Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/26

42 peaceful monuments. Every grave is indicated by flowering shrubs, mostly roses; and out of every flowering thicket rises a metal spire with a little gilded star at its point. The grave-stars shone like flames in the ascending sun. The dew lay in bright pearls upon the fragrant roses. How fresh, how peaceful was every thing!

I pursued my way along the lake, by the opposite shore, to the town. It led me through a natural path; the green-sward was covered with flowers, the tall grasses waved gayly in the morning breeze, and the little feather-adorned ladies looked forth from their dwellings. It was a great marriage-feast. A beautiful butterfly, just come out of its pupa state, sat with moist wings upon a leaf. I gathered it in my bouquet, and walked till I became hungry and weary. I then retraced my steps, and, so doing, met a young bridal couple, she with a garland of meadow-flowers on her brown hair, and he with one round his hat.

They were returning from the church, where they had been married this morning. They held each other by the hand, and thus walked side by side, healthy, handsome, gay, through the flowery scene, on their way to the Alpine hut, their home. But they were not happier than I was that morning; and their breakfast could scarcely taste more delicious to them than did mine after my early ramble.

I passed yet another enchanting morning at Thun, and wandered through its magnificent walnut and chestnut woods; after which I went on board the steamboat which goes to Interlachen. It was a beautiful afternoon; the heavens, clear and summer-blue,