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philauthropift, is the building erefted by his particular orders, called Bagnes, for the relief
of the ilaves condemned by the feverity of their laws to perpetual punilhment on board
the gallies: thofe miferable beings, often more to be pitied than really culpable, iince even
the felling of a pound of fait, without the permillion of government, was a fufficient offence
to fend hither the father of a family. In tlus afylum they were allowed to remain
when either attacked by illaefe, or rendered incapable of working upon the various improvements
of the harbour; bemg permitted to follow, for their own benefit, their refpedlive
occupations, after paying a trifling gratification to their infpe<Sor for this indulgence
; and there have been fi-equeat examples of fome who have earned a fufficiency even
to aflilt their miferable families.
CANAL OF ORGON.
THE fmall TOWTI of Orgon, feated not far diftant from the banks of the river Durance, or
Dnientia, which here feparates the Comtat Venaifin from Provence, has gained fome repute
from a moft-curious and well executed Canal, hewn th.rough a lofty mountain, from
whence it takes its name^ and on which are feen the remains of a ftrong caftle, intended
for the defence of the town.
The cnU-ance of the Canal is formed by a fubterraneous vault, excavated in many places
through the main rock, of about a mile in extent.
It was begun in the reign of Lewis the Fifteenth by the etats of Provence, and tlie encouragement
of that fovereign; and was continued with tlie fame alacrity by Lewis the
Sixteenth till 1788.
Its utility does not at firft fight appear fo confpicuous as it is in reality; yet on a clearer
invelligation, with the afliftancc of a map of the country, it is eafy to perceive its confequence;
for, befides opening a communication between the cities of Aix and Avignon, and
the lower part of Provence, it tends to enrich and fertilize an exteniive traft of coiontay
whidi would otherwifc remain barren and imcultivated, in confequence of the intenfc heat
which prevails for the fpace of four months.
The river Durance being fonned by the Avalangcs and melting of the ihow, the watcre
of which, particularly in the montlis of May and June, pour down in ton'ents from the
fummit of the Alps, it is not therefore lufceptible of the like ad^-antages. Indeed tlie vaft
fwcU of its waters here, combined with the u-regularity of its courfe, occaiion frequent
overflowings of the country, and often caufe immenfe damage to the provinces of Avignon
and Provcncc. From hence originated the idea of planning tlie above-mentioned undertaking,
which has fince been in fome meafure fo well executed (for it is not as yet entkely
finifticd); but ihould tliis great work ever be completed, it will be of the moil eflential
fervicc to that part of the coimtry.
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