Page:Three Years in Europe.djvu/120

92 surrounded by deep water and connected by a bridge with the mainland. We went into the dark subterranean chamber where for six years the gallant Bonivard was chained to one of the pillars in darkness and misery for having fought for the liberty of the people of Geneva. We saw the pillar to which he was chained as also one of the links of the identical chain. Byron has inscribed his name on one of the pillars here.

From Chillon we went to Geneva, the other end of the lake. As our steamer went on we saw on one side the dark range of Jura, and on the other the lordly Alps. They reminded me of those noble lines of Byron where he describes a tempest in lake Geneva:—

Geneva, the birth-place of Rousseau and Sismondi, is a fine and busy town beautifully situated on the spot where the Rhone meets the lake of Geneva. As it was not a very clear day, we could but imperfectly see the far off Mont Blank covered with snow.

As one travels through this beautiful mountainous country he cannot fail being struck with the happy condition of even the lowest classes of the people. Go to the poorest villages, and you will see the beautiful and neatly varnished and painted wooden huts which are peculiar to Switzerland, with carefully cultivated fields and lawns adjoining them, and a happy and contented