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s distinctions； which exclude them from the honours and privileges due to their importance in the commonwealth； and all the parliaments； or tribunals of justice in the kingdom； seem bent upon asserting their rights and independence in the face of the king's prerogative； and even at the expence of his power and authority。 Should any prince therefore be seduced by evil counsellors； or misled by his own bigotry； to take some arbitrary step； that may be extremely disagreeable to all those communities； without having spirit to exert the violence of his power for the support of his measures； he will become equally detested and despised； and the influence of the commons will insensibly encroach upon the pretensions of the crown。 But if in the time of a minority； the power of the government should be divided among different competitors for the regency； the parliaments and people will find it still more easy to acquire and ascertain the liberty at which they aspire； because they will have the balance of power in their hands； and be able to make either scale preponderate。 I could say a great deal more upon this subject； and I have some remarks to make relating to the methods which might be taken in the case of a fresh rupture with France； for making a vigorous impression on that kingdom。 But these I in list defer till another occasion； having neither room nor leisure at present to add any thing； but that I am； with great truth；Dear Sir； Your very humble Servant。
LETTER XXXVII
NICE； April 2； 1765。
DEAR DOCTOR；As I have now passed a second winter at Nice I think myself qualified to make some further remarks on this climate。 During the heats of last summer； I flattered myself with the prospect of the fine weather I should enjoy in the winter； but neither I； nor any person in this country； could foresee the rainy weather that prevailed from the middle of November； till the twentieth of March。 In this short period of four months； we have had fifty…six days of rain； which I take to be a greater quantity than generally falls during the six worst months of the year in the county of Middlesex； especially as it was； for the most part； a heavy； continued rain。 The south winds generally predominate in the wet season at Nice： but this winter the rain was accompanied with every wind that blows； except the south； though the most frequent were those that came from the east and north quarters。 Notwithstanding these great rains； such as were never known before at Nice in the memory of man； the intermediate days of fair weather were delightful； and the ground seemed perfectly dry。 The air itself was perfectly free from moisture。 Though I live upon a ground floor； surrounded on three sides by a garden； I could not perceive the least damp； either on the floors； or the furniture； neither was I much incommoded by the asthma； which used always to harass me most in wet weather。 In a word； I passed the winter here much more comfortably than I expected。 About the vernal equinox； however； I caught a violent cold； which was attended with a difficulty of breathing； and as the sun advances towards the tropic； I find myself still more subject to rheums。 As the heat increases； the humours of the body are rarefied； and； of consequence； the pores of the skin are opened； while the east wind sweeping over the Alps and Apennines； covered with snow； continues surprisingly sharp and penetrating。 Even the people of the country； who enjoy good health； are afraid of exposing themselves to the air at this season； the intemperature of which may last till the middle of May； when all the snow on the mountains will probably be melted： then the air will become mild and balmy； till； in the progress of summer； it grows disagreeably hot； and the strong evaporation from the sea makes it so saline； as to be unhealthy for those who have a scorbutical habit。 When the sea…breeze is high； this evaporation is so great as to cover the surface of the body with a kind of volatile brine； as I plainly perceived last summer。 I am more and more convinced that this climate is unfavourable for the scurvy。 Were I obliged to pass my life in it； I would endeavour to find a country retreat among the mountains； at some distance from the sea； where I might enjoy a cool air； free from this impregnation； unmolested by those flies； gnats； and other vermin which render the lower parts almost uninhabitable。 To this place I would retire in the month of June； and there continue till the beginning of October； when I would return to my habitation in Nice； where the winter is remarkably mild and agreeable。 In March and April however； I would not advise a valetudinarian to go forth； without taking precaution against the cold。 An agreeable summer retreat may be found on the other side of the Var； at； or near the town of Grasse； which is pleasantly situated on the ascent of a hill in Provence； about seven English miles from Nice。 This place is famous for its pomatum； gloves； wash…balls； perfumes； and toilette…boxes； lined with bergamot。 I am told it affords good lodging； and is well supplied with provisions。
We are now preparing for our journey to England； from the exercise of which I promise myself much benefit： a journey extremely agreeable； not only on that account； but also because it will restore me to the company of my friends； and remove me from a place where I leave nothing but the air which I can possibly regret。
The only friendships I have contracted at Nice are with strangers； who； like myself； only sojourn here for a season。 I now find by experience； it is great folly to buy furniture； unless one is resolved to settle here for some years。 The Nissards assured me； with great confidence； that I should always be able to sell it for a very little loss； whereas I find myself obliged to part with it for about one…third of what it cost。 I have sent for a coach to Aix； and as soon as it arrives； shall take my departure； so that the next letter you receive from me will be dated at some place on the road。 I purpose to take Antibes； Toulon； Marseilles； Aix； Avignon； and Orange； in my way： places which I have not yet seen； and where； perhaps； I shall find something for your amusement； which will always be a consideration of some weight with；Dear Sir； Yours。
LETTER XXXVIII
To DR。 S AT NICE
TURIN； March 18； 1765。
DEAR SIR；Turin is about thirty leagues from Nice； the greater part of the way lying over frightful mountains covered with snow。 The difficulty of the road； however； reaches no farther than Coni； from whence there is an open highway through a fine plain country； as far as the capital of Piedmont； and the traveller is accommodated with chaise and horses to proceed either post； or by cambiatura； as in other parts of Italy。 There are only two ways of performing the journey over the mountains from Nice； one is to ride a mule…back； and the other to be carried in a chair。 The former I chose； and set out with my servant on the seventh day of February at two in the afternoon。 I was hardly clear of Nice； when it began to rain so hard that in less than an hour the mud was half a foot deep in many