M.:i
l|'di|l j V il.:. Ill :?t:
I VIENNE IN DAUPHINY.
BEFORE we fpeak of the antiquities and origin of this city, anciently called Vienna Allobrogum,
it may not be unacceptable to defcribe the road which leads to it, as it pafles'
through a moft beautiful and romantic country.
F r om Orange, the town mentioned in the preceding defcription, the road to Vienne
lies in a northern direftion, nearly along the fide of the river, and acrofs an extenfive
valley, apparently formed by the current of the Khone.
Travellers therefore intending to go to Lyons , and taking Vienne in their way, proceed
till they get to the Pont St. Efprit, which feparates the provinces of Languedoc and
D a u p h i n y ; they will then join the high road to Vienne and Lyons, leaving the fmall
town of St. Efprit on the left hand; which is iituated in Languedoc, and has a citadel,
but poiTeffes nothing remarkable to attraft a ftranger's attention.
A s to the bridge however, tliere is fomething both Angular and curious i n its conftmction.
It is not built in a ftraight line acrofs the Rhone, i>ut fomewhat curved, the convexity
being oppofed to the current of the ftream. This bend has doubtlefs been calculated
for the better refiiling the great preffure of the water, which in this place is fo pailicularly
rapid, that there have been inJJances of boats being overfet and loft.
T h e rapidity of this river may in a great meafure be owing to its being confined within
fteep banks on each fide, formed almoft through its whol e courfe by a doubl e chain of
mountains, which rife with an abrupt afcent. Thefe mountains, being covered with
vineyards, interfperfed witli houfes, chapels, convents, &c. prefent a mof t delightful landfcape.
T h e length of the bridge is about eight himdred and ninety yards, and the width
(which is certainly not in proportion to its extent) only fix. It is compofed of twentyf
i x arches, viz. nineteen large, and feven fmall ones.
Montelimart, or Montcl Ademar, is the next town, which lies on the road from Le
Pont St. Efprit to Vienne, and takes its name from its ancient fovercigns. It is not exten