e, and derives its
name from its thermal waters, which were much resorted to in the
fifteenth century, and then called _Calentes Baiae_.

The temperature of the springs vary from 167 deg. to 189 deg. Fah. The resident
poor turn this high temperature to many economical purposes, frequently
cooking their entire meals by the natural heat of the waters; an egg is
boiled hard by five minutes immersion.

The waters are extensively used by Curriers, Tanners, stuff and Flannel
manufacturers, etc, their alkaline principles being found peculiarly
adapted to many essential processes in these respective trades; to
coloured articles, they are considered to give brilliancy and permanence
to the dyes.

The _Belle Fontaine du Parc_, the highest in temperature of the spring,
contains muriate of Soda, carbonate of lime; carbonate of Iron, and
Silex.

These waters were held in high repute by the Romans and are particularly
mentioned by one of their historians; "Calentes nunc te Baiae, et scabris
cavernatim ructata pumicibus aqua sulfuris atque jecorosis ac
phthisiscentibus languidis medicabilis piscina delectat."

They have an _alterative_ or _deobstruent_ action, are therefore
applicable to a long catalogue of maladies arising from congestion and
obstructions of the abdominal viscera.

WARM ACIDULOUS AND GASEOUS WATERS,

VICHY.

Vichy is situated in the department of the Allier, 87 leagues from
Paris, fifteen from Moulins and thirty two from Lyon, in a valley
surrounded by beautiful and fertile hills. The excellent roads which
lead to this town, the purity of the air, the comfort and amusement
which may be found in it combine to render it one of the most frequented
watering places in France.

Its mineral waters were known to the Romans, and vestiges of ancient
baths, coins etc. have frequently been found here. In the 14th
century a monastery of the order of Celestins was founded at Vichy by
Louis 2nd Duke of Bourbon, and in the following century, during the
wars of the Praguerie this town was beseiged by Charles the 7th, and
although fortified, taken by him in 1440.

Both Madame de Sevigne and the famous Flechier speak in the highest
terms of the charms of this delightful place and vie with each other in
its praise. It was visited in 1814 by the duchess of Angouleme, since
which it has rapidly risen into notice, and owing to the exertions of
the inhabitants to accommodate the numbers who now flock to these justly