege to it in the Year 1425. first put in use the great Artillery which had not as yet been seen in France About 48 Miles from Tours 52 from Anger 's and 78 from Orleans Lon. 18.42 Lat. 48.5 Nogent-le-Rotrou passes for the Capital of Perch and yet is but a Burrough-Town but one of the finest Burroughs of all France and very rich upon the account of its Manufacture of Serge Linnen c. About 37 Miles from Mans as many from Alenson and 30 from Vendôme Chartres UPon the Eure is the Capital of â—ausse and the Country of Chartrâ— It once had its particular Kings aâ— has now the Title of a Dutchy aâ— preserves the Ruins of a Temple buâ— before the Nativity of Jesus Chriâ— 'T is said the City was built before 〈◊〉 Deluge and 't was there the Druids 〈◊〉 ciently Assembled It s Cathedral Churcâ— which is a Bishops See passes for oâ— of the Ancientests of Christendom thâ— two Bells whereof are the finest and thâ— largest in France The Bishop has moâ— Parishes in his Jurisdiction than any 〈◊〉 ther of the Kingdom About 42 Milâ— from Paris and 43 from Orleans Lon. 20.23 Lat. 46.26 Bourges THis City is the Capital of Berry Caesar speaks of it as a very ancienâ— and powerful City under the Name oâ— Avaricum Biturigum seated upon thâ— River Eure. It has seven great Gateâ— as many Suburbs 17 Parishes and a â—reat number of other Churches It is â—onoured with an Archbishoprick an University a Generality a Bayliwick â— Presidial See and a Mint It s Archâ—ishop qualifies himself Patriach and â—rimat of Aquitain but that of Bourâ—eaux disputes this Title with him It 〈◊〉 about 35 Miles from Nevers 55 from â—rleans and 80 from Tours Lon. 21.14 Lat. 40.55 Rochelle THe Country of Aunis has nothing recommendable but Rochelle which is the Capital thereof It has an Episcopal See a Presidial and a Mint A City naturally strong by reason of the Marshes But it s noble Fortifications are absolutely resed It was often besieged taken and retaken by the English and French But the most memorable Siege that ever was laid
the East one â—â—nds le Cominge to which may be joyned le Conserans Bourdeaux UPon the Garomne is the Capital of the Government of Guyenne a very ancient large and beautiful City wherein is made a very considerable Commerce by reason of the conveniences of its noble Port. It has all the Qualities and all the Prerogatives that may render a City remarkable It is the See of an Archbishop who qualifies himself Primate of Aquitaine it has a Parliament a Gonerality a Mint an University and Admiralty It is one of the most noted Empories of all the Kingdom and used to be very much frequented by the Dutch and English for Gascoign Wines About 84 Miles from Rochelle and 120 from Toulouse Lon. 17.50 Lat. 44.50 Agen UPon the River Garomne the Capital of Agenois holds the first Rank after Bourdeaux and is situated in a Soil whose Fertility makes the Inhabitants idle It is a Bishops See 〈◊〉 bears the Title of Earl but he has 〈◊〉 other Lordly Right in the City 〈◊〉 Lords of Exale descended from 〈◊〉 Princes of Verone have had their Râ—dence in Agen. About 20 Miles 〈◊〉 Condom and 35 from Aux Long. 〈◊〉 12. Lat. 44.13 Bazas upon the Vâ—sane is the Capital of Bazadois a haâ—som City and stands about 25 Mâ—â— from Bourdeaux Cahors THE River Lot during its course 〈◊〉 this Province forms Six or Seâ— indifferent large Peninsula's in one 〈◊〉 which stands Cahors the Capital 〈◊〉 of all Quercy Henry the Great gaâ— here some Testimonies of his Condoâ— and Valour by a Battle which he oâ— stinately fought during three days 〈◊〉 cessively to render himself Master 〈◊〉 the City Some look upon it as 〈◊〉 ancient Vxelodunum which defended â— self a long time against Julius Caesaâ— Pope John the 22d was born heâ— who was called before James of Câ—hors 'T is a very ancient City honou◠〈◊〉 with an Episcopal See a Presidial 〈◊〉 a famous University It has also 〈◊〉 Remainders of an Amphitheatre 〈◊〉 Bishop takes upon him the Title of â—arl Near to Cahors is to be seen the â—sidue of an Aquaeduct which was â—eretofore above Nine Miles in Length About 38 Miles from Alby and 55 from Toulouse Lon. 20.6 Lat. 44.23 Rhodez UPon the River Aveyron is received for the Capital of all Roüergue It is a very ancient City but has lost much of its Grandeur and Beauty by the Prisals and Reprisals which the Goths Sarrazens and French have made in different times It has a Bishop and a Presidial and stands about 48 Miles from Mende 74 from Toulouse and 80 from Narbone Long. 21.20 Lat. 44.7 Perigueux UPon the River Lille the Capital of Perigort is more ancient than it is fine as one may judge by the Remainders of an Amphitheatre which is 〈◊〉 be seen there with many other Monâ—ments of Antiquity In its Neighbouâ— hood Pepin the Short obtained a signâ— Victory over Gayfer Duke of Aquitaiâ— Anno 768. It is honoured with an â— piscopal See and a Presidial It is moâ— sweetly situated in a pleasant Valleâ— about 42 Miles from Limoges and 6â— from Bourdeaux Longitude 19.18 Latitude 45.12 Limoges UPon the River Vienne is the Capitaâ— of all Limosin with a Bishoprick and a Generality The City is very populous and rich by reason of it Trade Its Artisans are particularly famous for curious Enamel-Work ' Tiâ— a neat but no large City inhabited by a People of so great Industry that they compel