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received being all contradictory. This may
appear extraordinary, as the confines of the
two countries are so near Geneva. No tax,
however, was levied on the char, thougli
our voiturier was in constant fear of it in
every large town through which we passed.
The road from Geneva to Lyons runs
nearly north for about nine miles to St.
Genix, at the feet ot the Jura, and then
turns westward, keeping close to that range
till it is met by the Vouache, which, run-
nins northwards from the O Saleve, forms the
western barrier of the valley or basin of the
Lake of Geneva. It was one o f the most
beautiful mornings I ever beheld ; the atmosphere
was uncommonly transparent;
and Mont Blanc and the Aguilles of Chamouny
were brilliant with light, while the
sky over the Jura was so intensely blue,
that the eye seemed to penetrate far into
the immeasurable realms of space. The
trees and shrubs, in the beautiful valley
through which we were passing, were bursting
into leaf : the air was balmy and invigorating
; and all nature was clothed in her
most enlivening dress, as if to increase our
regret at leaving scenes which had afibrded
us so much pleasure. When the road
g e n e v a TO C O L L O N G E S . 257
turned to the west, the Great Saleve ranged
parallel with it on the opposite, or south
side of the valley, running in one unvaried
outline for several miles ; but it had a very
singular appearance, for the summit of
Mont Blanc was seen over it, and resembled
a heap of snow lying upon it, and would
have been mistaken for a part of the Saleve,
by any one who had seen it from
hence the first time. As we travelled westward,
this mass of snow appeared to glide
along the summit of the Saleve. Nothing
can more strongly impress the mind with
the vast altitude of Mont Blanc, than to
see it tower over a mountain 3000 feet
high, which is nearer to the spectator, when
we know that its true position is fifty miles
behind it.
Approaching Collonges, the mountains
round the Lake of Annecy became conspicuous,
and revived many agreeable reminiscences.
Collonges is considerably
elevated above the bed of the Rhone ; here
we stopped two hours to dine and rest our
horse. I enquired respecting the effect of
the late earthquake, February 19, which I
found had been more severely lelt here
than at Geneva. The landlady told me
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