The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-08-22
Miscellaneous.
Clara Ray m on d,
Translated from The French Of Charlotte du Sor
for the Boston Htlas.

er forgotten her
/ arrived al Geneva in the Of the summer
of 1925. At that time my declining health rendered
the enioyments and distractions Of the world fatsuing
TO me, and made me feel the want of rest and soil
tude. l begged the friends with whom l had been
travelling TO leave me without anxiety about me, TO
be happy in my own way in the little house had
hired, outside the city, while they, gay birds of pas
sage, few with spread wings over Switzerland in
quest Of adventures.
This house was situated at Secheron about twenty
miles from Geneva; side il looked out upon
the lake, the other upon the surrounding country
accustomed the retired life Of an invalid, seate
my balcony under canvass awning, ] passed my
time in contemplating the magnifcence that Surround
ed me.
And first at my feet was the beautiful lake with
its blue and nndua!ing waters, cnliyened by elegant
and swift streamers, which they glded on, signal
lied their passage by the meodious accents Of sweet
music; ploughed by light vessels, and pretty boats
dressed in thousand gay coors and filled with joy
full passengers.
Before me, like an airy decoration, appeared the
palace Diodatt, whose graceful and fantastic arch-
lecture seemed mrrored the transparent waters of
the lake which served its pedestal. Close by
the hills Of Saleva, which rise jestically the
Geneva. Farther oil, along the right hand Shore the
dim and fading mountains; above them the blue sky;
and. beyond it the gigantic Mont Blanc, with its etor-
nal SHOWS, its splendid peaks, sometimes capricious-
y hidden and then mnjesticalIy displayed Oh! what
dreamer was 7, among these great pages of Natures
book.
What are wei what are our sorrows, our joys,
in the presence of the immensely of creation'
Is the voyage of life SO long TINT we unable to
bear the fatigues ofthe route? Without perccivng
it gave way to tho charms of revere; | was re-
signed to the EARTH
For three weeks that had dwet in the house, or
rather on my beautiful lake, which never ceased to
admire, had not thought of seeing what passed in
the country round about One morning, howev-
err, determined on exploring my neghborhood, and
in the midst Of few houses thiny scattered here and
there, in picturesque landscape, directly in
front of me little cottage, the singular form of which
attracted my attention. 1t in fact chalet, but
had not before it with its projecting roof its cir
cuar balcony and its little steps OH the outside
The walls were newly rough-cast; beautiful climb
ing vines formed festoons around tho windows, the
glass Of which, in its metal sashcs, was bright and
clean; little garden carefully attended, bordered by
n hedge of wild cgantines, surrounded the modest
habitation. II the abode Of wealth, nor yet
of poverty. 1t seemed 10 me that could pass my
life there, without sigh for the world false, so
selfish, noisy, whose contact takes from us every
hour something of the pure and beautiful illusions of
youth.
Ny imagination created repose, meditation, study,
unknown joys, beneath that humble roof.
In my idIeness became strangely philosophical, |
forgot that education, tastes, the deicacy of
habits create other wants. and at the thought Of
them, laughed at my pastoral enthusiasm, which
made me dream of unclouded happiness in the hum
bic chalet The reality of my reflections destroyed
the charm. 1t no longer appeared under aspect
so enchanting, yet my eyes were fixed upon it and
could not avert them.
In an open space Of level ground little boy came
and went occupied with domestic cares while young
girl was sewing silently, seated near the door, her
feet lightly resting fine mountain dog lying down
before her. Her dress, though simple, of the
pcasanry, although like them, she her long and
silken yellow hair parted in two brads tied at the
ends with black ribbons.
An old man, with dark complexion and strongly
marked features, clothed in blue frocl coat button
ed, was leaning on table the window; he
smoked slowly pipe, the bowl OF which was oil box
wood, representing head covered with three
nered hat
The smoker did not leave his favorite occupation,
except occasionally TO cast sorrowful look upon the
young GIRL who, with her head inclined upon her boz
som, had let fall upon her knees the work which she
still held in her hand Nor did the have the air,
or the appearance of peasant When he had done
smoking he cleaned out his pipe, looked at it
time with singular expression, and then carefully
put it into the side pocket of his frock coat. It
seemed like old friend, which he guarded with de-
light
At length he quilted his place and approached the
young girl bending down towards her, he imprinted
kiss upon her forehead. She raised her head with
a smile. Her face PALE very pale! Some words
were exchanged between them; she seemed TO rise
with an effort, and placing her in that Of the
man, they went out into the garden
All! cried l. he has lost an arm, the poor man! A
lew moments afterwards the little rosy and roguish
boy ran after them he held in hand the tether Of
goat, and in the other cup. The hold the
goat by the horns the child began TO milk it, and