every one to work and is there fore termed by the French the Prison of Beggars At the taking of it wheâ— revolted Edward the Black Prince could by no means be allured to pity the unfortunate Citizens till pursuing his Enemies he saw Three French Gentlemen oppose his whole Army the consideration of whose Courage and Bravery induced him to Compassion whereas before he had vowed Revenge About 68 Miles from Poitiers and 100 from Bourdeaux Lon. 20.00 Lat. 45.40 Tulles seated in a rough and hilly Country is a Bishop's See it stands about 33 Miles from Limoges Saintes BY Ptolemy called Mediolanium seated upon the Charente isâ— the Capital of Saintonne 't is a very ancient City and is honoured with an Episcopal See and a Presidial It is about 32 Miles from Rochelle and 40 from Angoulesme Lon. 17.44 Lat. 45.42 Aux UPon the River Gez anciently called Augusta Ausciorum an Archbishops See The Income whereof is said to be greater than any Prelates of France reckoned at no less than an Hundred Thousand Livres per annum It stands about 38 Miles from Toulouse 80 froâ— Bourdeaux and 320 from Paris Lon. 18.50 Lat. 43.40 Lectoure A Bishops See called in our Modeâ— Lectodurum of old Lestoracium â— Town so well fortified when in thâ— possession of the Earls of Armagnac thaâ— it maintained it self three Months against the Strength of France But since iâ— came into the Power of the French Kings so strengthened according to the Modern Art of Fortifications that it 〈◊〉 esteemed the strongest Bulwork of the Kingdom on this side and securest Fortress against Spain It stands upon aâ— Hill about 14 Miles from Condon 〈◊〉 from Agen and 20 from Aux Longitude 19.4 Latitude 43.58 Aire upon the River Adour is an Episcopal City and stands about 38 Miles from Dax and 44 from Condom Condom SItuated on the Confluence of the Rivers Baise and Gele is the Capiâ—â—l of Condomois It is an Episcopal City whose last Bishop has been acnowledged as a Person of an extraorâ—inary Merit insomuch that he was â—hosen for the Dauphin's Tutor by the King It has also a Senechalsy and a Presidial About 20 Miles from Agen and 22 from Aux Long. 18.48 Lat. 44.00 Dax and Bayonne are also Biâ—â—op's Sees seated upon the River Aâ—dour within 32 Miles of each other the former being the Capital of Les-Landes the latter of the Country of Labourd There is a Mountain near Bayonne from whose top 't is said one may discern three Kingdoms to wit France Spain and Navarre Pau THE Principality of Bearn is situated at the Foot of the Pyrenees where they joyn to Languedoc and has the Glory of giving Life to King Henry 〈◊〉 Great Pau upon the River Gave is 〈◊〉 Principal of all the Province honouâ—â— with a Parliament or Court of Judicâ— ture for all the Country and a fair Pâ—lace built by Henry of Albret King 〈◊〉 Navarre and Lord of Bearn It stanâ— 26 Miles from Aire and 86 from Boâ—deaux Lon. 17.40 Lat. 43.23 Olerâ—â— mounted upon an high Hill and Laseâ—â— upon the Gave are also Bishops Sees Gathe UPon the River Ardour is the Capital of the Earldom of Begorre It is honoured with a strong Castle and Episcopal See and the Senechalsy for aâ— the Country of Begorre It is abouâ— 24. Miles from Pau and 26 from Auâ— Lon. 18.14 Lat. 43.18 Saint Beâ—trand upon Garomne Capital of Comingeâ— is also a Bishops See as is likewise Sainâ— Lizer upon the River Salat and Lombez upon the Save this last but of late erection 10.
order and besides there was hardly any but in the Adjacent Provinces Yet as the Country was agreeable and fertile and the People extreamly subject they were imposed upon by all manner of Exactions insomuch that their Abundanceâ— encreased their Misery and their Obedience heigthned their Oppression In the Year 330 when Constantine the Great divided the Charge of Prefeâ—du Pretoire into Four Gaul enjoyed one who had under him Three Vicars one in Gaul it self one in Spain and one in Great Britain The First who had this Charge was the Father of St. Ambrose bearing the same Name as his Son This Praefect usually resided in the City of Triers which for this reason was the Capital of the Gauls till having been Four times sack'd by the Barbarians the Emperor Honorius would transfer this Prerogative to the City of Arles which was at length taken off from Vienna and made up the Eighteenth Metropolis From Augustus to Galien the Peace of these Provinces was disturbed by Two Revolts that of Sacrovir and Florus in the Twenty Third Year of Jesus Christ and that of Civilis Tutor Classicus which was much more dangerous in the Year 70. After the Death of the Emperor Decius the Barbarians began to torment them by frequent Incursions For the First Hundred Years there were none but French and Germans that were concerned in them on this side the Rhine but afterwards the Misfortune was redoubled by the horrible Devastations of Vandals Bourguignons Sueves Visigoths and Huns which did not end but with the ruin of the Empire in the West As to the Original of the French the common opinion is that they are natural Germans and that France is the name of a League which in their Language signified Free or as others say Fierce Insuperable 'T is certain that the Authors of the Third and Fourth Ages by the name of German almost always mean the French As for the time in which they began