M. and G. catch A.’s and my enthusiasm, and come with their little hands full of dandelions, buttercups and daisies, and their hats full of primroses.  Even Mr. Prentiss conies in with his hands full of crocuses, purple and white, and lots of an extremely pretty flower, “la fille avant la mere,” which he gathers on the mountains where I can not climb....  I often think of you and Mrs. B——­, when I revel among the beautiful profusion of flowers with which this country is adorned.  So early as it is, the hills and fields are covered with primroses, daisies, cowslips, violets, lilies, and I don’t know what not; in five minutes we can gather a basketful.

* * * * *

III.

The Campagne Genevrier.  Vevay.  Beauty of the Region.  Letters.  Birth of a Son.  Visit from Professor Smith.  Excursion to Chamouni.  Whooping-cough and Scarlet-fever among the Children.  Doctor Curchod.  Letters.

At the end of March the family removed to the campagne Genevrier, about two miles back of Vevay, in the direction of St. Leger.  At one point it overlooked the town and the lake, and commanded a fine view of the mountains of Savoy and of the distant Jura range.  On the opposite shore of the lake is the village where Lord Byron passed some time in 1816, and where he is said to have written the wonderful description of a thunder-storm, in the third canto of Childe Harold.  At all events the very scene, so vividly depicted by him, was witnessed from Genevrier. [5]

To Mrs. Stearns, Genevrier, April 5, 1859

Your letter describing how nicely your party went off, followed us from Montreux, to enliven us here in our new home.  We only wish we could have been there.  You need not have apologised for giving so many details, for it is just such little events of your daily life that we want to hear about.  My mouth quite waters for a bit of the cake they sent you; I remember Mrs. Dr. J. and others used to send us big loaves which were delicious, and such as I never tasted out of Newark.  We came here last Thursday in a great snow-storm, which was cheerless and cold enough after the warm weather we had had for so many weeks.  I do not suppose more snow fell on any day through the winter, and we all shivered and lamented and huddled over the fire at a great rate.  Yet I have just been driven indoors by the heat of the sun, having begun to write at a little table just outside the house, and fires and snow have disappeared.  George has gone to town with Jules in the wagon to buy sugar, oil, oats, buttons, and I do not know what not, and is no doubt thinking of you all; for we do nothing but cry out how we wish you were here with us to enjoy this beautiful spot.  We are entirely surrounded by mountains in the distance, and with green fields, vineyards, and cultivated grounds nearer home.  How your children would delight in the flowers, the white doves, the seven little tiny