It is at least certain that these
baths were known to the Romans.--Ed.
Cauterets is frequently mentioned by the old authors, and
Rabelais refers to it in this passage: "Pantagruel's urine
was so hot that ever since that time it has not cooled, and
you have some of it in France, at divers places, at
Coderetz, Limous, Dast, Ballerue, Bourbonne, and
elsewhere"(Book ii. chap, xxxiii.).--M.
All the sick persons continued at the baths for more than three weeks,
until by the amendment in their condition they perceived that they might
return home again. But while they were preparing to do so, there fell
such extraordinary rains that it seemed as though God had forgotten the
promise He made to Noah never to destroy the world with water again; for
every cottage and every lodging in Cauterets was so flooded with water
that it was no longer possible to continue there. Those who had come
from the side of Spain returned thither across the mountains as best
they could, and such of them as knew whither the roads led fared best in
making their escape.
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