This
Decay Of Commerce Is In A Great Measure Owing To The English,
Who, At The Peace, Poured In Such
A quantity of European
merchandize into Martinique and Guadalupe, that when the
merchants of Marseilles sent over their cargoes, they
Found the
markets overstocked, and were obliged to sell for a considerable
loss. Besides, the French colonists had such a stock of sugars,
coffee, and other commodities lying by them during the war, that
upon the first notice of peace, they shipped them off in great
quantities for Marseilles. I am told that the produce of the
islands is at present cheaper here than where it grows; and on
the other hand the merchandize of this country sells for less
money at Martinique than in Provence.
A single person, who travels in this country, may live at a
reasonable rate in these towns, by eating at the public
ordinaries: but I would advise all families that come hither to
make any stay, to take furnished lodgings as soon as they can:
for the expence of living at an hotel is enormous. I was obliged
to pay at Marseilles four livres a head for every meal, and half
that price for my servant, and was charged six livres a day
besides for the apartment, so that our daily expence, including
breakfast and a valet de place, amounted to two loui'dores. The
same imposition prevails all over the south of France, though it
is generally supposed to be the cheapest and most plentiful part
of the kingdom.
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