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"Voulant reprimer les actes de cette secte, qui troublent l'ordre public, decrète :

"Article 1. Toute assemblee de partisans de cette secte, formee de personnes etrangères à la famille, pour y exercer le culte, ou y celebrer quelqu'une des ceremonies de l'eglise, est defendue, et sera immediatement dissoute.

"Art. 2. Les personnes qui auront preside ou dirige ces assemblees, y auront officie, ou auront fourni le local, seront responsables et punies de l'une des peines qui suivent.

ments to others? May men talk of politics, literature, philosophy, and is religion alone-the one thing needful-to be banished from their conversation.

But I proceed to give some account of the actual execution of this unjust law.

M. Charles Rochat, minister of the Gospel, of the canton de Vaud, of a respectable family, and whose brother is one of the national clergy of the canton, is the first on whom the severity of the new law has fallen. Five persons were found "Art. 3. Toute acte de proselytisme ou de se- seated around a table in his house, with the Bible duction, tendant à gagner à cette secte, est inter-open before them-the wife of M. Rochat, a comdit; et celui ou ceux qui s'en seraient rendus coupables, seront punis de l'une des peines ci-après. "Dans l'appreciation de la gravite du delit, et dans l'application de la peine, les tribunaux prendront en consideration la seduction exercee envers les instituteurs des colleges ou ecoles, envers les personnes du sexe, ou celles qui sont sous l'autorite de parens ou tuteurs.

"Art. 4. Les contraventions aux articles 2 et 3 ci-dessus seront punies, ou par une amende qui ne pourra exceder six cents francs, ou par la defense d'aller ou de sejourner dans telle commune, ou par la confination dans une commune pour un temps qui ne pourra exceder une annec, ou par une prison de discipline qui ne pourra exceder une année, ou enfin par un bannissement hors du canton qui ne pourra excoder treis ans.

Art. 5. La défense d'aller ou de séjourner dans une commune sera convertie en confination du condamné dans sa commune, pour un temps qui ne pourra exceder une année, dans le cas où il aurait enfreint cette défense.

La confination dans une commune sera convertie en prison de discipline pour le reste du temps, si le condamné avait enfrient sa confina

tion.

mon friend, with two of his sisters, and a young person, a stranger. This was the whole crime. M. Rochat was found guilty of reading in his own house, before his wife and four friends, a chapter of the New Testament! For this he was at first condemned to three years' banishment, which, however, the tribunal of appeal reduced to one year. Next, M. Oliver was banished for two years by the sentence of the same law.

Like judgments have been pronounced against M M. Chavannes, Juvet, and Fivaz, of whom the two former were previously confined TEN WEEKS IN PRISON.

Two females were also banished by the jugement de première instance of the tribunals of Orbe and Yverdun, on the charge of similar meetings being held at their houses; one of whom, however, has been since acquitted at Lausanne, as it was proved that she lived with her mother, and, consequently, that it was at her mother's house, and not at her's, that some friends after dinner had read the Bible together.

But it is not merely in the canton de Vaud that these enormous instances of injustice have occurred; at NEUFCHATEL an act of arbitrary power has just been committed, almost incredible from its severity. An old law, long obsolete, has been discovered, which it seems was passed two or three hundred years back. A simple agriculteur Art. 6. Toute cause qui aura pour object un des has been made the first victim of its revived powdélits prévus par la présente loi, sera nécessaire-ers. He received into his house M. Juvet, one ment soumise au tribunal d'appel.

Le bannissement hors du canton sera converti en prison de discipline pour le reste du temps, si le condamné avait rompu son ban.

Art. 7. Le conseil d'état est chargé de la publication et de l'exécution de la présente loi. Donné sous le grand sceau de l'état, à Lausanne, le 20 Mai, 1824.

Such is the harsh and inconsistent law of a Protestant Swiss canton, in the enactments of which neither is the sect well defined, nor the crime clearly pointed out, nor the punishment invariably fixed, but all is left to the interpretation of tribunals and the eagerness of informers. It seems that if a single person, not of the family, should be present where the Scriptures are read by a parent to his children and servants, the whole number would be considered as guilty. This is far more indefinite and oppressive than the French laws, bad as they confessedly are, which prohibit the periodical assembly of more than twenty persons without the authority of the government; and thus at least define precisely the act which is to be considered as criminal.

of the condemned ministers of the canton de Vaud, and allowed him to administer the sacrament. For this crime he was thrown into PRISON FOR THREE MONTHS, and was then brought up in chains and with a rope drawn tight round his neck to receive sentence. TEN YEARS OF BANISHMENT was the punishment pronounced; and if he shall attempt to return before the expiration of this term, he is to be MARKED WITH A HOT IRON for the first offence, and for the second TO BE HUNG. No passport was given him; so that he is left to be hunted about from place to place like the most degraded criminal. This worthy man, whose name is Magnin, has a wife and three children, for whom he has now no means of procuring support.

