Page:The Voyage Of Italy Or A Compleat Journey through Italy, The Second Part.pdf/121

 and the little Hospital upon the plain: Thence passing by the Chappel, of the Transis (that is, of those who are found dead of cold in the Snow, and are buried here) we came to the great Cross and Tavern, where we began to descend. This Hill of Mount Cenis is four miles in the going up, four miles upon the Plain, and two in its descent to Novalese.

Arriving about noon at Novalese, we dined, horsed, and went that night to Susa.

Susa, anciently Segesium, is a strong Town, and one of the gates of Italy. For this reason, the French in their late long Warr with Spain, kept it a long time in their hands; as well as Pignerola, which they still keep upon treaty, to let them into Italy when they have a mind. Its strength consists wholly in a Castle built upon a high rock close to the Town, and commanding all the passage betwixt the two Mountains. This Town is famous in the latter History, for the smart action of the French, when they beat down the twelve several