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 Chateaux of Touraine 55

Mettray Colony 73

Remarks on society at Tours 81

Botany of Touraine 88

Information respecting the gro