Such is the account which has just been received. Possibly some slight circumstances may be inaccurately stated, from want of more complete information on the part of my correspondents; but of the main facts, no doubt whatever can be entertained. Grosser acts of unqualified persecution have seldom been perpetrated, since the gloAnd above all, what is this prohibition of prose- rious Reformation first burst the chains of Popish lytism? Are not men to be allowed, by reasoning darkness and cruelty. Nor can any one thing, in and persuasion, peaceably to propose their senti-my opinion, be so deeply criminal in the eye of

secution.

that God who is the sole judge of the consciences lukewarmness about divine truth, or rather an of his creatures, and who has committed to civil indifference what errors are maintained, provided governments the duty of restraining and punish- men are not living and preaching according to the ing open immorality and vice, and upholding piety true faith of Christ, with a spirit of intolerance and virtue; but not of erecting a tribunal over the and persecution—that is, if we join the worst INfeelings and various judgments of men in minor CIDENTAL evils of Protestantism, with the foulest points of religious practice; much less of abusing DIRECT enormities of Popery-the consequence the sword of justice to purposes of base and wan-will be, that our "candlestick will be removed out ton cruelty, in matters purely indifferent. of its place,"-Rev. ii. v-and the fearful arm of Our Warburton has nobly shown that for the the Saviour be soon aroused in the defence of his magistrate to meddle with Christian doctrine and violated cause. Soon will "judgment overtake us" discipline, in the detail, must be the source of end-soon will "the ambassadors of peace" be recalled less confusion. To maintain religion in its ele--soon will national calamities "avenge the quarrel mentary principles, as the spring of public morals, of God's covenant"-soon will the ministers of and to protect the national profession of it from grace be sent to other people "bringing forth the insult and outrage, whilst a full toleration is grant- fruits thereof "—and the Protestant churches be ed to those who peaceably differ from the majority left "as a cottage in a vineyard, as a lodge in a with regard to the form of it, is the very utmost garden of cucumbers, as a besieged city-and imit of the magistrate's power; all beyond is per- then the strong shall be as tow, and the maker of it as a spark; and they shall both burn together, and none shall quench them."-Isaiah i. 8. 31. I know it is alleged, in extenuation of severe enactments, that enthusiasm and disorder are the consequences of unlimited toleration-but I know how weak and futile are such allegations. Undoubtedly, most great revivals of religion are attended, through the infirmity of our nature, with some extravagancies and excesses-no wise man can expect it to be otherwise-but what is the true remedy of such evils? Not persecution, but the force of reason and right conduct-the influence of sound and holy doctrine-the persuasion of Scriptural warnings and admonitions-the calm and friendly treatment which experience and wisdom furnish to youth and indiscretion-and especially the preaching of the full truth of the Gospel, in all its sobriety and force, by the established ministers of the church. Against such weapons enthusiasm has never been able to stand. It soon dies away. The minds of men are gradually informed. The Scriptures are seen to abound with the most suitable examples and instructions against it. The new teachers of religion acquire growth and solidity-a distinction is made between true and false zeal-the consequences of intemperate warmth are observed in the folly of those who are most heated with it-and, at last, a genuine and sound piety of principle and conduct is generally recognised and cultivated.

The low state of the Protestant churches has long been lamented by every serious mind. But still the free toleration which for more than a century they have afforded to the true servants of God has, at least, honorably distinguished them from the tyranny and ambition of the church of Rome. LIBERTY OF CONSCIENCE is the badge of the Reformation, and has now been fully understood and generally acted upon for a series of years, in Protestant states; whilst persecution and cruelty have been left, as by general consent, to be one of the characteristics of the GREAT PAPAL

APOSTACY.

