These ridiculous fortifications, preyed upon by ivy and crowned with wild gillyflowers, are about as high and as thick as the walls of a convent, and could be demolished by gunshot.

They have several openings, the principal of which, the Porte de Rome and the Grand'-Porte, afford access to the Nice road and the Lyons road, at the other end of town.

Until 1853 these openings were furnished with huge wooden two-leaved gates, arched at the top, and strengthened with bars of iron.

These gates were double-locked at eleven o'clock in summer, and ten o'clock in winter.

The town having thus shot its bolts like a timid girl, went quietly to sleep.