to appear it was exactly Two Years after the great Defeat of the Emperor Decius in Mesia which happened in the Year 254 by the Goths and other People of Seythia The Goths had begun to make themselves known but Twelve Years before they went out of their own Country which was European Scythia between the Euxin Sea and the River Tanais to ransack the Provinces of the Empire They were divided into Ostrogoths and Visigoths that is to say according to some Eastern Goths and Western Goths After this Defeat all the Fences of the Roman Empire being ruinated on that side there broke out Torrents of all sorts of Barbarians who had not been so much as heard of till then 'T is for this reason amongst others and because the French had also much of the Behaviors and Customs of the Scythians as to use Darts to exercise Hawking c. that one is apt to conjecture that they are originally Scythians But it is not poâ—ible and it would be super uous to say of what Place because all the Scythians were Vagabonds and that in a little time they were found Two and Three Hundred Leagues distance from the Country which they inhabited a little before The First time then that there is mention made of them is in the Year 256 under the Empire of Gallus and Volusian when they passed the Râ—ine near Mentz and when Aurelian who was yet but Tribune of a Legion killed Seven Hundred of them in an Encounter and made Three Hundred Prisoners who were sold at the publick Sale From this first Irruption to the time when they conquered or besought of the Romans the Possession of some Lands in Gaul to wit in the Countries of Cologne Leige and the Neighbouring parts there passed near 180 Years which was in the Year 416. There was lodged a Party in Brabant in the time of Julian the Apostate towards the Year 358 but it is not known whether they were permitted to establish themselves there During these Two Ages they continued their Incursions with divers Successes always retiring with their Booty into Germany They possessed there the most part of those Lands which are between the Mein and the Rhine the Weser and the Ocean sometimes more sometimes less extended according as they were weak or powerful and as theâ— were pressed by other Nations particularly by the Germans towards thâ— Mein and the Saxons towards thâ— Sea These last proceeding from a Counâ—try which we now call Holstein seiseâ— upon Friesland and the Marine partâ— on this side the River Elbe then aâ— the French established themselves iâ— Gaul they succeeded in the possession of the greatest part of those which they had enjoyed beyond the Rhine The French Nation was divided into several People (a) West-Friesland Great and (b) North-Holland Little Frisons (c) Zeland Salians (d) Bishoprick of Munster Brucheri (e) Bishoprick of Osnaburg Angrivarians (f) Bishoprick of Minden Chamaves (g) Dutchy of Westphaly Sicambres and (h) Hesse Catti And it had as I suppose divers others in its Alliance and others also under its Dominion Oftentimes the Romans went to assault them in their Woods and Marshes and thought to extirpate them Two or Three times particularly Constantine the Great but they repulsed them always They had several Captains or Commanders Kings Princes Dukes or Generals who had no absolute Authority but in War Sometimes they served as Stipendaries to the Romans sometimes became their Subjects but as soon as the time was changed and that they found an occasion to pillage they supposed themselves no longer obliged to entertainâ— Treaties for which Reason the Authors of those times accuse them of Inconstancy Lying and Perfidiousness So that we at this time need not give our selves the trouble of admiring at their Treacherous Practices and unmanly Attempts since they have them from their first Original and since they seem to be carried on thereto as it were by Natural Instinct deriving their Unworthy Qualities from their Predecessors The last Day of the Year 406 the Alains and Vandals seducing along with them the Bourguignons the Sueves and several other Barbarous People passed the Rhine and made an irruption into Gaul which was the most furious and severe that had been yet seen These Barbarians having ransacked all the First Germany and the Second Belgick transferr'd themselves into Aquitain In the Year 409 some Bands of Vandals and Sueves passed from thence into Spain Two Years after the others being consternated at the March of Ataulfe King of the Visigoths who came from Haly took the same Road and followed them There remained notwithstanding some of the Alains in Dauphine and upon the Banks of the Loire who enjoyed a Succession of Kings for above Sixty Years together but in the end they underwent the Dominion of the Visigoths and Bourguignons The Vandals and Sueves seized upon la Galice the Silinges la Betique and the Alains part of Lusit ania and the Province of Carthagene Sixteen Years after the
