Voyages and travels over all Europe Containing all that is most curious in that part of the world. In eight tomes. Done out of French.

CHAP. IX. Of Xaintonge and Angoumois.

I Join these two Provinces together, first, because they both give their names to the Capital Cities, and are very near under the same Climate; and secondly because the Remarks which I have made upon each in particular, be∣ing added together, will afford matter but for a very small Chapter.

Xaintes, seated upon the Banks of the Charante, is beautify'd with many marks of Antiquity. The Bridge over the River makes it evident by a Latin Inscription that it was built by Caesar; upon which are also to be seen the re∣mains of a Triumphal Arch. The Church of St. Peters, which was the one and twentieth of those that Charle∣maign caus'd to be built was ruin'd in the last Civil Wars. Nor is it less re∣markable for the remains of an Amphi∣theater and several Aqueducts, and di∣vers other Monuments of Roman An∣tiquity. It is also a Bishops See, and the Seat of a Presidial Court. 'Tis

likewise observ'd that the Water of the River Charante keeps much longer sweet at Sea, then the Water of other Rivers.

There are also several other fair Cities in Xaintoigne, as Coignac, Tonnay, and Brouage; famous for the Salt-pits adjoyning to it. At the Mouth of the Sea, which is call'd the Sea of Bourdeaux, stands a Tower built upon a Rock, which serves as a Pharos or Land mark to direct Ships that Sail upon that Coast. It is call'd the Tower of Cordouan; and we are as∣sur'd, that it is much higher and more beautiful then the Pharos of Alexandria.

Blaye, built upon the River side, is considerable for the Fortifications which hinder the Entrance of any Enemies Ships into the Harbour. There is also to be seen the Sepul∣chre of Charibert King of Paris, the Eldest Son of Clotaire the First.

The County of Xantoigne is very fer∣tile in Corn, Wine, Pasturage, Saf∣fron, &c. greatly stor'd with Fish, and abounding in Roman, or Pontic Worm∣wood; and it is a common Proverb a∣mong the People of the Country, That

if France were an Egg, Xantoigne would be the Yolk.

Though the City of Angoulesm be seated upon a Rock at the top of a Moun∣tain, yet there is a Cittadel also built for the better Defence of it: Which also serves for a Curb upon the City it self should their happen any Sedition.

Two Leagues from Angoulesm, is a Fountain to be seen, which issuing out of an Abyss, never increases nor dimi∣nishes. A certain Queen of France, be∣ing desirous to know whence the Spring of this Fountain should arise, order'd a Condemn'd Person to be let down into the Abyss, who reported that he could see nothing but Dreadful Rocks and Monstrous Fish, that would have de∣vour'd him, had he not speedily got out of their way. At Montmeron a Silver Mine was discover'd; but no-body was ever set to work in it. The reason of which I believe to be, because Nature has furnish'd it with so small a quantity of that Metal, that the Mine will not afford Ore enough to Pay the Work∣men.

The People of Xantoigne are lookt on to be very Witty, and more Courageous. Those of Angoulesm are no less War∣like,

and love to live like Gentlemen; but the Common People are Clowns and Brutes.