The Sun.
London, England, 1858-09-20 00:00:00

TILE WET DOCK OF VILLAFRANCA

(From Galignanf s Messenger.)
A correspondent sends us the following amusing
letter from Nice, dated the 16th. The portion
which gives information to persons seeking that
seaport for the autumn months is well worth
attention :
" The inhabitants of this town and of the whole
line of coast as far as Genoa are in a wild state o
excitement in consequence of a report being cur-
rent that the negotiations pending for some time
past between the Sardinian Government and the
Russian Mediterranean Steam Navigation Com-
pany,' for the cession of the wet dock of Villa-
franca, have been at length brought to a satisfac-
tory conclusion. One journal of this town goes
so far as to name the amount which is to be paid
by the Russian company (four millions), and it
further announces that a monument will be erected
by the inhabitants of Villafranca in honour of the
Russian General Baggawoodt, who is said to have
brought the neg.otiations to a happy issue. These
are, I believe, irresponsible statements ; and, al-
though no doubt exists with regard to the cession
of the dock, it would be imprudent to consider the
question definitively solved until the presence of
the company's steamers shall have placed the matter
beyond all dispute. There are political views mixed ,
up with this cession which I will avoid discussing,
particularly since it is not certain whether the ad-
vantages of the excellent port of Villahanca will be
exclusively enjoyed by the commercial company, or
be shared by the Russian vessels of war whichmay
enter the Mediterranean waters. It is more satis-
factory to look at the practical features of the ques-
tion, and to feel assured that the welfare of the
population of the coast will be greatly promoted
by the presence of the Russian vessels. Where
inaction now prevails, commerce and its healthy
results will be introduced ; and the stimulant to
industry which now fails will then beco
mention
the hopes of facilitating the above cession inspired
the municipality of Nice with the idea of forming
a road along the coast to Villafranca. This idea
was warmly embraced by the owners of the pro-
perty which the-road would have to traverse
all claim to
they willingly consented to waive
pecuniary compensation. Villafranca stands at
the extremity of a magnificent bay formed in por-
tion by the promontory which partly shelters the
Lay of Nice. The port is capacious and safe, and
is at times visited by Sardinian war vessels. The
town is small and uninteresting ; it is at present
garrisoned by a regiment sonic two thousand
strong, whereas a couple of companies held it in
former days. The bay is tolerably well fortified,
but no very effectual resistance could be offered
gunboats. Villafranca is con-
to heavily-armed
nected with Nice by a road open to carriages, but
the hilly character of the country renders that
mode of travelling most distressing. It is far
more agreeable to walk the distance, which may be
effected in a good hour and a half. The new road
projected by the town of Nice will place the two
ports within easy distance of each other, and Nice
will naturally profit largely by the neighbourhood
of the Russian company. The season has not yet
commenced in Nice, and the few strangers who
have already arrived feel themselves uncomfortable
in the midst of the bustling, gesticulating popula-
tion of lodging-house keepers who fill the streets,
chattering. over the winter prospects, and awaiting
with feverish anxiety the arrivals of diligence and
steamer in the hope of entrapping strangers. To-
wards the end of October the arrival becomes
numerous, but long before that period the im-
patient lodging-house keepers have despaired of the
season and are willing to let their apartments- at
reduced prices. I should, therefore, recommend
persons who intend passing the season at Nice to
take their departure from Marseilles early in Octo-
ber ; they will stand the chance of finding a sea
sufficiently calm to permit them to take the steam-
boat instead of incurring the martyrdom of a dili-
gence. Very rough weather can alone justify the
adoption by travellers of the latter mode of travel-
ling. It is, however, only fair to add that the
steamboat accommodation is most unsatisfactory,
and speaks little for the commercial enterprise of
Nice or Marseilles. The traveller would do well,
on arriving in Nice, to look well about him before
he engages apartments • he must remember that
it is the winter mistral he has to provide against,
and not the heavy autumnal heat which oppresses
him on his arrival. Let him, therefore, select a
spot well favoured by the sun, and resist the
blandishments of over-pressing house-owners. No-
thin,-; can equal the perserverance with which this
class Lrive their business, as the following instance
may prove :—On the steamboat which conveyed
me from Marseilles were two members of the in-
terest in question—husband and wife. The lives
of the passengers were rendered miserable by the
incessant appeals of this couple. If a particularlv
beautiful sweep of the glorious coast excited the ad-
miration of some passenger, a voice at his elbow
proclaimed that the view from her windows was
immeasurably superior. At a very moment-
ous period I asked for a basin ; the same voice in-
stantly offered me two furnished room% and a kitchen.
There was no escaping the nuisance, for the husband
took up a formidable position afore, while the wife
vigorously carried everything before her aft. A
rival to Nice is starting up in the principality of
Monaco, which enjoys a climate perhaps superior to
Nice, and offers the pleasing recommendation of
novelty. A sail from Nice toMonaco is delightful ;
the native bark flies over the azure water in view of
the most beautiful line of coast that can be _desired.