The Portland daily press., 1869-02-11
DAILY PRESS.
PORTLAND.
~
Thursday Morning, February IL, 1869.
Notes by the Way.
NICE, FRANCE, Jan. 25, 1856

lance we were in sight of the Mediterranean,
the road passing near the shore. The coast
has many indentations of bays and promen-
tories. The deep blue of the. sea, the green
hills with their groves of orange and olive
trees, the yellow soil, the villas and villages
dotting the surface of the country, and the
occasional views up the valleys of snow COW
cred mountains, make it one of the most pic
tures4ue and charming routes imaginable
Nice is protected from the cold winds of the
north by the intervening hills. The country
is mountainous, and the railroad which ex-
tends as far as Monaco IL miles distant, pass
ing through many tunnels and deep excava-
tlons OF solid rock. A bay about five miles in
length having slight indentation from the
sea forms the southern aspect of the place.
Along the shore are located the principal ho-
tells and boarding houses, while farther back
on the hill sides, may be seen many splendid
villas. The older portion of the town is COM
posed of old and large buildings with mar
row streets, huddled population, with their
usual accompaniment of pestiferous smells,
Catholic churches, ilth and dirty population.
The language spoken by them is a patois,
a mixture of French aud Italian, with most
of the latter. The new portion of the town
is called the Quarter de la Croir, from a
marble cross erected in 1888, to commence
rate the visit of Pope Paul III, who came
here to reconcile Francis ]. of France with
the Emperor Charles V. of Germany. In
this portion of the town reside generally the
foreign visitors. In It near the sea are situ-
ated the public gardens and the Promenade
| Anglais, which stretches mile and half
along the shore. Each afternoon fer about
two hours these resorts are thronged. Tie
fashion and beauty of the place takes men
its airing. Elegant carriages with theiv titled
occupants roll by. Amidst the crowd may
be seen English Dukes, Russian Counts, Ger
man princes, representing the elite Of the
nobility of Europe, with good representa-
| ton of the sovereigns of our own country;
ladies in the richest dress, fast young men
and faster danes of the demi monde, in the
latest novelties of Partisan fashion, drive their
pony teams up and down the promenade.
The music of the band in the public garden
enlivens the scene. At about four O'Clock the
crowd thins out. Aportion go to the Casino
and other club rooms, where concerts and
balls are held. The table Ghote of the ho-
tells, parties and the opera in the evening
finish up the fashionable life at Nice. Nice
is very ancient place having originally been
built by the Romans, and many interesting
antiquities are found here. visited an
ampitheatre built before the Christian era.
1t is two miles from the city. The walls
are in a good state of preservation.
The mortar and brick of 1900 years ago
were as hard as rock, and the ruins of the
seats from which had been witnessed the
combats of wild beasts, and the more bloody
combats of men were distinctly to be SEEM
Near by are an old Franciscan church and
convent erected as the inscription said on the
site of a temple of Diana. An old castle in
ruins is on the top of a rocky precipice in
the centre of the old town near the shore
From it you have a fine view of Nice and its
surroundings. The walks and drives along
the coast are very pleasant. The one 10 Villa
Franche and San Juan miles distant, was
delightful. In full sight of the sea, the road
is along the side of mountain, and was
made by blasting the solid rock 1t was
built by the present Emperor at large ex-
| pense. In the harbor of Villa Franche lay
an American naval steamer of the feet un-
/ der command of Admiral Pennock. Four
| years since the Empress of Russia spent the
winter here for the benefit of the health of
the Grown Prince. = He died here, and on the
site of the villa occupied by the royal family,
and which was demolished, has been erected
chapel commemorative of his death. 1t is
a small structure, but very elegant, in the
form of a cross with dome. 1t is built of
stone and marble, its interior Is finely deco
rated, and contains many fine paintings. It
is in garden surrounded by orange trees
and fragrant flowers. There is also a Greek
| church here for the accommodation of Russian
visitors. Iattended its Sunday service. The
floor of the church was carpeted there were
no seats, the worshippers generally standing,
kneeling or prostrating themselves, touching
their heads to the floor. The ritual resem-
bles the Roman somewhat, was very impress
sive and was carried on with great solemnity
on the part of the priests and people. The
Russians that see here are very fine look
| ing class, the gentlemen are refined and edu-
Gated. The ladies dress with great deal of
richness and elegance. ,s
A visit to Nice would be incomplete with
out trip to Monaco. 1t is the oldest and
smallest kingdom in Europe. I went by
rail from Nice in company with some Ameri-
can friends. 1t is twelve miles distant. The
dominion is small promontory on the coast.
You can walk all over the whole territory in
half an hour. 1t has population of 800, a
standing army of 80, a palace, Notifications,
ramparts, and cannon of rather ancient
make. The present prince is blind and re-
sides, except in the winter, at Paris. He is a
descendant of the Grimaldi of the tenth CEN
tury, who drove the Saracens from this part
of Europe. The principal attraction is the
castle which is finely situated on naturally
fortified rock close to the sea. 1t is histori-
cally memorable as being the place where
the last of the Stuart princes died. We drove
up to it, but could not obtain admission. A
large portion of the standing army of the
kingdom seemed to be employed as guards
about the palace, which is quite an antiquat-
ed looking cluster of irregular buildings. The
revenues of the prince are largely augmented
4 by the rents he receives from French COM
pany to whom he has rented the pleasantest
portion Of his territory, and who have erect
ed a magnificent hotel and Casino, where
gambling on an extensive scale is carried on
The Russians are said to be the most invet-
crate gamblers of Europe. Some of them
whom saw at the tables at Monaco after.
wards saw kissing the cross at the Greek
church at Nice. / shall leave the first of mex
week for Genoa by steamer The Cornict
road from here to Genoa is very interesting
route combining views of the Mediterranean
and the Apprentices, but it is quite tedious, oc
cupying three days on the journey. 81.
THE DESTRUCTION OF BAGGAGE ON RAIL
RoADs.-The bill reported by Mr.. Harrington
of Fryeburg, from the House Committee on
Legal Reform, provides that whenever baggage
masters, express agents, stage drivers mack
men, or any other person whomsoever' whose
duty it is to handle, remove or take care o
trunks, valises, boxes packages or parcels IL
loading, transporting, unloading, delivering o.
storing the same, whether in the employ o
railroads, steamboats, or stage companies, o
not, shall heedlessly, carelessly or recklessl,
l.. Al