2i8 A SKETCH OF THE 



the thrift, for which the inhabitants of these shores are noted, and 

 the anxiety to deal fairly with one who had proclaimed himself a 

 poor man of science like himself. It remmded us of the scene in 

 " Ivanhoe " where Gurth is paying Isaac for his master's armour. 

 But in this instance generosity prevailed ; for, after running his 

 trembling fingers for some time over his treasures, the old man at 

 last pounced down, as an equivalent for my coin, on a fossil bivalve 

 worth at least three-halfpence. 



By this time the sun was high above the horizon, and we had 

 only come two miles ; so we wished our entertainer good-bye and 

 the speedy disposal of his wares. The rocks around are celebrated 

 not only for their caves, but also for a deep and picturesque gorge, 

 where a stream of water comes tumbling down a precipice fully 

 five hundred feet high ; an ancient aqueduct with arches spans the 

 rocks within ; whilst high up, suspended in mid-air, is a limestone 

 bridge which separates France from Italy. Here many plants have 

 found a home. The mauve Lavatera, which, like most of the mallow 

 family, has conspicuous flowers, is common there ; and by its side 

 are gorse-like coronilla bushes, bright with crowds of yellow 

 blossoms. Wild thyme is also there, and rosemary, beloved by 

 bees, whilst maiden-hair ferns grow in great profusion by the water- 

 side. Many butterflies select this spot, for high mountains shelter 

 it on the north, and the bright sun, reflected from the rocks, keeps 

 perpetual summer there. Our road led us through olive gardens, 

 and terraces of lemon trees, whose golden fruit lay scattered in 

 hundreds on the ground. Orange groves were also passed ; but the 

 mere thought of a Mentone orange sets one's teeth on edge, and the 

 people of the Riviera, who adore Columbus, have great cause for 

 gratitude in his finding a country where they can dispose of their 

 inferior fruit for flavouring gin-slings and cocktails. 



The fourth milestone brought us to Mr. Hanbury's celebrated 

 garden, which during this Anemone season is at its best. The 

 garden stands some three hundred feet above the sea. On one side 

 are yellow and red rocks, with distant purple hills; below, bordering 



