P O N T D U G A R D ,
O R A A U E D U C T O F L A N G U E D O C .
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THE fentiments of admiration and aftoniihment, which every intelligent traveller MUFT
naturally experience at a fight of the majeflic and beautiful remains of Roman edifices itill
exifting in the city of Nifmes, will doubtlefs be greatly increafed on approaching the
curious monument which forms the fubjedt of the prefent defcription.
This wonderful work, which is called Pont du Card, or Pons Gardonis, is a noble
fpecimen of the magnificence of the ancients, both as to the beauty and elegance of its defign,
as well as the boldnefs of execution.
That the whole ihould be fo perfeitly preferred is truly wonderful; and that it ftill
exhibits all its original fplendour and folidity, will appear e%-ident from the annexed View,
which is an exaift reprefentation of its prefent flate. It is fituated in a moft romantic and
folitary fpot, about ten miles north eaft of Nifmes, over the river Gardon, and in the middle
between the villages of Remoulin and St. Prevot.
This fuperb building is, properly fpeaking, only a part of the beautiful aquedudts
which conveycd to this city ftreams of pure water from the fountains of Eure and Airain,
which extended near thirty miles in length. The water, tlms conveyed near the capital,
was depoiited in refervoirs, and from thence carried on, by means of fmaller aquedudts or
pipes, to diifcrcnt parts of tlie city, as well as to the Arena of the Colofl«um, for the
reprefentation of naval engagements; a fcene which is fuppofed to have been frequently
exhibited in that noble edifice.
On a i-etrofpeftivc view of the wonderful tmdertaking of ihe Pont du Gaid, with that
of its expencc, the time and workihanihip, befides tliofe of many others fimilar to this, and
even ftill more extenfive (fuch as the Roman aquedudts, many of the remains of which arc
ftill extant, viz. that of Spoleto in Umbria, Bays near Naples, Frejiis in Provence, that of
Lyons, now Villc AfFranchie, and others equally magnificent; comprehending alfo their
principal roads, fuch as the Via Apia, Via Flaminia, Via Aui-elianna, &c. all of which
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