We returned to Tours, from whence, after nineteen weeks’ sojourn, we traveled toward the more southern part of France, minding now to shape my course so, as I might winter in Italy. With my friend, Mr. Thicknesse (See ante p14 –AD)), and our guide, we went the first day seven leagues to a castle called Chenonceau ((Chenonceaux has also memories of Diane de Poitiers and Louise de Lorraine, widow of Henry III. It escaped the Revolution, owing chiefly to the respect felt for the proprietress, Mme. Dupin, d. 1799, who here entertained Bolingbroke, Voltaire, and Rousseau. The Devin du Ullage of the last was first performed in its little theatre. –AD)), built by Catherine de Medicis, and now belonging to the Duke de Vendôme, standing on a bridge. In the gallery, among divers other excellent statues, is that of Scipio Africans ((A Roman general who defeated Hannibal in the Second Punic War. -GS)), of oriental alabaster.

“Le château de Chenonceaux sur le Cher, côté du levant ”. Artist unknown. 18th century.