Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/354

370 people contended together in bloody strife, has become that in which they, by preference, assemble for the cheerful and amiable enjoyment of life. Everywhere people are in movement to look about and to amuse themselves. On every hand flags are waving and salutes are given. And besides all this, these rich banks are at this moment infinitely beautiful. They are clothed again in new verdure after the late rain. The fruit-harvest is almost as abundant as the corn-harvest has been, and for many a year the vineyards have not displayed such a wealth of clusters. There is a universal blessing over the earth!

In passing by, I cast grateful, leave-taking glances, at the various places where I enjoyed life with nature and with man, and where I sometimes experienced the most amiable hospitality,—St. Prix, Lausanne, Clarens, Montreux! They lay peacefully surrounded by their splendid grounds and walnut trees,—the loveliest trees on the banks of Lake Leman.

So farewell, thou beautiful, richly blessed land! Mayst thou bear thy beauty, and thy harvests, for the joy of millions, and bless and benefit many a stranger, as thou hast benefited and blessed me!

At Bex, we were met by the kind Pastor Secretan, who conducted us to his hospitable table. At Bex, our little party was joined by a kind young girl, who wished to see Monte Rosa, and I am now the mother of three young daughters, whom I shall introduce to the regions of the new-world. Increased responsibility, and with it increased anxiety as to the event of the journey, for the sky is becoming cloudy.