Vandals passed into Africk but in the mean time Vallia King of the Visigoths who fought for the Romans utterly extirpated the Silinges and reduced the Alains to that extremity that being unable to subsist any longer by themselves they went and submitted to Gunderic King of the Vandals The Sueves maintained themselves near Two Ages in Spain and at length their Kingdom was also extinguished by Leuvilgild King of the Visigoths in the Year 588. All these Barbarians were divided into several Bands or Parties who had each their Captain and made Incursions and Ravages without intermission So far they proceeded that there was seen at the same time People of the same Nation in Places far remote one from the other and in Interests directly opposite In the Year 408 Stilicon Honorius's Lieutenant who was accused for introducing them is massacred by the Order of Honorius the Emperor Alaric King of the Visigoths his good Friend to revenge his Death besieged the City of Rome Three times and the last takes it by Treason on the Twentieth Day of August in the Year 410. About the end of the same Year he died in Calabria as he was preparing to pass into Africk Ataulfe his Cousin succeeded him and espoused Placidia Sister of the Emperor Honorius whom he had taken in Rome In the Year 412 Ataulfe passed into Gaul Narbonnoise and makes himself Master of Narbonne He remained there but Three Years The Count Constantius who was since Emperor and married Placidia his Widow compelled him to go into Spain where he was killed by his own People in Barcelone towards the Month of September in the Year 415. They elected Sigerick in his Place and gave him the same entertainment on the Seventh Day Vallia his Successor was remanded into Gaul by Constantius who gave him the Second Aquitain with some Cities in the adjacent Provinces amongst others that of Toulouze where he established his Royal Seat in the Year 419. But he died in few Months after and Theodorick succeeded him Under this King and under Evaric or Eurick the Visigoths became Masters of all the Three Aquitaines and the Two Narbonnoises During the great Revolt of the Maritime People to wit those upon the Coasts of Flanders Picardy Normandy and Bretagne which happened in the Year 412 the French being joyned with them seized upon that part of Second Germany which was called Ripuaire and the people Ripuarians or Ribarols The Romans by Treaty or otherwise left them the free possession of it A little after which Faramond began to reign We find in the Historians of those times that the French had enjoyed several Kings before him as Genebaud and Alec in the Year 288 who came to Treves to sue for a Peace of Maximilian As also Ascaric and Radagaise in the Year 307 whom Constantine took Prisoners in War and exposed them to Wild Beasts in the Arena for having taken up Arms notwithstanding their Faith given to Constantius his Father In the Year 374 one Mellobaudes who being great Master of the Militia and Count of the Palace of the Emperor Gâ—ian killed and subdued Macrian King of the Germans and rendred many other Services to the Empire Towards the Year 378 one Richemer who had such another Charge near Gratian as Mellobaudes had In the Year 382 one Priam or Priarius whom some would have to be the Father or Grandfather of Faramond besides Marcomir and Sunnon Brethren in 397 the First of which Stilicon banished into Tâ—scany and made the other be Massacred by his own Creatures when he attempted to be â— motion to revenge the Exile of â— Brother And in the Year 414 or â— one Theodemer Son of Richemer whâ— had his Head cut off with his motheâ— Ascila for some Undertakings againâ— the Empire Notwithstanding the common Opâ—nion has always begun to reckon tâ— King 's of France by Faramond whether â— be because his Predecessors had not theâ— fixed residence in Gaul or that he estâ— blished Royalty amongst the Frencâ— In effect it seems that the Romans haâ— in some fashion subdued this Nation anâ— since the entertainment of Marcomirâ— Sunnon and Theodomer they would noâ— longer permit them to have their Kings Faramond began to reign in the Year 418 according to the common Opinion a Year very remarkable by a Great Eclipse of the Sun From whom to Lewis the Fourteenth the present King of France are computed no less than 65 Kings THE Geographical Description OF FRANCE FRANCE then Name which was heretofore called Gaul hath received its Name from that of the ancient People called Franks who came from a part of Germany to inhabit there in the time of its first Kings It is Scituated in the midst of the Temperate Zone Situation between the Forty Second and Fifty First Degree of Latitude extending it self from the Fifteenth Degree of Longitude to the Twenty Ninth insomuch that it may be computed to have 460 Miles English from South to North from the Pyreneans to Calais upon the Channel and 600 in its greatest extent from East to West Extent from the point of Conquet in Bretagne to Saralbe in Lorrain It is bounded in the North by the Channel and the Low-Countries Bounds in the East by Germany Suisserland Savoy and Piedmont from which it is separated by the Alps in the South by the Mediterrancan Sea and the Pyrenean Mountains which separate it from Spain and in the West by the Ocean The Air is recreative and wholsome Quality the Soil extraordinary Fertile in Corn Wines Fruits and Hemp. One meets there with Delicious Medows Pleasant Forests and most agreeable Plains in which one may observe a great number of Cattle and Wild Fowl as Horses Oxen Sheep and Goats Stags Wild-boars partridges Woodcocks Plovers Quails and other Volatils Several Authors as Strabo and Botero speak