These mineral waters are situated in the department of the Vienne, five leagues from Châtellerault, nine from Poitiers and sixty-six from Paris.
The springs of which there are three rise at the foot of a small mountain, about a quarter of a league from the town.
The accommodations for visitors are of a superior description, the surrounding country exceedingly picturesque, and the air salubrious.
According to the analysis of M. le docteur Joslé, the waters contain a large proportion of sulphureted Hydrogen gas, Sulphate of Lime, Carbonate of Lime, Muriate of Soda, and Carbonate of Magnesia.
They are recommended for their utility in rheumatism, scrofula, chronic affections of the abdominal viscera, leucorrhœa, chlorosis, but more particularly in diseases of the skin.
DrJohnson observes that the French and Germans are universally imbued with the doctrine that the repression of a certain malady which has got the musical sobriquet of (Scotch-Fiddle) is the cause of half the evils which flesh is heir to. On this account the continental folks have a great longing (or rather a violent itching) for sulphureous waters,and hence the slightest odour of sulphureted hydrogen gas in a newly discovered spring is considered a real treasure, and in the old ones it is sure to preserve a reputation for endless ages!
The sulphureous and alkaline properties of the waters of Roche-Posay may enable them to resolve obstructions, and free the functions of the skin, kidneys, and other secreting organs, to correct morbid bile as well as acidities, thus proving mildly aperient. Much benefit may also be expected to result from their use in cutaneous complaints.
The waters are drank at their source by the glass, the dose is from eight ounces to two pints; and some persons take them mixed with the wine drank during their repast.
This village four leagues north of Paris is situated in a district remarkable for its beautiful scenery on the banks of the lake of St. Gratien, between the heights of Montmorency and the wood of St. Gratien.
The sulphureous spring to which it owes its celebrity as a bathing place, was discovered in 1766, by Pere Cotte, the learned rector of Montmorency.
The celebrated Fourcroy ascertained by analysis, that the waters contain sulphureted Hydrogen gas, Carbonic acid gas, Sulphate of Lime, Sulphate of Magnesia crystalized, Carbonate of Lime, Carbonate of Magnesia, Muriateof Magnesia crystalized, Muriate of Soda, Silicium and Extractive matter.
The usual temperature of these waters is 59° Fah: but they may be heated to a much higher degree without materially losing their properties.
These waters are stimulating causing an abundant perspiration, and an increased secretion of urine. They are employed both internally and externally in many cases; in scabious eruptions and many other cutaneous affections, in chronic catarrhs, when it is necessary to stimulate in a gentle manner the mucous membrane which lines the bronchial and pulmonary cells, in the treatment of scrofulous affections, and of enlargement of the lymphatic glands.
They are also used with much success in asthma, particularly where this statedepends upon latent gout, rheumatism, or repelled cutaneous affections, and in intestinal chronic affections, chlorosis, and nervous disorders.
Their alkaline properties empower them to resolve obstructions, and free the functions of the skin, kidneys etc. and to correct acidities, their intimate connexion with sulphureted Hydrogen and Carbonic acid gas enables them to give activity to the secreting vessels and evacuate unhealthy humours, while at the same time they give vigour to the whole organism oppressed by chronic disease.
Visitors will find ample accommodation in the commodious establishments, which are formed on the border of the lake, especially at theHôtel des quatre Pavillons, theHotel des Cygnes,theBain de la Pêcherie: besides these are several good boarding houses, as well as public gardens and places of amusement. On the lake of St.-Gratien, in the centre of which is a small and pretty Island with a kiosk upon it, those fond of aquatic excursions will find boats adapted for sailing or rowing. Horses and Asses are kept ready saddled for those who may be inclined to visit the several delightful villages in the neighbourhood, and the balls which are given here during the season attract the Parisians in great numbers. The baths of Enghien are every year increasing in repute.
The dry wines of the first class will bear no mixture, except with their own growths; are too delicate to be adulterated without instant detection; are the pure offspring of the grape, and rank nearest to perfection of any known wines, of ancient or modern times.
Verzy, Verzenay, Mailly,St.-Basle, Bouzy,St.-Thierry
Vosne, Nuits, Chambolle,Volnay, Pomard,Beaune, Morey, Savigny,Meursalt
Olivotes, Pitoy, Perrière
Préaux, Chainette,Migrenne
Moulin à Vent, Torins,Thénas
Hermitage, 2.d growths.
Côte Rôtie
Rozan, Gorze, Léoville,Larose, Branne-Mouton,Pichon-Longueville,Calon
Côteau Brûlé
Jurançon, Gan
Rousillon, Bagnols,Cosperon, Collioure,Torémila, Terrats
Cramant, Avize, Oger,Menil
La Perrière, Combotte,Goutte d'Or, Genevrière,Charmes et Meursalt
Guebwillers, Turkeim,Wolxheim, Molsheim,and Rangen, in Belfont
Arbois, Pupillin, Château Châlons
Coudrieu
Langon, Cerons,Podensac.
Montbazillac, Teaulet,Raulis, Suma, Sancé.
Buzet, Amazon, Vianne.
St.-Peray, St.-Jean
Jurançon
Frontignan, and Lunel Mazet
Bagnols, Collioure,Rodez
Maccabeo of Salces
WINES OF THE THIRD CLASS.
Hautvilliers, Mareuil,Dizy, Pierry, Epernay,Taisy, Ludes, Chigny,Villers-Allerand,Cumières
Ricey, Avirey, Bagneuxla Fosse
Gevrey, Chassagne,Aloxe, Savigny sousBeaune, Blagny, Santenay,Chenôve
Clarion, Bonvin
Fleury, Romanèche,Chapelle, Guinchay
Chantergues, Montjuset.
Crozes, Mercurol,Gervant
Seyssuel, Revantin
Pouillac, Margaux,Pessac, St.-Estèphe,St.-Julien, Castelnau deMédoc, Cantenac, Talence,Merignac, Canon
Farcies, Terrasse,Campreal
Cape Breton, Soustons
Chuzelan, Travel,St.-Genies, Virac,Ledenon,St.-Laurent-des-Arbres
Chateauneuf
Riceys
Rougeot de Meursalt
Vaumorillon, Grises,Valmure, Grenouille,Vaudesir, Bourgereau,Mont de Milieu etChablis
Pouilly and Fuissé
Etoile Quintignil
Pujols, Ilats, Landiras,Virelade, St.-Croix duMont, Loupiac
St.-Michel sous Condrieu
Frontignan and Lunel
Vins de Picardan ofMarseillan and Pommerols.Vins de Calabria, deMalaga
Roquevaire, Cassis,CiotâtVins Cuits
The above are the three first classes of French wines, including all which are commonly exported; there are, according to the best authorities, six classes of red, seven of white, and four ofvins de liqueur. In these (exclusive of the list above comprising the choicest kinds), there are two hundred and forty-three white, ninevins de liqueur, and four hundred and sixty-three red wines classed, commencing with the fourth. The wines of Champagne descend six degrees in class and quality, hence the importance of ascertaining the proper class by those who purchase them.
The annexed tabular statement exhibits the variation of temperature in the shade, direction of the wind, and state of the atmosphere, for each day, from February the fourth, 1840, to January the thirty first, 1841, as carefully noted, and registered, atTours, twice per diem; namely, at 9 o'clock in the morning, and 12 o'clock at noon.