F
I
ìfi.iI
I
I-
30
St. Francis de Sales laboured very successfully
to reform the church discipline in
liis diocese, and his labours were not lost ;
for if the curés of Savoy preserve more
primitive simplicity, and have more real
concern for the welfare of their flocks,
than are to be found among the priests of
other catholic countries, I am inclmed to
believe it may be principally attributed to
the example and influence of St. Francis
de Sales.
He was also an ardent patron of literature,
and jointly with his friend Antonine
Favre, established at Annecy, in 1607, the
first literary academy in Savoy for the
belles lettres and philosophy, called 1’Aca-
damie Floriraontane.
In 1549 Fustatius Chapuis founded a college
at Annecy, which was at one time the
most flourishing college in Savoy. It was
here that Rosseau was placed to be quali-
fled for the priesthood, but he informs us
that he was found incompetent, and was
dismissed.
The first public library in Savoy was
established at Annecy, in 1747, by a
canon of the cathedral, Nicholas Dumase,
who enriched it by the bequest of his own
if
5
collection of books. The library has since
been augmented by other similar donations.
The northern end of the lake of Annecy
is the least interesting, terminating in a
flat plain or marsh. There are two short
channels, called Thioux, by which the lake
discharges itself into the river Sier ; this
river falls into the Rhone at Seissel. These
channels have been formed or deepened
by art.
Our road to Chateau Duing passed along
the western side of the lake ; it is the main
road from Annecy to L ’FIopital, in the valley
of Isere. A mountain of moderate elevation
ranges along like a wall, for several miles,
not far from the side of the road, and by its
straight unvaried outline, gives too much
formality to the scenery. After a drive of
nearly two hours, we discovered the chateau
placed on a promontory or island, with the
Dent D’Alençon towering up behind it. At
first we were rather disappointed, as the
lake appeared to terminate here, and seemed
smaller and less varied than we had expected;
but we soon found, on entering the
chateau, that the most beautiful part o fth e
lake, and the magnificent amphitheatre of
i '
ir''
' <tl
li.