of its Mines of Gold and Silver If they are rare those of Iron Lead Coals and other Minerals are frequent enough There are Quarries of most Beautiful Stone and Slat exceeding proper for Buildings Towards the South there are several Fountains of Hot and Mineral Waters very relieving for many Distempers Upon the Coasts is made a great quantity of very good Salt Botero says that France produces Four Load-stones which have the vertue to attract the Gold and Silver of Strangers These Four Load-Stones are Corn Wine Salt and Hemp. In a Word there is all that can be desired in order to pass ones Life after a most agreeable manner Amongst the great Number of Râ—vers which fructify this Country Rivers Four are particularly observed to wit the Loire the Seine the Garomne and the Rhone all of them take their rise herein but the last which proceeds from the Mount St. Gothard in the Country of the Grisons and passes through the Lake of Geneva France is divided according to the Twelve great Governments which appeared to the General Assembly of the States held in 1614 Division after the majority of Lewis the
and became very powerful by their great Alliances The last of its Dukes dying left only a Daughter who was married to Charles the Eighth and afterwards to Lewis the Twelfth Kings of France Thus this Dukedom was united to the Crown from which it has not been dismembred since Bretagne was anciently called Armerique Name as being situated along the Sea Some pretend that its new Name was given to it by some People of Great Britain who came to inhabit there or else from Brutus King of the Gauls but there is more probability that this Name proceeds from an old Gaulish word called Brit which signifies painted because its ancient Inhabitants used to paint their Beards and their Hair This Province has about 180 Miles from East to West Extent from beyond Vitrey to the Point of Conquet and 120 from South to North from the Isle of Boüin to the Mouth of the River Coüonon towards St. Michael's Mount It is bounded on the East by Anjou and Main Bounds advancing it self towards the West like a Peninsula to the Ocean which confines it on the other sides The Soil abounds in excellent Pasturage and Cattel Quality from whence they furnish themselves with very good Butter They have good store of Corn some Wine Linnen and Fruits in a great quantity They make Salt upon the Coasts and abound in excellent Fish Here also are the best Sea-Ports of the whole Kingdom Amongst the Number of Rivers which water this Country Rivers is observed the Loire the Villaine which receives the Ouste Those of Blavet Auffen Trieux and Rance Yet these laft are no where considerable but at their Mouths The Government of Bretagne is limited in this single Province Division which is divided into Upper and Lower this towards the West and the other towards the East They that consider the different Languages of the Province divide it into three parts they attribute to the Bishopricks of Dol Rennes and St. Malo the use of the French Tongue they say that the British Tongue which is a remainder of the Gaulish is received amongst the Inhabitants of the Bishopricks of Cornoüaille St. Pol de Leon and Trequier They give a mixt Language to the Bishopricks of Nantes Vennes and St. Brieux These Nine Bishopricks are under the Archbishop of Tours Rennes UPon the Villaine is the largest City Capital and Capital of the whole Province the usual Residence of a Bishop and Parliament It is seated in the Upper Bretagne and has the Privilege of coining Mony about 50 Miles from Nantes 115 from Rochelle c. Long. 16.30 Lat. 48.3 Nantes UPon the Loire is the strongest and more commodious for Traffick by the means of the Loire over which it has a very fine Bridge and by reason of the Flux and Reflux of the Sea Under the Name of Cardivicum and Corbilo it is esteemed one of the three most ancient Cities of 〈…〉 has a Generality a Mint and 〈…〉 It was the Habitation of 〈…〉 Dukes of Bretagne and 〈…〉 of their Eldest Sons under 〈…〉 of Earls as also Dinan◠〈◊〉 of their Youngest It is a Bishops 〈…〉 as St. Malo Dol and St. Brieux about 44 Miles from Anger 's 68 from Rochelle Long. 16.48 Lat. 47.13 St. Malo THe strong Situation of St. Malo upon the Sea and its vast Correspondence in Foreign Countries render it one of the most considerable places of the Kingdom It is guarded at Night by very fierce Dogs of an English Breed which go the Rounds of the City The Discovery of Canada is owing to one of its Inhabitants called James Cartier In the year 1661. it suffered a great Loss by a Fire which consumed a part of the Houses about 12 Miles from Dol and 42 from Rennes Long. 16.8 Lat. 48.40 Dol. IT stands in a Marshy Ground and is said to contain some Family who bear the Name of Devils perhaps because they are the Remainders of the ancient People Diablintes Some Dukes of Bretagne had a design to have erected the Bishoprick of Dol into an Archbishoprick About 33 Miles from Rennes Long. 16.22 Lat. 48.34 St. Brieux a Bishops See was the only City which preserved it self during the Wars between the Families of Blois and Mont for t it stands on the Sea about 55 Miles from Rennes The Five foregoing Cities are in the Upper Bretagne Brest IN a Gulf where the Sea makes Four different Entries is esteemed