Other evils have, it is true, too much infected the Protestant bodies-these we do not palliate or conceal-but the peculiar guilt of persecution has hitherto been abhorred amongst them. Indifference, skepticism, Socinianism, impiety, vice, must be confessed to have too widely prevailed. Some of the reformed churches have, alas! lamentably declined from evangelical truth and vital religion, and have been long verging further and further from the strictness of the Gospel in every respect, except as this one blessing of RELIGIOUS FREEDOM has supplanted the monster persecution, and has left an opening for the "witnesses to prophecy," as the Apostle speaks, "in sackcloth." So long as this was the case, a hope of a revival of religion might always be entertained; because true Christians were still allowed, by their public and private labors, to endeavor to persuade and convince mankind. Declines, in spiritual religion, are the fruits of our fallen nature generally, and are quickly remedied as often as the mercy of God returns to a people, and a continuance of religious freedom allows that mercy to operate.

ignorance, indifference, and vice, forged and prepared-all inquiry into real religion checked-the timid part of the clergy, induced by fear, to conceal and abridge the truth of the Gospel-every

Such is the natural course of things. Whereas, if the sword of vengeance is raised against pious and unoffending citizens, on the ground of religious opinions and practices, all is thrown into confusion-the innocent and conscientious are punished-the sanctity of truth is outraged-the progress of reformation stopped-the Spirit of Thus, in England, the generous spirit of tolera-grace quenched and dishonored-the chains of tion left open the way for the extensive revival of real Christianity which is now going on amongst us; and has attended, in every step of its progress, the diffusion of the evangelical doctrines on which that revival rests. But if persecution be once per-thing reduced to a formal and stationary routine mitted to resume its baneful influence-if the witnesses for Christ and his grace, in a corrupt world, be banished or imprisoned-if the peculiar doctrines of the redemption of the Gospel, which brought our forefathers out from the church of Rome, are proscribed in the very churches which were formed by that separation-if we unite a

―a dead calm spread over the church-and every thing lost as to vital piety. Thus the surest foundations of national prosperity are dug up— the spring of virtuous enterprise broken-morals left to mere natural motives-arts, science, commerce, discouraged and enervated-and, above all, the blessings of Almighty God withdrawn.

I trust that the remonstrances of Protestant Eu- | decoule de la sainte parole, le developpement de rope may prevail with the Swiss governments to leurs salutaires effets."reconsider their proceedings; and that ere long this foul blot on the Reformed churches may be With a protest containing such sentiments, I wiped out, and the true spirit of religious liberty do not despair of the Swiss churches. Truth will and toleration again distinguish and bless their revive and spread. The doctrines of the Reforcommunities. It is understood, that many of the mation will flourish the more for this attempt to clergy of the Canton de Vaud bitterly regret the oppress them. The consciences of men will be steps which have been taken; but are at present awakened; and persecution will again fail, as it borne down by the magistrates in the council.-ever has done, of crushing "THE GOSPEL OF THE Whether those clergy might have prevented the GRACE OF GOD." enactment of the law, if they had boldly and fully protested against it from the first, it is now impossible to say, and in vain to inquire. I can only hope, that the repeal of it will as speedily as possible obliterate the memory of the lamentable facts which have been just related.

Such a hope is not too sanguine. Already has a most forcible remonstrance been presented to the government, signed by twenty-six ministers. This cannot but produce good. The document is valuable, both as it explicitly avows the adherence of so large a part of the clergy to the admirable Helvetic Confession, (which, next to our own Thirty-nine Articles, is perhaps the best of all the Protestant Confessions,) and also as explicitly disavows the principles of persecution.— The following are extracts:

"Nous declarons donc ici solennellement que nous regardons la confession de foi Helvetique comme conforme aux paroles de l'Ecriture Sainte, et à la doctrine de notre Sauveur Jesus-Christ, règles invariables de notre foi; et que, loin de precher ni d'enseigner rien qui lui soit contraire, nous l'adoptons sincèrement et en suivons fidèlement les directions, nous y tenant pour obliges, devant Dieu et devant les hommes, par notre conviction intime et par le serment que nous avons prêté en consequence."

Nous pensons que le Christianisme ne doit s'etendre et regner que par les armes de la persuasion, rendues efficaces par la grâce de l'Eternel notre Dieu; que, de plus, les rigueurs pourraient aigrir et eloigner davantage ceux que la douceur eût peut-être ramenes; que les lois, pour peu qu'elles fussent sevères contre des separatistes, pourraient prêter des armes trop redoutables aux hommes moins eclaires que les legislateurs, et qui auraient à en faire l'application; qu'elles pourraient enfin influer d'une manière facheuse sur le jugement du peuple moins eclaire encore: opinion que nous ne pourrions que trop justifier par l'histoire des demêles religieux de tous les temps et de tous les lieux. Ainsi, repoussant de toutes nos forces le reproche de persecution dont le clerge est si souvent l'objet, nous demandons, du fond de notre cœur, à notre Dieu et à notre Sauveur, qu'il incline à la clemence le cœur de nos souverains magistrats; qu'ils se regardent comme les pères de tous ceux qui ont le bonheur de vivre sous leur gouvernement, et les protegent egalement; que s'ils croient devoir deployer la severite des lois, suivant leurs attributions, ce ne soit jamais pour gêner la conscience de leurs administres, dont elle est le domaine sacre et inviolable; qu'ainsi, abandonnant à Dieu le soin de punir les offenses qui ne regardent qui lui, ils laissent u temps, à la grâce et à la persuasion qui

