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quantity of wine exported from Rolle and its environs is very considerable, and bnngs
large sums of money into the country. On leaving Rolle, I directed my course nine
miles further, to Morges itself, the last town before arriving at Lausanne. The road,
the whole way, continues delightful, and forms, if possible, a more picturesque and
varied scenery than from Nyon to Rolle, and is rendered extremely beautiful by a
variety of charming villas, small villages, and rural hamlets, promiscuously dispersed.
In some parts it follows the windings of the lake, and in others the sides or bases of
high hills covered with vines, whose branches entwine around those of the huge majestic
walnut-trees which line its sides, presenting a pleasing object to the view, and a
delightful and refreshing shade.
On the summit of a hill, four miles from Rolle, and three from the high t;oad, stands
Aubonne, or Albona, a small town built in the form of an amphitheatre, from which
the lake, the mountains of Fanciguie, the plains of Chablais, and the fertile hills of the
Pays-de-Vaud, are seen to the greatest advantage, forming a most superb and noble view.
In the district of St. Livre, at the foot of the Jura, at no great distance from
Aubonne, is likewise an extensive cavern, which stretches far into the interior of the
mountain. This merits the traveler's attention, both from the number of beautiful
stalactites of various forms and colour, which it contains, and the incessant rumbling
noise which is heard, as if proceeding from the heart of the mountain, not unlike the
flowing of a river.
I must not here omit mentioning, that on the high road from Rolle to Morges,
though more particularly near the village of St. Prex, I in several places observed huge
blocks of pudding-stone, similar to those found in the Alps, having the same degree of
consistence, and the same kind of cement, as also pieces of granite of less bulk, and
others of the compound class,^vidently productions of the primitive chain, though
foreign to the soil on which they now stand.
The town of Morges is extremely pleasant, well-built, populous, and carries on
some trade, from its situation near the lake {Vide 15.). as well as being on the high
road to Germany, Italy, and Burgundy. It has likewise a commodious and spacious
port, built by the senate or government of Berne, capable of admitting one hundred
large vessels, besides magazines and warehouses for the reception of goods, &c. There
is also a kind of custom-house, where the duties on exports and imports are paid, the
produce of which is considerable, and belongs to the state.
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