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heard, added to the shrieks of birds of prey, which constantly hover over these savage scenes, contributed not a little to add to the thrilling awe which always accompanies the contemplation of nature in her sublime and magnificent

scenery.

"Do you know, Edward, that there is a very curious species of marble found in this mountain. It is elastic." "Elastic!" ejaculated Edward

"Yes," replied the Doctor," and this marble is also found in some parts of Italy, particularly at Mondragone. The Abbé Fortis has given a curious account of five or six tables of this elastic marble, in the possession of the Prince Borghese. These slabs if placed endways bend backwards and forwards; when laid horizontally and raised at one end, they form a curve; if placed on a flat surface with a piece of wood laying in the middle of it, they fall also into a curve, the two ends resting on the table. This marble, of the Carranese kind, takes the finest polish but is liable to be broken if indiscreetly handled."

SECTION III.

JOURNEY THROUGH SWITZERLAND.

In the neighbourhood of St. Gothard are three petty villages, where there is so little wood, that the inhabitants use for fuel a wild rose wood, which grows thick and low upon the ground, and has an odoriferous smell. The cattle in this part of the country are very beautiful, and they are annually exported in large numbers to Italy and Germany. Great quantities of cheese, which is most delicious, are made in this canton, particularly in the vallies. They are sometimes half a yard thick, and not more in circumference. The simplicity of the inhabitants is very conspicuous; they are indeed a most inoffensive race, and never impose upon travellers. They read a great deal, have an uncommon share of curiosity about other countries, particularly England, in which they appear to take a peculiar interest.

From Mont St. Gothard, they crossed that prodigious chain of Alps, called the Furca, which divide the ancient La

[graphic][graphic][merged small]

Valais, now called the Simplon, from Uri. In these mountains the rapid Rhone rises, issuing from the foot of these glaciers; it rushes in the most sublime manner from steep to steep, till reaching the foot of the mountain, it rolls its majestic waves through a beautiful and extensive valley, from whence it proceeds to the lake of Geneva, where its stream is still distinguished by its impetuosity, from the calm waters of the lake.

A chain of lofty mountains, which divide the Simplon from Berne, forms a sublime boundary to the valley north of the Rhone.

Having followed the course of this majestic river as nearly as they could, they at length arrived at Monges, from whence a bridge of a single arch is thrown across the river. "I think, Sir," said Edward," that the Pont`du Diable, in the canton of Uri, must yield in grandeur and terrific effect to this. Why it is almost surrounded by rushing torrents." "Not surrounded," interrupted the doctor

"But,” replied his pupil," they really do descend from so many different quarters, that I cannot tell how to describe them."

DR. WALKER.- -" Then let it alone, for a description, unless it is clear, is of all things the most incomprehensible." The bridge as they crossed it, trembled beneath them, and Edward, after passing it, turned once more to view that scene which had so powerfully struck his imagination."Look, Sir, to the right. See how those rocks are piled one above the other.".

DR. WALKER.- "I should have said to the north, because then I could discover them in the map; and ward, look to the south, and observe the luxuriant scene of now, Ed. vegetation stretched before us. What a contrast!" Our travellers continued their journey along the southern banks of the Rhone, until they saw Saldes on the opposite side of the river. Here they crossed, and after one day's rest, they set off on their arduous task of passing Mount Gemmi, on their road to Berne. At the foot of this mountain there are particularly fine baths near the town of Luck, which was for a time buried beneath the snow, as before observed; these waters have performed surprising cures in nervous and rheumatic complaints. The mountains are so high in its neighbourhood, that it is dark at five oclock at the bath-house.

The Gemmi is composed of granite; the lower part of which is adorned with larches and firs. In various parts huge trunks of trees have been placed to form the road; in other places steps wide enough to set the foot in safety are cut in the solid rock, on the very edge of precipices three, four, or five hundred feet deep. After a dangerous, but as far as scenery was concerned, beautiful journey, they arrived in the neighbourhood of Mount Wimmis, at the foot of which is a castle which overlooks the lake of Thaun. They took up their abode for one night in a cottage in its neighbourhood. The next day they ascended this beautiful mountain, and in the evening arrived at the cottage of Chaley; from this spot the scene became more wild and barren. Our travellers arose before the sun on the following morning, in order to witness its splendour in these lofty regions, when they had approached near its summit, such a scene of splen dour burst upon them, as totally to defy all description.

Six beautiful lakes are seen from the tower, which is built on the top of Wimmis for the convenience of making observations, while the noble Aar, and its small tributary stream the Emme, wind through the vale below. On every side, at various distances, rise snow capt mountains, presenting alternately gloomy woods, and barren rocks, while round their base fresh and blooming flowers, together with the richest verdure, present a scene of such variety as scarcely to be imagined. The effect of the rising sun on such a variety of objects can only be supplied by the warm colouring of an ardent imagination. When they had descended the mountain, they proceeded to Thun, and arrived at that festive season of the year when the vintage was beginning. Dr. Walker and his pupil enjoyed the scene particularly, as the peasant girls dressed in their gayest cloaths, were busily em ployed in plucking the juicy grape ; they amused themselves with singing some of their favorite airs. Not the Ranz des vaches, for that is forbidden, the effect produced by that national air was so electric as to cause soldiers to desert if they heard it. At sun-set the girls return to their cottages, and the evening is generally concluded by a dance, in which both old and young partake to the sound of the "spirit stirring fife."

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