NICE, France.—Superbly situated on the shores of the Mediterranean is the City of Nice. In winter it is the rendezvous of invalids and others from all parts of Europe, who seek refuge here from the bleak and vigorous atmosphere of the North. The season begins with the races early in January, and closes with a great regatta at the beginning of April; but visitors abound from October until May. In summer the place is deserted.
MONACO.—This principality of Europe, French in language, but Italian in tradition, is located in the southern part of France, on the Mediterranean Sea. Its area is six square miles, and consists principally of the town of Monaco and its suburbs, which stand on a high promontory. Monaco has a fine palace, a new cathedral, a college, a noted casino, where gambling is licensed to pay with its profits the state expenses; it has also manufactories of spirits, fine pottery, bricks, perfumery, and objects of myth. The principality is now virtually under French control.
MONTE CARLO, France.—This place is a health-resort in winter and a sea-bathing place in summer; but the chief attraction to many is the "tapis vert" at the Casino. Monte Carlo belongs politically to the diminutive principality of Monaco; the former, as seen in the picture, is picturesquely situated on a small level at the foot of a high range of mountains, skirting the Mediterranean. The building to the left with turrets is the Casino. The population of the place is almost entirely transient.
GAMING HALL, Monte Carlo, France.—Every portion of the interior of the Casino, of which the gaming-rooms are a part, is luxuriously fitted up. The ceilings are elaborately frescoed, while the walls and niches are adorned with works of art. Admission to the above room is obtained free upon presentation of a visiting card at the office. The games in progress from 11 A. M. until 11 P. M., are generally roulette, and patronized by men and women of all ages and from all countries. For the student of human nature, the gambling halls present an excellent opportunity to study mankind.
MADRID, Spain.-General view. This city is finely situated on a wide plain of the Guadalquivir. It contains an abundance of wealth and power, and is famous for its oranges and women. The city is very old, its history dating back as far as 600. It is noted for being the birthplace of many distinguished Spaniards. Magellan, the famous navigator, sailed from here in 1519, to discover Magellan Strait. The winter season is very mild and pleasant, and there is not a day in the whole year in which the sun does not shine.
SEVILLE, Spain.—On the left bank of the Guadalquiver, in a level country as productive as a garden, stands the city of Seville. It is highly picturesque in its combination of buildings and with a river navigable to its very limits; it is astir with life and commerce. From the earliest time, this city has been the chief outlet for the wealth of Spain. In the poorer portions of the town, the open places are converted into market-stands, as seen above. Across the river, spanned by a bridge, is a Gypsy quarter of Triana.
BULL FIGHT, Seville, Spain.—This photograph represents the great bull-ring of the city, with a capacity for eighteen thousand people and crowded with spectators to witness the great national amusement. A general holiday prevails on such occasions. Every one, rich and poor, possessing a grain of taste for bloody scenes and striking spectacles, can be found in the Amphitheatre on such occasions. The show generally lasts for several hours, during which several bulls, more horses, and not unfrequently, men are killed in the combat.
TOLEDO, Spain.—This city is situated on a rocky height, forty-one miles south-west of Madrid; its climate is very cold in winter and hot in summer. The Cathedral of Toledo, the metropolitan church of Spain, founded in 587, is four hundred feet in length, and two hundred and four feet in width, with a lofty tower and spire. Toledo has long been famous for its manufactories of sword-blades, and great skill is still shown in tempering the m. It was taken by the Goths in 467, and by the Moors in 714; it was retained by the latter until 1085, when it was permanently annexed to the crown of Castile.
GIBRALTAR, Spain.—This remarkable fortress, which is a strongly fortified rock at the southern extremity of Spain, and forms the key to the Mediterranean, is connected with the continent by a low sandy isthmus, one and one-half miles long, and three-fourths of a mile wide. The highest point of the rock is about one thousand four hundred feet above the sea level. Vast sums of money and immense labor have been spent in fortifying this stronghold. The water for the supply of the town and garrison is collected during the rainy season, the roofs of the houses gathering all the falling rain.
LISBON, Portugal.—This interesting city is situated on the Tagus, near the Atlantic Ocean. The length of the city is four miles, and its breadth about two miles. Lisbon is nobly situated for commerce, and has the finest harbor in the world. The earthquake of 1755, traces of which are still visible, destroyed a considerable portion of it, and killed about sixty thousand of its inhabitants. This photograph is a correct representation of the better portion of the city and harbor.