If the peasants of Meillerie, which is the part of Savoy Rousseau took so much pleasure in describing, at all resemble those of Valorsine, he cannot there at least be accused of having dealt in fiction.  M. de Saussure relates an anecdote which serves to give an idea of the Savoyards in these situations, so remote from the corruption incident to cities.  He says, “I was one day prosecuting my researches amongst the Alps, and being without provisions, was induced to take some fruit not far distant from a cottage.  I observed a woman coming towards me, as I concluded, to ask payment for the fruit; and I assured her I had no intention of going away without satisfying her.  She answered, ’I came out thinking you had lost your way, and that I might be able to set you right.  As for the fruit, I will take nothing for it.  He who made it, did not intend it for the use of one in particular.’”

We had not yet performed above half our journey, and as it was getting late, we were obliged by the representation of our guides to continue on our road, which lay through a romantic district, abounding with streams and falls of water.  Some of the fir trees on the Tete Noire opposite to us, are said to be above 100 feet in height.  We were after the first league frequently obliged to dismount, having in some places literally to ascend steps cut in the rock, which I think must have not a little puzzled two gentlemen, who set out on horseback about the same time we did from Chamouny, but who did not reach Martigny for a long time after us, and were greatly tired with the difficulties they had to encounter.

The village of Trient is in a romantic situation, but has not the same attractions as Valorsine.  The hill near it is astonishingly difficult of ascent.  The guides wished us to let the mules shift for themselves; and we all at last arrived at the summit.  An hour afterwards, we reached the Mount Fourcle, from which is seen a vast extent of country.  This view is by some travellers considered as surpassing all others in Switzerland, as it embraces the greatest part of the Canton of the Valais, watered by the Rhone; and we could distinctly see its capital city Sion, although above eight leagues distant.  Martigny and St. Branchier seemed to lie at our feet; but we had still a long way to descend before we reached them.  The city of Sion will be long remembered as the scene of one of the most horrible of those outrages which cast such a just odium on the French name.  It was given up to the savage fury of an army irritated by the brave but ineffectual resistance, which its inhabitants attempted to oppose against the invaders of their property and liberty.  But here, as in too many other instances, numbers occasioned the worse to prevail over the better cause.  A person on whose authority I can confide, assured me he was at Geneva, when a part of the French army arrived there after this glorious exploit, and that rather than return without plunder, they carried away with