SECRETARY'S REPORT. 255 



quity. It is well known that this region was a Roman province 

 in the time of Christ, and a thousand remains of this flourish- 

 ing period still show tlie degree of civilization to which they 

 had attained here. Witness the old bridge at Avignon, and the 

 castles and watch-towers all down the banks of the Rhone. But 

 I do not know on what specific foundation the tradition rests, 

 or what color of truth attaches to it. From the numerous 

 other traditions of this conscience-stricken wanderer, along this 

 river, it is altogether probable that he visited this region during 

 the latter part of his troubled life, and perhaps his bones were 

 laid where the tradition places them. 



I did not believe, at the time, that the Rhine could be more 

 beautiful than the vine-clad Rhone, and I do not think now 

 that it is. The celebrated Hermitage vineyard crowns the 

 sides of a lofty hill on the left, and a little lower down on the 

 right, but two miles from the river, is the almost equally cele- 

 brated St. Peray. It is, I suppose, the quality of the soil that 

 gives this section its high reputation for the quality of wine ; 

 but the location of the Hermitage is unsurpassed, lying in a 

 great basin, with a southern or south-western exposure. Thou- 

 sands of acres along the Rhone are terraced up the sides of lofty 

 hills with incredible labor, step rising above step in almost 

 endless succession. 



In the more southern part of this valley the culture of the 

 mulberry begins, and we are scarcely out of the old city of 

 Avignon before the whole face of the country appears to be 

 covered with mulberry trees. In 1789, it is said, the produce 

 of the mulberry district was six thousand tons of cocoons 

 worth $3,000,000. In 1853 it had increased to 25,000 tons, 

 worth more than $20,000,000. I suppose the whole process of 

 silk growing is more manufacturing than agricultural, still the 

 care of the trees and gathering of the leaves partakes of the 

 latter character. This does not take much time, and on a 

 plantation, wholly or chiefly devoted to this business, the sub- 

 sistence of the whole year depends on the labor of a few weeks. 

 When all goes well the silk growers prosper, but bad years often 

 bring great distress upon tliose who rely mainly upon this 

 industry. It is uncertain, and often depends on circumstances 

 over which the laborer has no control. 



