A Tour in Switzerland (Volume 1); Or, a View of the Present State of the Governments and Manners of Those Cantons - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos, missing text or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1798. Not illustrated. Excerpt: ... CHAP. XIX. »" History of an Emigrant Family. Our excursions, in the neigbourhood of Bellinzone, had more than the charms of new and sublime scenery to imprint them on my memory: a moral interest has impressed them on my heart. There accident led me to the dwelling of Madame C; and I cannot resist indulging myself by relating the incident, to which I owe the few short, but well-remembered hours, which were gilded by the charm of her society. I will not name the valley, where I found her, and by so doing expose her cottage to the profane gaze of curiosity: but without discovering her abode, I may safely describe its situation; since in that romantic country, how many cottages are placed, like hers, Vol. 1. T-: near near the steep bank of a torrent stream, surrounded by luxuriant vegetation,, veiled by festoons of vines, sheltered above by the hanging woods of fir and pine, and bounded far beyond by the bare rock, and the shining Glacier. In one of our rambles, at some distance from Bellinzone, we ascended a mountain, the summit of which, we were told, commanded aprospect that would repay us for the toil. The path, however, we found, riot merely steep, but so rugged, that before we had ascended half way, we were obliged to alight from our horses, and the evening being too far advanced to admit of our reaching the summit, and returning on foot,. we agreed to walk down the mountain, and take a ride along the valley. The gentle; men, who were with me, led their horses, our guide had charge of mine, and I followed them down the narrow stiadowy i path, path, sometimes loitering behind to gaze upon the wild and romantic character of the scene around me; sometimes pausing to catch the shifting lights amidst: the rude foliage, till I lost sight of my fellow travell...