The immense importance of the case will, I am sure, plead my excuse for these observations and extracts. Protestant Switzerland stands on the edge of a most fearful precipice. The conduct of the church of Geneva will be considered in a future part of this work, and therefore is not here adverted to.*

LETTER XI.

Geneva, Sept. 2.-Martigny, Sept. 6, 1823.

Translation of Scott-Cathedral at Lausanne-Pere Girard-Mont Blanc-Conversation with Genevese-Savoy-Bonneville-Valley of CluseGoitres-St. Martin's-Chede-Servoz-De Saussure-Chamouny-Glacier of Bossons-Accident in ascent of Mont Blanc-Italian GentlemenMontanvert-Couvercle-Mer de Glace-AlpsInfamous sentence in Strangers' Book-Tete Noire-Trient-French Emigrants.

Lausanne, Tuesday morning, Sept. 2, 1823.

ed the whole morning in examining two chapters MY DEAREST SISTER-Yesterday I was employof the translation of Scott, which I had brought with me from Geneva. I went over it, line by line, and word by word. It gave me satisfaction; it is, so far as I see, faithful, clear, simple; nothing is omitted, nothing changed. But I am no kind of judge. A good translation is a task of incon

edition. The facts I believe, are correct, and the * I leave the above pages unaltered in the present observations still too applicable to the existing state of things. The last accounts with which I am acquainted are those stated in the Christian Observer for November and December 1826-Three years of continued persecution, in the face of Protestant Europe, after all the means employed in various ways for awakening a sense of shame in the minds of the Lausanne authorities, is a portentous event! But I have had an opportunity of conversing with one or two persons of influence in the Pays de Vaud, and which seemed to possess their minds, convinced me the incurable prejudices against all spiritual religion of the real cause of the persecution, and of the hopelessness of remedying the evil by mere argument.— Divine grace, the influence of truth, remorse of conscience, conversion, the holy lives and deaths of the sufferers, the rapid spread of the proscribed doctrines, the removal of the chief persecutors by sickness, or change of abode, or the hand of deaththese are the means which a good Providence will employ, in its own time, for the relief of the injured prayers be poured out by all those who love the Saand oppressed. In the mean while, may earnest viour, in behalf of the sufferers, and of the sacred cause in which they are engaged.-March 1827.

contain the very sum and substance of the Gospel; and the latter of which is undoubtedly an important scriptural doctrine. Thus, from being the flower of the Reformed churches, Geneva has (for the time, and I trust it will be only for a short time,) fallen into the gulf of deism and Socinianism.

ceivable difficulty. The value of the original work predestination-the three former of which articles rises in my view every time I consult it-such solidity; honesty; strong sense; originality; theological knowledge; evangelical purity of doctrine; simple following of the mind of the sacred writers; freedom from party spirit; discretion; sound and manly criticism; acute resolution of difficulties; practical and holy tendency throughout. I really know of no commentary, except, perhaps, Calvin's, which is equal to it.

I have obtained a copy of the pamphlet published by the friends of M. Girard, the schoolmaster What I most want, is more steady, competent at Fribourg, giving an account of the whole of his laborers; there is still very, very much to be done proceedings. It is authorized by the municipal before St. Matthew will be ready for the press. I council. It seems that the charge alleged against am going off to-day to meet our friends at Gene- him was, that his schools of mutual instruction va, about the work; and then to proceed to Cha-were hostile to religion. The statement, however, mouney. It is possible we may go on to Martigny, of M. Girard proves that the principles of religion, and even Milan, and return by Lyon. The wea- and religion too of the Roman Catholic form, enther is most inviting. tered into all his arrangements. The Catholic In going to the cathedral yesterday, I found it catechism of the diocese was the chief book, and was built on an extremely high hill; you first as- his schools were warmly approved of by the bicend a street exceedingly steep, and then come to shop. Still the Jesuits were dissatisfied because a singular covered staircase (in the open street) some good sense and sincere piety were apparent of one hundred and seventy steps; so that the in M. Girard's method. His crime was, that he church stands quite on a pinnacle; the view which made faith working by love the end and foundait presents of the surrounding country is of almost tion of his instruction; that he was attached to unequalled extent and sublimity. The academy the principles of Fenelon and Rollin, and avoided is near the cathedral. It was founded in 1537. all mere mechanism in education; that he laborHenry Stephens and Beza were formerly profes-ed, as he states, to place religion in the undersors in it. It has now about two hundred stu- standing and in the heart of the children. dents. The library is remarkable for the books left to it by Don Jacynthe de Quiros, a Spanish gentleman who, in 1750, quitted the church of Rome, embraced the reformed religion, and became professor of ecclesiastical history at Lau

