p u vi l l i
I crossed a noble stone bridge, thrown over the torrent Veveyse, which takes its source
among the mountains of Freyburg, forming, by its sediments, some allerrissemevs, or
banks, at its entrance into the lake. An accurate representation of Vevay, its situation,
and profile of the mountains of Savoy and the Valais, is given in N° XVI I . which likewise
includes an idea of the course of this torrent, contiguous to the town, showing the
abrupt state of the hills which serve as a boundary to the deep channel dug by the impetuosity
of its waters.
The structure of these hills 'is certainly extremely curious and singular, from the
amazing variation which takes place in the direction of their strata, and the matter
of which they are composed, though mostly formed of a species of soft lamellated
sand-stone, mixed with argillaceous earth. They likewise join, on their southern side,
the mountain of Chardonne, at the basis of which stands Vevay. This mountain has
the appearance of being in great part composed of the same kind of pudding-stone as
those near St. Saphorin, with this difference only, that those which are mostly calcareous
are in several places streaked or veined with wide shelves or bands of white spath,
having their strata more parallel with each other, though on the eastern side.
The town of Vevay, which stands at the foot of this mountain, in lat. 46° 30',
long. 7° 12', is ancient, and appears to have been the Fiviscum of the Romans, or otherwise
Ribiscim, according to Antoninus's Itinerary.
This charming spot is most enchantingly situated on the banks of the lakei its
streets are wide, the houses tolerably well built, and the town infinitely more agreeable,
as well as more commercial, than Lausanne.
After the reduction of the Pays-de-Vaud, in imitation of the former, it likewise gave
itself up to the canton of Berne, which, in like manner, left the inhabitants the full
enjoyment of their ancient privileges, and granted them new ones, which were more
considerable. One of the most capital branches of commerce carried on in this little
town consists in the exportation of Swiss cheese, though more particularly that of
Gruyère, made in the canton of Freyburg, about fifteen miles from Vevay. The tanneries
are likewise very productive, their leather being much esteemed both in Switzerland,
France, and Savoy j and the inhabitants make a considerable traffic in jewelery,
silversmiths' goods, silks from Italy, &c,
Vevay also resembles the other Swiss towns, in having, like them, a public college,
where philosophy and the belles-lettres are taught gratis, and which is esteemed the next