The mirror., 1923-01-04

reconstructed. CrOWlng tnlS long nlllOcK
with its gentle slopes is plateau inclined
toward the Jura mountains, the crest line
which fills the horizon.
This presents magnificent panorama
for a distance of over a mile along the
half of the township of Genthod bounded
on the north by the Versoix river and on
the south by road and crossed by the
Geneva-Bene railroad and the route to
Lausanne.
The most ancient of these estates, and
the most symmetrical, is the Creux de
Genthod. 1t was built by Ami Lullin,
theologian, professor and collector of rare
manuscripts. Blondel, the great French
architect, drew the plans. In 1928 he
planned the gardens and park. This house
became the property of the naturalist,
Horce Benedict de Saussure, who married
the granddaughter of Ami Lullin. De
Saussure's house adjoined that of his uncle,
Charles Bonnet. De Saussure, filled with
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"
(1779-17S6). His daughter, who became
Madame Necker de Saussure, grew up in
this delightful atmosphere. Charles Bon
net continued to carry out his study of
nature, and when he lost his sight gave up
his time to philosophical problems,
Strengthening his scholars belief in an
after life. Haller 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,
passionately interested in scientific culture
and Christian philosophy, became Euro
pean center in direct opposition to the one
at Ferney, where Voltarie derided the aus
tereness 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 connected 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
philosopher and writer.
The de Pourtales house was built about
1850 by Jean Louis Saladin, diplomat of
Geneva attached to the court of Louis XIV,
who as mark of appreciation gave him
his full-length portrait in oils The de
Saladin house is on a height and COM
mands wide view of the lake. 1t is to
be seen in the center of two broad avenues
with its simple gray front, its semicircular
cutbulidings, all magnifcently located.
Beyond the fields that slope gently are the
trees of the Creux de Genthod, the rare
species that Ami Lullin had collected at
a great cost, chestnuts that were brought
from Lyons in carts, immense vistas of
foliage, wonderful tree architecture in
folding the old French garden.
Along the walks where the two scholars
meditated, around that house of pure lines,
the meeting place of so many distinguished
men, breath of European thought seems
to float in this Genevan atmosphere, say
the enthusiasts. An intimate communion
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 it would seem impossible
to destroy this Incompatible harmony
certainly these homes and historical
grounds will remain as they are and the
rev buildings will be erected in and 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 men
toned in his "Commentares." 1t was early
the seat of bishopric 1t was one of the
co ni+o1c of the Ru-U,pdapS In tha s;xth