DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11636#0042
l6 TRAVELS IN UPPEP.
Buffon at Montbard, after receiving from him kind
wishes and embraces, which I valued as the bene-
diction of genius. The post conveyed me with its
usual rapidity to Marseilles, where I stopped only
a few moments.
A certain person had formed the project of dig-
ging through a hill in the neighbourhood of Ciotat,
down to the sea, the waters of which, in various
places of the coast, force themselves through im-
mense cavities a considerable way up the land. He
pretended that these subterranean cavities contain-
ed an immense quantity of coral, the easy attain-
ment of which would considerably increase that
branch of commerce, and enrich the projector.
Memorials on the subject had been addressed to
Versailles, in the view of obtaining permission and
assistance. The minister consulted Buffon, who
transmitted the memorials to me, that I might
make the necessary inquiries on the spot. On my
arrival at Ciotat I found the enterprise already re-
linquished ; the work had been given up almost
as soon as it began, and it was thought of no
more.
I was informed at Ciotat of a singular ceremony
practised there every year, the first days of Nivose.
A numerous assemblage of men, armed with sabres
and pistols, sally forth in pursuit of a very small
bird
Buffon at Montbard, after receiving from him kind
wishes and embraces, which I valued as the bene-
diction of genius. The post conveyed me with its
usual rapidity to Marseilles, where I stopped only
a few moments.
A certain person had formed the project of dig-
ging through a hill in the neighbourhood of Ciotat,
down to the sea, the waters of which, in various
places of the coast, force themselves through im-
mense cavities a considerable way up the land. He
pretended that these subterranean cavities contain-
ed an immense quantity of coral, the easy attain-
ment of which would considerably increase that
branch of commerce, and enrich the projector.
Memorials on the subject had been addressed to
Versailles, in the view of obtaining permission and
assistance. The minister consulted Buffon, who
transmitted the memorials to me, that I might
make the necessary inquiries on the spot. On my
arrival at Ciotat I found the enterprise already re-
linquished ; the work had been given up almost
as soon as it began, and it was thought of no
more.
I was informed at Ciotat of a singular ceremony
practised there every year, the first days of Nivose.
A numerous assemblage of men, armed with sabres
and pistols, sally forth in pursuit of a very small
bird