sanne.

At one o'clock yesterday I visited a pious family, two or three miles from Lausanne, at a house beautifully situated in the midst of vineyards, and commanding a fine view of the lake. I had a most affecting conversation with them. The father, mother, sisters, all seem quite in earnest about their salvation. But, unhappily, they have few wise, enlightened guides. Too many of the ministers at Lausanne, with much orthodoxy and zeal, are said to want that humble and practical knowledge of the Gospel, as a concern of the heart, without which they cannot direct others. On the other hand, a pious minister (who has lately been silenced,) has fallen into the dangerous error of always dwelling on the mysterious doctrine of the divine election, &c.; so that the serious people are almost as sheep without a shepherd. What a delight is it on a journey to be able to advise, comfort, and strengthen, in any degree, the minds of distressed brethren in the faith! I could scarcely tear myself away from this family. At Geneva, things I am told are much worse than here, as to the public doctrines taught by the clergy. The decline in religion began in that city about eighty years back, when the subscription to the formulary of the Swiss Reformers the noble and most scriptural Helvetic confession -was abolished; then came in Voltaire as a resident in the town; next, the catechism of Calvin was done away with; lastly, a règlement was issued about six years since, drawn up with adroitness and caution, but plainly intended to prevent the ministers from preaching explicitly and fully on the divinity of Christ, original sin, grace, and]

The municipal council of Fribourg, notwithstanding the arts of the Jesuits, solemnly assure him of their approbation. They tell him "that their Master-instructer, the divine Redeemer, neglected not, in his instructions, the forming of the heart; his manner of teaching was never a dry theory. You are, then, reverend father," they continue, "misunderstood; the expression is too weak; but truth at last will resume her rights.Man proposes; God disposes. We think, that because God loves our school, he has been pleased to visit it with chastisement.

"The municipal council, faithful to its oath, will fulfill its duties, of which it feels the honor and the importance; not one of its members would charge himself, as it respects the present and future generations, with the responsibility of being indifferent at such a solemn moment. Let us hope! God, whom we invoke, will protect our children, and save them from the abyss."

Nothing can be more affecting, I think, than this touching appeal. An address from the heads of families in Fribourg closes the pamphlet, testifying to the same facts. "Our conviction,” say they, "ought to be of some weight in the scale; we have a right to express it. And who are the best judges? those who blame the school without knowing it, or the fathers of families, the earliest teachers of their children, who have constantly their eye fixed on their morals, their docility, their progress, and who can compare the present with the past?"

The pamphlet was published at Fribourg about four months since. It affords a further illustration of the good which is going on in Catholic countries, to an extent we have little idea of in England; but, at the same time, of the spirit of the Jesuits and chief rulers in the present councils of the Popedom,

Geneva, Wednesday morning, 5 o'clock.—We

allowed to grow at random, in the most scrambling manner, on the ground, with potatoes or willows rising among them. This small market town of Bonneville has six hundred inhabitants. Just before I left Geneva, your parcel arrived from London. I had time to send it on to Lausanne without a moment's delay.

had a delightful sail yesterday in the steam-boat. The only drawback on our pleasure was, that my dear Mrs. W. was not with us; her health obliges her to remain tranquil during this our second mountain tour. The view of the banks of the lake, as we sailed by, was exquisite, especially as the evening drew on. We passed the château of Prangins, where Joseph Bonaparte resided after St. Martin, near to Sallenche, 36 miles from his Spanish dream of royalty. The Mont Blanc Geneva, eight o'clock.-We have had a most was visible above the mountains of Savoy, almost charming drive. The valley of Cluse opened the whole way; and at sunset, it remained illu- upon us about two leagues from Bonneville. Cluse minated, or rather gilded by the sun, full twenty (the Roman Clausum, because, according to some, minutes after every other mountain was in the it appears to close up entirely the valley) is roshade. Its height is not apparently greater than mantically situated on the Arve. The craggy that of the Jungfrau Alp; but its extent, size, va-mountains are in contrast with the sweet fertility rious ridges, enormous platforms, &c., make it in- of the valley, and vary so perpetually in their outfinitely more majestic; it appears literally a re-line, site, and appearance, that it is impossible for gion of ice and snow.

