Wintering at Mentone

Transcriber’s Note:
Footnotes have been repositioned to follow the paragraph where they are referenced.
The only textual issue of note is the repeated appearance of ‘at any rate’ as ‘at anyrate’.
WILLIAM CHAMBERS
UNDER THE OLIVE TREES
LONDON
W. & R. CHAMBERS, 47 PATERNOSTER ROW,
AND HIGH STREET, EDINBURGH
1870
With health impaired by a strain of three laborious years as Lord Provost of Edinburgh—and more particularly enfeebled by a malarious fever caught in the course of making explorations with a view to sanitary improvements in the older part of the city—I sought a restorative by a visit to Mentone (or Menton, as the French prefer to call it), in the winter of 1868-69. The object of my visit was gained; but having been so indiscreet as to enter on a new term of office, in the hope of helping to carry forward the city improvements, in which I might be excused for taking some special interest, my health again unfortunately suffered, for which and other reasons I resigned my post, and again proceeded to Mentone; this time making a longer sojourn, with corresponding advantage, in the winter of 1869–70. A result of these efforts to secure the benefits of sunshine along with perfect tranquillity on the shores of the Mediterranean, is the present small work, the preparation of which furnished a degree of amusement when far from home and accustomed pursuits. If it aid in directing attention to a subject of importance to many—the hygienic value of passing the winter in the south of France—I shall be satisfied. The book is of course non-medical, and will not supersede the necessity of consulting professional advisers.
W. C.
Glenormiston, May 1870 .