J. H. HOLDSWORTH, M. D.

TOURS,
A. AIGRE, rue Royale.

Messrs. CALIGNANIS, No 18, rue Vivienne, Paris;
Henry RENSHAW, No 356, Strand, London;
And all other Booksellers.

1842

«Thou, nature, art my Goddess; to thy law my services are bound.»
Shakspeare.

TO
LAWSON CAPE, M. D.
Lecturer at Saint-Thomas's Hospital
THIS SMALL VOLUME
IS INSCRIBED
As a slight testimony of friendship and esteem
BY THE
AUTHOR.

PREFACE.

The author of the present little volume in offering it to the public is sensible how crude and imperfect is its form. The haste with which from unavoidable circumstances, it has been composed and the difficulties he has had to contend with in printing it in a foreign country will, he trusts, be considered an excuse, however insufficient, for errors which would otherwise be unpardonable.

His object has been to convey information on subjects new to the generality of those who resort to France for the restoration of their health. In England, independent of the valetudinarian, not only the man of wealth and fashion, but the economist of time and means,—in these days of locomotive mania,—deem a visit to the continent almost indispensable; and in the majority of cases, after the resolution to take a trip abroad is formed the resolvent with a perfect indifference as to route or locality, becomes anxious to obtain information concerning such places as may in reality be most calculated to conduce to his health, pleasure, instruction or amusement,—either en route, or as a temporary place of residence.

Under a due consideration of these circumstances the author trusts having endeavoured to blend information with utility and amusement in so unpretending and general a form; he may be deemed to have accomplished the ends to which he has humbly aspired. And should his professional occupations at some future period, permit him to revise his work, he will render its style more worthy of the reader.

Tours, september 1842.

CONTENTS.

Page
Description of the scenery of Touraine[1]
Remarks on the climate of Touraine[8]
Beneficial effects of the climate considered[13]
Directions for invalid travellers[25]
Hydropathic treatment[32]
Wines of France[34]
Description of various routes to Tours[42]
Notices respecting Tours and its neighbourhood[49]
Sporting[54]
Ancient Châteaux of Touraine[55]
Mettray Colony[73]
Remarks on society at Tours[81]
Botany of Touraine[88]
Information respecting the growth and varieties of the vine[97]
Geology of Touraine[105]
Spas of France[123]
Spas of central France, their respective localities, medicinal virtues, diseases to which they are applicable, etc.[139]
Classification of French wines, places where grown, character, comparative qualities, etc., etc.[186]
Alcoholic strength of various wines and liquors[192]
Meteorological Register for Tours[194]
Reaumur's Thermometric scale turned into Fahrenheit's[208]
Appendix.—Passports, Cash, Coinage[209]
Useful information for travellers, etc., etc.[217]
Expense of living in France, etc.[230]

Lith. CLAREY-MARTINEAU. r de la harpe 16, TOURS.
VUE DE TOURS

MEMORANDA

OF