Monte Carlo lies to the north of the Bay of Monaco, where are gathered the various buildings of the Casino of Monte Carlo, with the beautiful gardens, and many villas and hotels.
The history of this little principality is an interesting one. It seems that long ago a temple of Heracles was built on the Monaco headland by the Phoenicians. The same god was worshiped there by the Greeks at a later date, and they gave the place its name. The Grimaldis, the present ruling family of Monaco, became associated with the place in the tenth century; but they did not come into permanent possession until much later.
Monaco in the fourteenth century was notorious for its piracies, and the right to exact toll from vessels passing the port continued to be exercised until the end of the eighteenth century.
For many years Monaco was an ally of France; but in 1525 it came under the protection of Spain. Then in 1641 Honoré II threw off the Spanish yoke and made himself an ally of France. The National Convention annexed the principality to France in 1793; but by the Treaty of Paris in 1814 it was restored to the Grimaldis. Finally in 1860 Monaco passed again under French protection.
The present ruler of Monaco, Prince Albert, was born in 1848 and succeeded his father, Prince Charles III, in 1889. The prince is absolute ruler, as there is no parliament in the principality. He appoints a small council to advise him on matters of state. He also has power to appoint the mayors and other municipal authorities.
COPYRIGHT, 1913, BY THE MENTOR ASSOCIATION, INC.
NICE, FRANCE