one of the best Sea-Ports of Europe Indeed the Ships are always afloat there were they of Two Thousand Tun. It is the principal Magazine of the Admiralty of France for Vessels which go upon the Ocean seated in the Lower Bretagne About 125 Miles from Rennes 120 from St. Malo 320 from Paris Long. 13.18 Lat. 47.58 Blavet BLavet aliás Port-Loüis was formerly given to the Spaniards by those of the Ligue and during the War against those of the Reformed Religion the Sieur de Soubise had a design to render himself Master of it This and Brest bear the Lawrel from all the rest by reason of their strong Fortifications together with the Goodness and Greatness of their Ports It stands in the Lower Bretagne about 82 Miles from Rennes and 60 from Brest Long. 14.42 Lat. 47.23 In the Sea of Gascogne under the 17th Degree of Latitude there is an Island which is called Bell-Isle which extends it self about 21 Miles in Length 9 in Breadth and about 54 in Circumference It is considerable for the Passage of Ships along its Coasts and for its strong Castle which the Hollanders attak'd in vain An. 1674. notwithstanding their puissant Naval Army for that Effect Oüessant a little Island nearer the Shoar towards the West has the Title of Marquisat as well as Bell-Isle 6. Of the Government of ORLEANOIS THis is one of the best and most agreeable Countries of France as also the most extensive of its Governments for it comprehends Fourteen or Fifteen Provinces or Countries It is called the Government of Orleanois Name because Orleans is the most remarkable among the Cities It has near 300 Miles from East to West Extent from beyond Chinon-Castle in Nivernois to the Extremity of Poisou and near 204 from South to North from Monbrun in Angoumois to Nonan-court in Normandy It is bounded in the East by Burgundy and Champagne Bounds in the North by the Isle of France and Normandy in the West by Bretagne and the Sea and in the South by Saintonge Perigord la Marche and Bourbonnois The Soil is very fertile in Corn Quality Wine Cattle and in a word all things that may conduce to the satisfaction of Life Amongst other Woody parts it to be seen the Forest of Orleans that contains 70000 Acres an◠'t is said that in the time of Francis th◠First it contained 140000. There i◠no Country in France where one mee◠with so many Paved Ways as here It is watered with a great number o◠Rivers Rivers amongst which
The Soil is not generally Fertile Quality by reason of the great Number of Mountains and Forests which are to be met with in some of its Provinces The Rhône the Saone the Loire Rivers and the Allier are the most celebrated Rivers that water the extent of this Government Lyonnois is one of the most agreeable Countries of France being diversified with Plains and delicious Hills which produce very good Corn excellent Wines and great store of different Fruits particularly Chesnuts which ar◠transported all over Europe Lyons ONE of the most ancient and celebrated Cities of Gaul is a Noble City since its Situation is exceeding pleasant its Climat very Healthful its Places and Edifices most Magnificent It is at present one of the Richest and most Populous Cities of the Kingdom in Merchants Trading in several Places by means of the Loire the Saone and the Rhône There are Banks and Correspondencies for Africa Asia and all the principal states of Europe all sorts of Manufactures and Impressions of Books It was formerly a Colony of the Romans It s Mayor and Sheriffs are ennobled and transmit their Honour to their Posterity The Canons of the Cathedral Church are to be Noble in the Fourth Race and bear the Title of Earls It has an Archbishop who qualifies himself Primat of the Gauls There is also a Generality a Mint and a Presidial See It is seated on the Confluence of the Rhône and the Saone about 16 Miles from Vienne 70 from Geneva 150 from Turin 200 from Orleans and 230 from Paris Lon. 24.8 Lat. 45.24 Beaujeu UPon the Ardiere is the Capital of Beaujolois There is nothing recommendable in this City but a very antient work of Embroidery which represents the Sacrifice of a Hog a Sheep and a Bull which is to be seen over the Portal of the Principal Church The Romans called these Sacrifices Suovetauralia It stands on the Brow of a Hill about 30 Miles from Lyons and 14 from Mascon Lon. 23.50 Lat. 45.50 Mont-Brison UPon the Vezise passes for the Capital of Forez It is famous for an Admirable Piece of Clock-work about 43 Miles from Lyons Lon. 23.10 Lat. 45.14 Clermont THis City is not only the Capital o◠Lower Auvergne but of the whole Province It is renowned in History for the holding of several Councils Under King Philip the First the Voyage of the Holy Land was here resolved on Here is said to be a Fountain which has the vertue to Petrify for with the single course of its Waters which seem to be thick and bituminous it has made a Wall 200 Yards long and 4 yards high with a Bridge which they are obliged to cut down sometimes to prevent its too great encrease King Charles the Ninth had the curiosity to go and see it in his Journy to Bayonne It is an Episcopal See and stands on a little Hill about 50 Miles from Moulins 90 from Lyons and 200 from Paris Lon. 22.00 Lat. 45.28 Saint Flour is the Capital of Upper Auvergne remarkable for its Bishops See