Page:Monthly scrap book, for July.pdf/20

20 beautiful engraving of this dog in the act of saving the infant.—Two of these dogs are of a brown speckled colour, and three are white with fawn ears: their heads are very large; their teeth enormous; their necks thick, with flesh hanging down like a bull’s; their front feet are amazingly strong, and they stand very high upon their legs; their haunches and hind legs are like those of hounds. They add to all their other qualities that of being remarkably gentle.

This convent was built in 1550. The walls are enormously thick, and strengthened with buttresses on the side of the lake behind, which is frequently frozen during the whole year. The snow falls almost all the year, and it commonly freezes in the morning even in the middle of summer. Dreadful storms of wind often come on unexpectedly, and carry away travellers.

The Provost told me, that in 1800, Buonaparte passed this way. He had sent over 60,000 men from France to Italy who were three weeks in crossing. He came himself after them on a mule, it stumbled on the way, and had not the guide caught him in his arms, he would have fallen down the precipice. He rewarded his deliverer, who ever after went by the name of Buonaparte. Napoleon staid two hours and a half at the convent, was dark and thoughtful, spoke little, took some provisions and a little wine, and appeared lost in silence. He asked if they knew the strength of a neighbouring fort, went down to Italy, and fought the battle of Marengo! The poor monks lost every thing during the war, even their linen