Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-01-13
NUMBER ".
GfNnA. Nov. ID. -.

were mostly gathered. Chalons Is finely stu-
ated on the river, but appears old and dirty
There are several hTcwones and bec-root sugar
manufactures in this place, and, from the rail-
road terminating here it has the appearance Of
doing considerable business Several steamers,
such as they arc sail daily for Lyons, situated
ninety miles below. On one Of these queer look
ing boats, measuring two hundred sevoniy-fvc
feet in length and but ten in width, took pas
sage, the principal accommodations consisting
of wooden benches on deck, without any prolcc
ton from sun or rain. And such is the only
class Of boats navigating this beautiful river. For
some distance the river winds through meadow
lands, having Ia the distance ranges Of bills
crowned with orchards and vineyards Every
few miles passed some old town, Wondering
with the age Of centuries, while the summit Of
many of the hills presented old castles. On APP
proaching Lyons the banks on either side Of the
river suddenly rise into high and bold precipices
at the foot and upon the sides Of which most cf
the city is built. 1t contains more than 100000
inhabitants, and is the greatest manufacturing
city in France. It's manufactures Of silk, WOOL
len and cotton arc extensive, but there are no
very large establishments. here are more than
five thousand hand looms constantly employed in
weaving silk goods of fall kinds, much of the raw
material being produced in the vicinity. M
nerous steamboats, depart daily, up and down
the river, and the wharvos denote place of OK
tansive business. The city itself presents few
objects 10 interest the stranger still its City
liall, lseuin, and Picture Gallery, viii wen
repay the time spent in visiting them.
From Lyons, ride Of eighty miles by dill
& nee, brought me to Geneva, in Saizorand.
This city is most delightfully."- situated at the on,
let of the lake of the same uame, contains pom
ii ition Of thirty thousand. and has long been
Il ted for its manufactures Of watches and Jew.
cry, which is the principal business Of the
p'ice 1t has at different times been The resi-.
i ice Of many men Of cmuonce. Rousseau
V ,lmire, and John Calvin resided here, and the
ebrated John Knox, the Rcformcr of Scot
loid, for a time found refuge in this FREQ couu-
try from be persecution OF bis enemies. Lake
g ieva is beautiful sheet Of water about fifty
mi rs in length and eight Ia width. It's shores
a., studded with villas and flnl-houscs, and tie
wi ch is almost the only article cultivated. The
vino, as cultivated here, docs not spread out in
Tia, usual manner, but is simply supported by 1
stale not more than four feet ia height, and is
am ially cut down within a foot the ground.
Mus leaving a stump from which year after
year shoot forth branches, producing the grapes
The scenery about the lake is very beautiful,
making hvorite place of resort during the | ;,
sun montlAA aud dla a,.aalleae hatal az TO-
ncya is still further inducement to the traveller
10 p.olong his stay
On leaving Geneva took steamer for lau- :
sanil, place of some little note on the north
side Of the lake, where | took diligence for
Nil, n. The route, for the first twenty miles,
was on the northern shore Of the lake thence
following up the Rhone, through Martgny,
Sion, and several other small old towns with mar
row streets and very high houses, arrived the 1
mex, day at BHeg, small hamlet at the foot of |
the Alps. As | approached the mountains il
seemed to inc that not only the trees and ycgo-
ttion, but the stature and capacity Of the nhab-
itgn's diminished. There ware many dwars
and liotic persons on the road side who seemed
but little more intelligent than the goats they
herd d. Every where upon the mouniansidcs,
where man could get Goot-hold were seen
small buildings erected to shelter their herds.
For twenty or thirty miles before arriving at
Breg had seen the snow-clad mountains loom
ing upwards in the distance, but on arriving at
this own made a sudden turn from the river
and commenced the ascent OF the mountains
which seemed suspended almost our heads
The ascent was very gradual, and we pursued
our winding way, constantly approaching nearer
and nearer the regions of snow, until we sudden
" caught view Of the town we had len four
hours previously, lying apparently not a mile be-
low rs. We had now reached within two or
three hundred feet Of the regions of snow, and IN
every direction the SUBMITS were perfectly white,
presenting all the beauty Of hundreds Of spires
rising around Us. For another hour we pursued
our devious course, at times approaching liitle
nearer to the regions of snow, but without COM
ing into actual contact when we reached the
highcs poin; on the road, being G5g0 feet. Then
we stopped to gaze upon those mountains Of
SNOW, almost within our grasp, while we had
been enjoying cloudless sunshine with the
hltt+sohittci at ~ ttHfttH, liuliE comfortably
over dry and most excellent road. We had
been warned Of the difficulties and daupere of
crossing these mountains on the Simplon road
at so late period in the season, but we found
none. Six buildings have been erected by the
road side, TO afford shelter to such as may be
oyer'akcn by sudden storms in the winter aud
large llospice stands near the summit, from
which aid masbe obtained at al times. From
THE point commences the descent, which for ten
or twelve miles is very gradual, presenting no
Obstacles to milking good road, at which d.
tancs the road reaches the river Gonda, where
for the distance Of some three miles, 1t seemed
10 tie the main obstacles were met with IN CON
siFu;ting this road. feel it is impossible for
me 10 convey any adequate or definite idea oflhis
part Of the road. can only describe it by say
ing-lt seemed as though By some CONFUSION Of
nature the mountain had been rent asunder, last
WIDE enough for the river to pass and that the
skin Of man had grasped part Of this opening
10 form amghwuy. At one time we passed upon
tho summit Of wall raised 40 or 80 feet from
Tho channel Of the river, having on one side tie
river, on the other Perpendicular wall Again