Footnotes have been repositioned to follow the paragraph where theyare referenced.
The only textual issue of note is the repeated appearance of ‘at any rate’as ‘at anyrate’.
WINTERING AT MENTONE
UNDER THE OLIVE TREES
PREFACE.
With health impaired by a strain of three laborious years asLord Provost of Edinburgh—and more particularly enfeebledby a malarious fever caught in the course of making explorationswith a view to sanitary improvements in the older part of thecity—I sought a restorative by a visit to Mentone (or Menton,as the French prefer to call it), in the winter of 1868-69. Theobject of my visit was gained; but having been so indiscreet asto enter on a new term of office, in the hope of helping to carryforward the city improvements, in which I might be excusedfor taking some special interest, my health again unfortunatelysuffered, for which and other reasons I resigned my post, andagain proceeded to Mentone; this time making a longer sojourn,with corresponding advantage, in the winter of 1869–70. A resultof these efforts to secure the benefits of sunshine along withperfect tranquillity on the shores of the Mediterranean, is thepresent small work, the preparation of which furnished a degreeof amusement when far from home and accustomed pursuits.If it aid in directing attention to a subject of importance tomany—the hygienic value of passing the winter in the southof France—I shall be satisfied. The book is of course non-medical,and will not supersede the necessity of consultingprofessional advisers.
Glenormiston, May 1870.
CHAPTER I.
When autumn has drawn to a close, and unmistakablesymptoms of winter are making theirappearance, the swallows are seen to wing theirway from England, and betake themselves to thesunny regions on the shores of the Mediterranean;thence returning to their northern haunts when natureis reviving under the genial influence of spring. Theexample set by these sagacious birds is not unworthy of beingfollowed when circumstances call for and permit an escapefrom the cold, the fogs, the rain, and sle