a
While, m groupes, these happy people were forming their parties, and fixing on
their different pursuits, each eountenance seemed elated, and pea« and harmony prevailed
through the whole. As we were walking, with observant eyes, intermingling
with the various parties, composing a seene which filled my heart with the most pleasing
sensations, I perceived two men and a young woman at some distance, conversing with
great animation, and pointing to a particular spot. I immediately hastened to them,
fearing that some accident had recently happened. In this I was mistaken. My
curiosity, however, having been excited. I. as civilly as I could, requested to be made
acquainted with the subject of their observation and discourse. The, instantly complied
; - t h e „ . pointing to a large red spot, easily discernible on that side of the mountain,
the elder told me, with strong marks of emotion, that what I saw were the marks
of blood i that an unfortunate couple had there perished on their wedding-day, some
years back; that, being married on one of the annual meetings, they had purposed,
with their fends, to spend that day on the mountain, that, while they were variously
engaged, the bride and bridegroom, amusing themselves by walking on the edge of the
wide terrace which crowns the Dole, had, as is too much the custom with the young
people of the present day, challenged each other which could venture the nearest to
the brink,.-o„ which her foot slipping, and he unable to restrain her. they were both
hu„ied down a precipice seven hundred feet deep, and thus in a„ instant lost lives
which might be said scarcely to have been begun, since the day which to them appeared
the first of their most happy existence consigned them to one and the same
grave. What a subject for pity and reHexion !
From Nyon, I continued my journey to RoUe. a town which bears the title of a barony,
agreeably situated likewise near the lake, and which, from being well built, is much
resorted to by strangers, on account of its mineral springs and delightful romantic
walks : - t h i s . added to good society, formed of many genteel and opulent famihes in
the neighbourhood, makes it a desirable spot for persons of moderate income i and
must, from its situation, and the number of elegant villas scattered about its vicinity,
bring to the Enghsh traveler's recollection the villa-decorated banks of the Thames.
It is likewise noted for the famous hill of la CSle, which produces a most excellent and
esteemed white wine, in taste very like hock.
This hill, which stretches towards Merges, is entirely covered with vines to an
e a e n t of twelve miles, from the river Ptomontouse to that of Anbonne, so that the