mountains, by the effect of inlernal commotions, which have at various epochas affected
most parts of the Alps.
From hence we continued descending for at least three-quarters of an hour, and
gained, to our great satisfaction, the plain where stands the hospice, or hospital, {more
deservedly termed asylum for the relief of travelers,) into which we were kindly received.
But, making a short stay, we proceeded three miles farther; and then, ascending
for a quarter of a mile, reached Fontana, one of the first villages in the Valley of Livenen,
now belonging to the canton of Uri, which sends hither, every four years, a bailiff,
charged with the sovereign jurisdiction of the country, both civil and criniina!.
The inhabitants of this valley, who may be deemed the descendants of the ancient
or original Lepontians or Lepontii, have for a long time been hardly dealt with by their
sovereigns, and often have they tried to shake off" the yoke of servitude,—but in vain.
The canton of Uri, aided by the other Swiss cantons, entirely subdued them in 1755,
disarmed and deprived them of their ancient privileges, which had been conferred by
Sforza, duke of Milan, whose subjects they were till H^ll. At no considerable distance
from Fontana, I found myself on the banks of the Tesino, a river whose waters flow
impetuously in a deep channel, and from hence only could I date what may properly
be deemed the asccnt of St. Gothard ; for, had I been desir.ous of going to Italy, I must
have turned o£f nearly contiguous Co the hospice, and taken the road to Bellinzone, a
pretty little town near the Lake of Locarno, or Majore, and then to the Boiromee
Islands and Milan; but, as my plan was to make the tour of St. Gothard, and then
return to Munster from hence, I took a northern direction, and arrived, after six miles
laborious ascent, (though the road is in some places tolerably wide and good,) at Airoloj
one of the largest towns in the Valley of Liveneh, or ValUs Lepontina, which is populous,
rich, and commercial, though six thousand two hundred and twenty feet
above the level of the sea. The circumstance of its being commercial must in
great measure be attributed to its situation, standing as it does on one of the most
frequented passes of the Alps, and in fact the chief road from Italy to Germany, as the
exports and imports across this mountain fully demonstrate, there not being less than
twelve hundred mules or horses employed to and fro the whole year.
Being fatigued with my day's journey, I lay at Airolo, where there is an excellent
inn, and amused myself, in the evening, with examining the mountains most contiguous
to the town, which in general appeared of micaceous quartz, containing, in many
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