Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1919-09-11

uncle, Charles Bonnet. De|Saussure, filled with a
passionate love for the high Alps, the outline OF
which he gazed at every day, went exploring,
climbing Mont Blanc, writing his Voyages dams
les Alpes" (177917S6). His daughter, who be-
came Madame Necker de Saussure, grew up in this
delightful atmosphere. Charles Bonnet continued
to carry out his study Of nature, and when he lost
his sight gave up his time to philosophical prob
lens, Strengthening his scholars belief in an after
life. Halter used to come from Berne to work with
him. Learned men and scholars came from all
parts Of Europe to visit them.
In this way the small circle of Genthod, passion
ately interested in scientific culture and Christian
philosophy, became a European center in direct
opposition to the one at Ferney, where Voltaire
derided the austereness of Geneva and tried his
best to destroy it.
After the death of Charles Bonnet his property
returned to the de Rive family, which was connect
ed with Madame de Stael (1776-1S17). Her house
is near Genthod. and Corrinne came often on fine
summer days to sit on the terrace Of the philoso-
pher and writer.
The de Pourtales house was built about 1850 by
Jean Louis Saladin, a diplomat of Geneva attached
to the court Of Louis XIV, who as a mark of appre-
citation gave him his full-length portrait In oils.
The. de Saladin house is on q height and commands
q wide view Of the lake. It Is to be seen In the
center of two broad avenues with Its simple gray
front, Its semicircular outbuildings, all magnificent
ly located. Beyond the fields that slope gently are
the trees OF the Creux de Genthod, the rare spe-
cies that Ami Lulin had collected at a great cost,
chestnuts that were brought from Lyons In carts,
immense vistas Of foliage, wonderful tree archi-
lecture Unfolding the old French garden.
Along the walks where the two scholars medi-
tated, around that house Of pure lines, the meet
ing place of SO many distinguished men. a breath
of European thought seems to float In this Genevan
atmosphere, say the enthusiasts. An intimate COM
munion seems to unite all these grand and simple
homes to the grand old trees, the gentle distant
slopes behind which appear the Alps, the long,
clear stretch Of lake. To all this vista, at the same
time so big and SO complete that 1t would seem
impossible to destroy this Incompatible harmony
certainly these homes and historical grounds
will remain as they are and the new buildings will
be erected inland on the plateau.
Geneva Is an old, old city. Its origin is lost In
antiquity, but It was Of sufficient Importance In
Caesars time to be mentioned in his Com
mentares." 1t was early the seat of a b~ishopric.
II was one Of the capitals Of the Burgundians. In
the sixth century 1t passed to the Franks. In the
eleventh century It became Incorporated with the
German empire. About that time the temporal
was added to the spiritual power Of the bishops.
The dukes Of Savoy began to encroach on the
temporal power and at the same time the burghers
took q hand In affairs. The struggles between the
dukes Of Savoy and the citizens ended In favor Of