Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1872-01-05
Communications.
wRIrrfN ron THE VERMONT PHOENIX.
LETTER FROM EUROPE.


LETTER FRO.u EUROPE.
PARIS, Nov. 81, 1871.
Our sail from Genoa to Nice was a very
smooth passage, therefore very pleasant.
There are so many sacred things associated
with the waters OF the Mediterranean, that
we enjoyed much sitting on deck, looking
Off upon the smooth surface by moonlight,
and rehearsing the events Of biblical histo-
ry which transpired upon this sea. These
we're the only "great waters" known to the
ancents. Both old and new testaments re-
fer to them MS such, and call them by that
name. No doubt the first ships ever made
were launched upon them. II was here
that Solomon had lis fleets here that st.
Paul and the other Apostles made their
journeys, visiting churches, and without
question our Saviour rode upon these wa
ters. They wash the shores of Palestine,
and nearly all the lands of sacred history
are upon the borders Of the Mediterranean.
NJ my events of modern history also COM
ing 10 mind, made this short trip of 40
miles as interesting as any one we had en-
ioycd. Our route was along near the shore,
which was Il line of ragged, barren rocks,
from which ii would seem by their clear
surface that the soil had been washed by
the storms Of ages.
We arrived at Nice at early dawn. AS
we approach the city the scene is beautiful.
The lofty rocks topped here and there with
high towers, appear TO separate and give
place to the ricI valley which runs back
from the sea, gradually rising until it
reaches the lofty mountains in the back
ground. The wharis, docks and piers, all
along in front of the city, which are splen-
did specimens of solid masonry of cut
granite, aud the blocks of buildings along
the shore overlooking the sea, many CT
which are hotels, fine, high structures,
mostly of white marble-atogethe made
the view an imposing one. The city has
population of over $4,000. The streets are
wide, well paved and clean, and the shops
and stores look very attractive, exhibiting
a great variety of rich goods. The stream
which divides the city is banked with SOL
id walls of granite aud spanned with sew
eral very handsome bridges. All along by
the river and along by the sea shore for
nearly two miles below the city proper, is
a wide promenade well filled with people,
and every fine afternoon with the iashiopa-
bles. Shaded with large palm trees, en-
closed with fancy wire fence, nterspersed
are large orange, lemon, oleander and rose
trees, and many Towering shrubs, all in
bloom and Of exquisite beauty. On the
other side of this well cared for, narrow
line of green, is wide drive over a well
4. IL
by the seashorc, and where can be seen ev-
cry pleasant day most elegant turnouts.
The hotels and residences all along this
road, and the beautiful villas all about the
outskirts of the city, are surrounded with
fine lawns, flower gardens, and orange
groves, now full of fruit, presenting very
attractive appearance. The old city walls
and division fences are covered with green
English ivy, century plants and cactus of
immense growth. Palm, olive, orange and
fig trees are plentiful everywhere, filled
with luscious fruit. The beach is sandy,
with good surf bathing, the air clear, ard
the climate warm and heathful. We were
told that ii is seldom cold enough during
the winter to form ice In short, Nice is a
delightful plIce, great resort for invalids,
and greatly patronzed by the fashionable
world as winter resort. The many hotels
are well filled with guests from all parts of
Europe, and many from our own country.
From here we took the cars for Mar
seilcs. The railway is a gigantic work,
cut through the barren rocks which skirt
the sea, with many short tunne 5. The on
ly town of much renown we pass through
is Toulon, wlich is the great naval arsenal
of France on the Mediterranean, and Sec
ond only to Brest in the Empire, place of
over $4,000 population. This is the place
where it is sid Bonaparte, when young
uan, had his first command in n great bat
tie against The British and Spanish fleets
before the city. His display of military
genius in directing the batteries on the
heights which commanded the forts held
by the enemy, made the day successful,
won for him name, and was the begin
ming of his career in military glory. We
arrived in Marseiles late in the day and
found surprising difference in the wealth
er from Nice, it being almost freezing cold.
Marseiles is a very old town, said TO have
been founded by the Phnnicians, who :led
htherasa refuge from the vengeance of Cy-
rus, 600 years before Christ. 1t is a sea-
port and one of the great commercial cities
of France. The harbor is large and capa-
BILE of holding several hundred vessels, yet
the entrance is such that il will admit only
one at time. The city and harbor are
strongly fortified. 1t Is from here steam
ers depart weekly for Constantinople, Ath-
ems, Alexandria, Malta, and to all the ports
OF the Mediterranean. The city now has
population OF over 100000 and is gaining
rapidly. Very little of antiquity or of its
early days is to be seen. 1t is strictly
modern city. In style of architecture and
manner Of doing business, it is more like
New York than any other city we have
visited. 1t is good business point Tor en-
terprising Americans, and am told many
are already located here in successful busi-
ness.
II IS about 800 miles from Marscilles TO
Paris. On our way we stopped at Lyons,
a city about the same size, and Wuch like
MarseilleS, situated at the confluence of the
rivers Rhone and Saone. 1t is city of great
amount of business, and has several large