20 TRAVELS IN CfPER 



which produce that spirituous and high-flavoured 

 liquor, excess in which has, oftener than once, 

 conducted the drinker to the hot bath. 



We wished likewise to look at Montpellier, 

 and made that excursion along the finest road I 

 ever saw in France. 



At last time pressed our return to the coast of 

 Provence, and we resolved to go by sea. We 

 agreed for our passage with the master of one of the 

 tartans then in the port of Cette. As we waited, 

 at our inn, for the hour fixed for sailing, the master 

 arrived, out of breath, to inform us, that M. the 

 commandant of the city desired our attendance at 

 his house, where several other persons, who were 

 to embark on board the same tartan, had already 

 assembled. He signified to me that M. the com- 

 mandant was highly displeased with me in parti- 

 cular, because that being an officer, I was leaving. 

 Cette without his permission. 



Though it was in $ny power to have refused sub- 

 mission to a pretension so singular, we went to the 

 commandant's. He was an officer of invalids, hi3 

 name Qiierdle (Quarrel). Immediately addressing 

 himself to me, he said : " I am astonished, Sir, that 

 you have not paid me a visit ; I would have in- 

 vited you to eat soup with me." — " Sir," replied 



I, " you 