about 45 Miles from Clermont Riom Capital of the Dutchy of Auvergne holds the Second Rank after Clermont It is adorned with a Generality a Mint Presidial and other Prerogatives about 7 Miles from Clermont Moulins THis City is the Capital of the Province of Bourbonnois accompanied with a Castle considerable for its strength and building It has likewise very sine and large Suburbs where is made the best sort of Knives and Scissars which are Transported from thence It has a Generality upon which depend the Elections of Montlucon Gannat and Esvaon and some others of Nivernois and the Upper Marche The Inhabitants have the reputation of being Civil and Officious It stands nigh the Center of all France on the River Allier about 28 Miles from Nevers 96 from Lyons and 90 from Dijon Lon. 22.14 Lat. 46.16 Gueret with its Royal Jurisdictions is the Capital of the Upper Marche it stands on the River Cruse about 32 Miles from Limoges Dorat is the Capital of the Lower Marche about 26 Miles from Limoges and 47 from Poitiers 9. Of the Government of GUYENNE THis Country was antiently called the Kingdom of Aquitain ab Aquis because of the great number of Springs and Fountains of Hot Water Eleanor Inheritrix of this Province and Wife of Loüis the Young King of France having been Divorced espoused Henry King of England to whom she brought for a Dowry this Guyenne which Loüis had rendred to her This was a Firebrand that kindled between the Two Crowns a War which lasted near 300 years and finished but in 1443. The Government of Guyenne is full as spacious as Orleanois Extent since it extends it self from East to West above 240 Miles from St. John de Breüil Frontier of Languedoc to the Sea and from South to North above 225 from the Port of Albe in Cominge to Niort in Poitou It is bounded in the North by Poitou Angoumois Bounds and la Marche in the East by Auvergne and Languedoc in the South by the Pyrenaean Mountains which separate it from Spain and in the West by the Ocean The Air is generally wholesom enough Quality the Soil fertile in Corn Wine and Fruits except in the Lands towards the Coasts and the Pyrenaeans where it produces nothing but Broom and Pasturage which feed a good number of Cattel Fountains of hot Water are generally to be found here It is watered with a great Number of Rivers Rivers amongst which is remarked the Garomne the Lot the Dordonne l'Adour and the Charnte The Confluence of the Garomne and the Dordonne which is made at the Mouth of Ambez is very dangerous It is to be observed that from the Mouth of Ambez to the Sea this River is called Gironde and not Garomne as Sanson has marked in all his Maps It is divided into two principal Parts whereof one that is towards the North retains the Name of Guyenne and the other which is towards the South is called in general Gascogne Guyenne distinguisht into Eight little Countries First of all one observes observes Guyenne properly so called and Bazadois about the Garomne Agenois Quercy and Roüergue which are to be found in order upon the Lot in ascending to its Rise on the Northern side Limosin is seated to the North of the Dordonne Perigord about the same River and Xaintogne about the Charente and upon the Coasts of the Ocean Gascogne is likewise divided into several little Countries First Armagna◠is distinguished in the midst which extends it self to the Pyrenaean Mountains and is subdivided into several little Jurisdictions as the Upper and Lower Armagnac the Countries of Riviere Verdun Lomagne c. towards the North Condommois and les Landes towards the West the same Lands and the Land of Labourd on the South one meets with in order along the Pyrenaeans the lower Navarre with the Vicounty of Soul Bearn and Bigorre after which one rejoyns the upper Armagnac and towards
Of the Government of LANGUEDOC CAEsar after the Conquest of Provence still advances into Gaul distinguishâ—d the Province which we call Langueâ—oc by the Name of Gaul Narbonoise â—n the declining of the Empire it was â—surped upon the Romans by the Goths who gave it the Name of Gothia establishing therein the Kingdom of the Visigoths whereof Toulouse was the Capital and which was absolutely extinguished since Charles Martel Some Authors pretend and not without cause that Languedoc took its Denomination from the Goths who reigning long in the Country left behind them a smack of their Language and therefore it was called Languegotia Name and now Euphoniae gratiâ termed Languedotia or Languedoc that is the Goths Language Ortelius conjectures this to be the reason whereas the other French-men in an Affirmation say Oüy these of this Country say Oc and therefore called Languedoc The Government of Languedoc Extent which comprehends les Cevennes extends it self from East to West about 210 Mileâ— And near 240 from South to North-Eâ—â— from Aiqs in the Earldom of Foix â— Annonay towards Lyonnois The Rhône separates it towards thâ— East from Dauphine and Province Bounds â—onnis Auvergne Roüergue and Querâ— bound it towards the North Gascogâ— that is to say Armagnac and le Coming towards the West and Catalonia witâ— the Mediterranean Sea towards the Soutâ— Languedoc passes for one of the moâ—â— agreeable and fertile Provinces of thâ— Kingdom having the Advantages oâ— Olives Raisons Figs Oranges