between a European and an
American Foot and Hand.—­Violent Gale.—­Sheltered position of
Vevey.—­Promenade.—­Picturesque View.—­The great
Square.—­Invitation.—­Mountain Excursion.—­An American
Lieutenant.—­Anecdote.—­Extensive Prospect.—­Chateau of Glayrole.

Dear ——­,

We have had a touch of the equinox, and the Leman has been in a foam, but its miniature anger, though terrible enough at times, to those who are embarked on its waters, can never rise to the dignity of a surf and a rolling sea.  The rain kept me housed, and old John and I seized the occasion to convert a block of pine into a Leman bark, for P——.  The next day proving fair, our vessel, fitted with two latine sails, and carrying a weather helm, was committed to the waves, and away she went, on a wind, toward the opposite shore.  P——­, of course, was delighted, and clapped his hands, until, perceiving that it was getting off the land, he compelled us to enter the boat and give chase.  A chase it was, truly; for the little thing went skipping from wave, to wave, in such a business-like manner, that I once thought it would go all the way to Savoy.  Luckily a flaw caused it to tack, when it soon became our prize.  We were a long distance off when the boat was overtaken, and I thought the views behind the town finer, at that position, than when nearer in.  I was particularly struck with the appearance of the little chateau of Blonay, which is still the residence of a family of the same name, that has been seated, for more than seven centuries, on the same rocky terrace.  I was delighted to hear that its present owner is a liberal, as every ancient gentleman should be.  Such a man ought to be cautious how he tarnishes his lineage with unjust or ungenerous sentiments.

The equinoctial blow returned the next day, and the lake became really fine, in a new point of view; for, aided by the mountains, it succeeded in getting up a very respectable appearance of fury.  The sail-boats vanished, and even the steamers went through it with a good deal of struggling and reluctance.

As soon as the weather became better, we went to Lausanne, preferring the road, with a view to see the country.  It is not easy to fancy anything prettier than this drive, which ran, nearly the whole distance, along the foot of hills, that would be mountains anywhere else, and quite near the water.  The day was beautiful, and we had the lake, with its varying scenery and movement, the whole time in sight; while the road, an excellent solid wheel-track, wound between the walls of vineyards, and was so narrow as scarcely to admit the passage of two carriages at a time.  At a short distance from Lausanne, we left the margin of the lake, and ascended to the level of the town, through a wooded and beautifully ornamented country.