Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/60

76 number of small windows, with their small panes, peep forth from beneath an enormous roof. The front and back of the house (the roof at the two ends reaches to the ground) are ornamented with a great number of painted figures; lions, deer, horses, flowers, flower-vases, birds, and other animals and figures, all more or less unnatural; scripture-texts remind the beholder of the shortness of life, of God's faithfulness and righteous judgment. The house was thus built, a century ago, by the grandfather of the present proprietor. The grandson, M. Henchey, has renewed the paintings and refitted the rooms in the spacious house, which is now opened to friends and strangers who desire to breathe the invigorating air of the high valleys. Higher up towards the mountains lies the village of Rossinières, with its lovely and finely-situated church and cluster of small houses. The whole valley is meadow and woodland. On every hand it is inclosed by mountains, the slopes of which are covered with pasturage. The loftiest of these, resembling in form a fortified castle, with five tall pinnacles, is called Rubli, and the tallest pinnacle Rubli-horn. The Sarine roars through the valley, along its stony bed, but lying so deep below its banks that the waters can only be seen when you stand close upon them.

The evening on which I arrived here was fine, but to-day one might fancy one's-self in Siberia! The black clouds rush along the mountain passes like avalanches, and pour down torrents of cold rain. Last night snow fell on the peaks and green pastures of Rubli.

The 10th.—Cold and rain still continue. I try to