During our passage, I had a long conversation with some respectable young Genevese, on various religious topics. It was grievous to see how the poison of the prevailing sentiments at Geneva had infected their minds. They seemed to have no fixed principles, except a loose general notion that the Bible was the word of God. All the evangelical doctrines they thought harsh, doubt ful, or unimportant-moral instruction was all that man required—every one had a right to put his own sentiments on the New Testament, as the Reformers had put theirs-all opinions wcre equally good, if men's conduct only was conformed to them. Such is the sophistry by which the stupendous revelation of a divine Redeemer, dying for our sins, and sanctifying us by his Spirit, is evaded, and the dregs of heathen ethics alone retained-that is, the whole Bible, as the standard of truth, is overthrown, and "the imaginations of man's own heart" substituted in its place.

At our landing, our kind friends were waiting for us on the shore, and I had a conference with them for two hours. They met me again for three hours, this morning at seven. We are gradually arranging the plan of the publication of St. Matthew. I agreed to provide a person to copy the MSS. fair for the printer; fixed January the first for the time when all should be ready for the press; and promised to meet them again in about three weeks, on my return from Chamouny.

These Genevese friends seem men of the deepest piety and sweetest spirit of love; I was delighted and edified. I forgot to say, that our lodging-house at Lausanne is Maison Miliquet St. Pierre, première étage; it is quite worth recording, in order to inform any friends who may be coming to Lausanne.

Bonneville, 18 miles from Geneva, half-past two. -We are now in the duchy of Savoy, attached to the kingdom of Sardinia. The capital is Turin, which we hope to see before we return. Our road has run through the valley of the Arve. The country has been singularly beautiful, something like the valley of the Reuss, only that the river Reuss incomparably surpasses the muddy, straggling, wandering Arve, whose shores are desolation itself. Savoy is Catholic; and negligent, indolent, and in many parts, dirty. The vines, instead of being regularly planted and supported in rows, as in the neighboring lands, are positively

words to convey any adequate idea of them. At one particular spot, three small cannon were drawn up by some peasants and fired, to give us the pleasure of hearing the repeated echo of the mountains.

Two things distressed us to-day, one a natural, the other a moral defect-almost every second person here has a swollen neck; sometimes so as to distort the whole figure; it almost amounts to a goitre; children often have it. Besides other inconveniences, I conceive it must materially impede the poor in their labors. The other defect is, the lamentable misery and superstition of these parts. We actually saw on a cross, by the roadside, this notice, "The archbishop of Chamberry and bishop of Geneva grants forty days' indulgence to all those who shall say before this cross, a pater, and an Ave-Maria, with an act of contrition, 1819." And yet this bishop of Geneva ruled that fine canton till the Reformation; and it was only in 1754, that the duke of Savoy relinquished his claims upon it. O what a blessing is deliverance from the monstrous domination and errors of the church of Rome! The duke once made, as perhaps you know, a base attempt to seize the town, in 1604, in the dead of the night, and during a profound peace: the heroism of the Swiss, however, was not to be overcome; and they repulsed the invaders. The river Arve, by which we have been travelling, is a torrent springing in Savoy, and pouring into the Rhone, near Geneva; it swells so suddenly at times, as to cover all the adjoining fields, and do great mischief.

Servoz, on the road to Chamouny, 11 o'clock, Thursday, Sept. 4.-We set off at eight this morning, after wretched beds, and a wretched breakfast; but all has been repaid by the magnificent view we had of Mont Blanc, in all its splendor. The mass, or rather chain of Alps, bearing the general name of Mont Blanc, covered with perpetual snow, rose over the intervening mountains. The contrast between the snowy terrors of the Alps, immediately above us, and the rich verdure of the valley, the profusion of trees on the hills, and the lovely meadows creeping up their sides, by which we were passing, was really incredibly striking. The outline of the fir-crowned mountains, in the near prospect, was surmounted with the snows of Mont Blanc, apparently quite close; so that it seemed impossible that we should be melting with heat, so near to tremendous ice

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