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98 L H O P I T A L O N T H E I S E R E .
north bank of the Arlj, and nearly on a
level with tlie river. Havinii been burnt
down by the Austrians, the houses are
new, and the streets are wide and spacious.
It is a considerable thoroughfare, being
situated on the direct road from the district
of Beaufort, and the Tarantaise, to Chamberry
; and, also, from the latter place, and
from Annecy, to the new baths at Brida.
There is a temporary wooden bridge over
the river; but a fine stone bridge is now
building lower down, to facilitate the intercourse
with the Tarantaise, the old bridge
having been destroyed by the Austrians,
during a series of severe engagements,
while Savoy formed a part of the French
empire. Our landlord gave ns an account
of one of these rencounters between the
French and Austrians. The Austrians
were 8000 strong, and had possession of
Conflans, which is situated on an eminence
on the other side of the river. The French
force consisted of only 1500 picked men
of the 14th regiment of infantry. The
Austrians took possession of L ’Hopital
three times, the French retiring in order
to draw them into the plain, but as they
would not advance, the French returned,
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L H O P I T A L O N T H E I S E R E . 99
and drove them again over the bridge, on
which several severe struggles took place;
the combatants tossing each other into the
river. The French officers, however, finding
the enemy too numerous to be driven
out of Conflans, retired to Chamberry,
much against the inclinations of the soldiers,
who fought with the most determined
bravery. The Austrians lost 1800
m en ; and we were told that they evinced
as much cowardice during the combats, as
they did cruelty afterwards to the poor inhabitants
of L ’Hopital, which place they
destroyed by fire. Fifty of the Austrians
were buried in a part of the garden of our
inn. The people of Conflans are said to
have been jealous of the rising prosperity
of L ’Hopital, and to have endeavoured to
incense the Austrians against them. It is
melancholy to remark, how often the con-
tiguity of two towns gives rise to the most
deadly animosities between the subjects of
the same state, who have no better cause
for hatred, than that they live within striking
distance of each other, to use the language
of electricians.
After taking some refreshment, we
crossed the bridge to Conflans, while sup-
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