l-f6 TRAVELLING MEMORANDUMS. Oft. 12, 



chiefly of the ecclefiaftical preferments in his difpofal. 

 — There are four biflioprics. — That of Avigtmi is reck- 

 oned worth 3000I. SterHng/^r annum. 



The town ot Avignon\\2.s no magiftracy nor jurifdic- 

 tion ; but they arc allowed to enjoy certain privileges,and 

 have right to an annual revenue of no lefs than 25,0001. 

 Sterling. — This revenue is faithfully adniiniftered by 

 three confuls; one chofen by the Pope, one by the 

 nobles, and one by the burgefles. — They compute that 

 five or fix thoufand of this revenue is neccfl'arily and 

 adtually expended every year in erefling new, and re- 

 pairing old bulwarks, to defend this town and fertile 

 country from devafb-tions by the two rivers Rhone and 

 Durance. — Sometimes this expence amounts to greater 

 fums. — From 7 to 8000I. is annually neceflary and ex- 

 pended to fupport their three great hofpitals* — The 

 river Durance is very remarkable for its rapid violence 

 and deftruftive wafte through all its courfe. — The peo- 

 ple have this common proverb, " That the country of 

 *' Provence is afflicted by three plagues; the parliament, 

 *' the menftral winds, and the river D«>-a/;if."— They 

 complain of vexatious delays, andexceflive expence of 

 Jaw fuits, carried on before that parliament *.— The pa- 

 pal nobility within this territory oi Avigmn are few in 

 number, and inccnfiderable in wealth. — The land pro- 

 perty is moftly divided into fmall eftates. — The rich 

 and great at Avignon are French nobility, generally 

 from Provencey Langttedoc, and Dauphiny- v.ho by their 

 refidence here are entitled to certain privileges, without 

 affecling their rights as French fubjccls. — They keep 

 up the diftindlions of rank and birth to a high pitch. — 

 They avoid intercourfe or fociety with burgefles and 

 other untitled people. — They even contemn the papal 

 nobility, and in derifion call them by the name of 

 Pap,p. 



* The ParHameiits in Franc-- are merely courts of jii£ke; not pro- 

 p:rl/ Icgiflative affcmblies, as in Britain. 



(To be continued. J 



