PREFACE.

THE non-existence of any Guide-book to Mentone, or of any history of Monaco and its neighbourhood, except the small summary of Monsieur Rendu, has induced the author to publish the following notes, descriptive of five months spent at Mentone, from November, 1860, to May, 1861.

The accounts of the excursions are derived from personal experience. The many local traditions and histories which have been added, are due to the assistance of the Mentonese residents, whose ready kindness and sympathy in any undertaking, cannot fail to impress every stranger who visits them.

The materials for the History of Monaco, have been drawn partly from the admirable pamphlet of Dr. Bottini, on "L'Annexation," and partly from the manuscript collections formed by the late Colonel Trenca, and extracted from the archives at Turin.