and other Fruits not ordinary but here and in the adjoyning Province Quality The People have somewhat in them of the ancienâ— Goths and come nearer to the Humonâ— of the Spaniards than any other of the French as being esteemed very devour great Boasters of themselves affecting Gallantry above their Estates not caring how they pinch it on Workydays or at home in private provided they may make a Figure in the Street and be fine on Holydays The Temper of the Women too but in them 't is more excusable The Soil of Cevennes is very mounâ—â—inous and infertile in many places â—n others it poduces Wine Millet Ches-â—uts and other Fruits It s greatest Ferâ—ility is in Pasturage which makes the Country abound in Cattel especially in â—heep and Mules Here is a great store of Wildsowl c. Besides the Rhône which I have alâ—eady mentioned there are several other Rivers amongst which one observes the Tarn which passes by Montauâ—an and mingles its Waters with those of the Garomne beyond Moissac The Ariege the Aude which passes by Careassone in which the Tresquel discharges it self which is joyned by a Canal with the little Lers which goes to discharge it self into the Garomne 'T is the Canal of Languedoc which has been so much talkt of for the Communication of the two Seas the Ocean and the Mideterranean Mr. Du Val has made a particular Map thereof Languedoc is divided into upper and lower the one towards the West Division and the other towards the East upon the Mideterranen Sea The first comprehends Toulousan Albigeois Lauragais and the Earldom of Foix. The other is distinguished into Three Parts to wâ—â— Narbonne Beziers and Nismes which are to be found thus in order going from West to East Les Cevennes which is seated to the North of the Lower Languedoc is also distinguished into Three Countries which are Gevaudan Vivarais and Vellay The First is towards the West the Second towards the East along the Rhône and the Last to the North of these Two Cholouse SEated upon the Garomne is the Capital City of this Government It passes for one of the ancientest and finest Cities of all France It was the Seat of the ancient Tectosages whâ— made so many Conquests in Asia and Greece It was one of the Colonies oâ— the Romans and since that Capital of the Kingdom of the Visigoths and afterwards that of Aquitain then of a particular and very powerful County whose Titular was Peer of France It is now adorned with an Archiepiscopal See a Parliament a Seneschalsey a Generality a Mint and a University It enjoys several Monuments of Antiquity as a Capitol an Amphitheatre Aqueduct ancient Temples and many other Curiosities several Churches here and most part of the Houses are built with Brick It is about 21 Miles from Montauban 42 from Aux and 54 from Chaors Lon. 19.48 Lat. 43.29 Alby SEated upon the Tarn is the Capital of Albigeois It was erected but of late to an Archbishoprick by Pope Innocent the Eleventh It s Archbishop is Lord of the City Remarkable in Church-History for those great Opposites to the Corruptions and Errors of the Church of Rome called the Albigenses against whom the War was made under Philip Augustus Loüis the Eighth and Saint-Loüis It stands about 35 Miles from Rodes and 42 from Toulouse Lon. 20.40 Lat. 43.43 Narbon SEated on the Mouth of the River Aude the first Roman Colony after Carthage out of Italy This Narbon was in the Infancy of the Roman Empire the greatest and most populous Town of all France Insomuch that from it all this part was called Galliâ— Narbonensis a Province of which Plinâ— afforded us this Censure that for Fettility of Soil and Civility of People it was inferiour to none in the Roman Empire It had formerly a Capitol an Amphitheatre and several ancient Monuments whose Remainders are to be seen at this day It is an Archbishops See who presides over the States of Languedoc and is at present well Fortified as a Town of War frontiering Catalonia and the Land of Rousillon It is about 35 Miles from Perpignan 60 from Mompelier and 88 from Toulouse Lon. 21.35 Lat. 42.48 Nimes IN Latin Nemausus anciently a Roman Colony now a Bishops See where there remain some Marks of the Roman Greatness especially the Ruins of a spacious Palace built by the Emperor Adrian It was very much esteemed by the Emperors Between Nîmes and Vsez is to be found the Bridge du Gard upon the River Gardon which passes in this place betwixt two Mountains which are joyned by this Bridge 'T is one of the noblest Monuments that is left us of the Romans It has Three Stories of Arches one upon another and the last was an Aqueduct It s Structure imprints Horror and Respect at the same time Nîmes stands about 18 Miles from Arles 22 from Avignon and 24 from Mompelier Lon. 22.25 Lat. 43.16 Mompelier THis City was scarce any thing 700 Years ago but now 't is one of the fairest of France seated on a high Mountain as the Name imports some 12 Miles distant from the Sea It is honoured with an Episcopal See a Generality a Mint a Presidial and a famous University where Physick holds the first Rank and for that very happily seated the Country round about affording great variety of Medicinal Herbs The Royal Garden of Plants is a great Curiosity Of late one of the strongest Holds which those of the Reformed Religion possessed in this