The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1878-10-10
4 Glance at Won't Blanc.

One starts from Geneva ut about eight
o'clock in the morning. for Chamounix.
The diligence which conveys you is
rather an imposing affair, being liter
ally two stories high. OF course the
upper story is greatly preferred by the
healthy and fearless, who are willing to
brave mountain air, and who are not
troubled with vertigo at sight of preci-
pices The road is, in every particular,
a safe and easy one, at the same time,
there are points of grandeur along it
that seem terrible to the novice III Swiss
scenery. Leaving Geneva one almost
Immediately feels change in the at
mospLere. The land rises and becomes
mountainous, soft invigorating airs.
fresh from snow-clad landscapes, pene-
trate Your garments, and if the wind is
in vour face, the checks Jingle and the
ears ache, even IN the month Of August.
The suburbs of Geneva, which are
almost iuterminable, being passed, one
looks toward the southeast, determined
to catch the first glimpse Of the noun
tain Top which is the object of the Jour
uev. but for a long time looks il vain.
The horses are usually strong. and are
driven at rapid pace along the we'll
kept uacaiamizod roads. As one pro-
crosses. mountains are seen oA either
side. and if the dag be fine, their clear
~ iedned sides against the sky are
asjOu4suingly beautiful. and seemingly
only stone throw from the road.
when ia fact they are miles distant.
Generally, the diligence contains a
mixture Of French, English. Americans.
and Swiss. varied now and then by
Ge-4--u, who insists on smoking bad
tobacco. IN very dirty pocket meer-
9chauM. Sometimes the French and
Americans join him. and occasionally
an Englishman consents TO assist in
rendering the air as vile as bad smoke
elected from untidy mouths can make
it, On such occasions one instinctiyelv
wishes that lie had taken a private con
veyauce from Geneva to Chamounix
At other times along the route one is
thankful that the diligence has an
upper story, and that tie smokers are
there.
The country Is positively dotted over
with neat villas, and the eye never tires,
for there Is such infinite variety in the
landscape. At Chene, which is quite
a good sized village, situated upon the
Seine, the views become thoroughly
exciting. To the left, rise the Noirons.
On the right is seen calm Juras range.
and Mount Salere, than which few can
be lovelier. Then, crossing the stream
which divides the Canton of Geneva
from France, Anemasse IS reached. 1t
is quite a nice town. Just beyond Ane-
masse. the road continues up the val
ley of the Arye. \ firm high bridge
takes one over the Monog and passing
on TO Many, one feels 10th to leave il
and the half mythical ruins OF the
Chateau of Faucigny, which are perched
on cliff near by. But the hungry
passengers in the diligence vote ION to
Bonneville, and the horses dash away
along the road, until Bonneville is
reached.
1t is, happily, the friday of the fair
at the grand old town. The streets are
lined with booths. Long tables are
spread along in front of the houses,
on the tables are spread out
gaudy calico and coarse lace, finest EN-
broidery, and carved wood, wine, and
clay pipes, potatoes and mushrooms,
tinware. and alabaster figures of virgin
and saint, fruit and flowers. High up,
at the corners of the main street, is
erected a cross pole, it is literally
wreathed with rings of newly-bak