Valais, now called the Simplon, from Uri. In these mountains the rapid Rhone rises, issuing from the foot of these glaciers; it rushes in the most sublime manner from steep to steep, till reaching the foot of the mountain, it rolls its majestic waves through a beautiful and extensive valley, from whence it proceeds to the lake of Geneva, where its stream is still distinguished by its impetuosity, from the calm waters

of the lake.

A chain of lofty mountains, which divide the Simplon from Berne, forms a sublime boundary to the valley north of the Rhone.

Having followed the course of this majestic river as nearly as they could, they at length arrived at Monges, from whence a bridge of a single arch is thrown across the river. "I think, Sir," said Edward," that the Pont du Diable, in the canton of Uri, must yield in grandeur and terrific effect to this. Why it is almost surrounded by rushing torrents." "Not surrounded," interrupted the doctor

"But," replied his pupil, they really do descend from so many different quarters, that I cannot tell how to describe them.'

DR. WALKER. "Then let it alone, for a description, unless it is clear, is of all things the most incomprehensible." The bridge as they crossed it, trembled beneath them, and Edward, after passing it, turned once more to view that scene which had so powerfully struck his imagination.'Look, Sir, to the right. See how those rocks are piled one above the other."

DR. WALKER." I should have said to the north, because then I could discover them in the map; and now, Edward, look to the south, and observe the luxuriant scene of vegetation stretched before us. What a contrast!" Our travellers continued their journey along the southern banks of the Rhone, until they saw Saldes on the opposite side of the river. Here they crossed, and after one day's rest, they set off on their arduous task of passing Mount Gemmi, on their road to Berne. At the foot of this mountain there are particularly fine baths near the town of Luck, which was for a time buried beneath the snow, as before observed; these waters have performed surprising cures in nervous and rheumatic complaints. The mountains are so high in its neighbourhood, that it is dark at five oclock at the bath-house.

The Gemmi is composed of granite; the lower part of which is adorned with larches and firs. In various parts huge trunks of trees have been placed to form the road; in other places steps wide enough to set the foot in safety are cut in the solid rock, on the very edge of precipices three, four, or five hundred feet deep. After a dangerous, but as far as scenery was concerned, beautiful journey, they arrived in the neighbourhood of Mount Wimmis, at the foot of which is a castle which overlooks the lake of Thaun. They took up their abode for one night in a cottage in its neighbourhood. The next day they ascended this beautiful mountain, and in the evening arrived at the cottage of Chaley; from this spot the scene became more wild and barren. Our travellers arose before the sun on the following morning, in order to witness its splendour in these lofty regions, when they had approached near its summit, such a scene of splendour burst upon them, as totally to defy all description.

Six beautiful lakes are seen from the tower, which is built on the top of Wimmis for the convenience of making observations, while the noble Aar, and its small tributary stream the Emme, wind through the vale below. On every side, at various distances, rise snow capt mountains, presenting alternately gloomy woods, and barren rocks, while round their base fresh and blooming flowers, together with the richest verdure, present a scene of such variety as scarcely to be imagined. The effect of the rising sun on such a variety of objects can only be supplied by the warm colouring of an ardent imagination. When they had descended the mountain, they proceeded to Thun, and arrived at that festive season of the year when the vintage was beginning. Dr. Walker and his pupil enjoyed the scene particularly, as the peasant girls dressed in their gayest cloaths, were busily employed in plucking the juicy grape; they amused themselves with singing some of their favorite airs. Not the Ranz des vaches, for that is forbidden, the effect produced by that national air was so electric as to cause soldiers to desert if they heard it. At sun-set the girls return to their cottages, and the evening is generally concluded by a dance, in which both old and young partake to the sound of the "spirit stirring fife."

SECTION IV.

THE VINE-VINEYARDS.

EDWARD, light-hearted and gay, being invited by an old peasant to share their mirth, willingly accepted the offer, and was in a short time as merry and as brisk as any one of them. Colin himself could scarce resist the inclination to join them, and more than once he forgot himself, and gave them a specimen of a Highland fling. He was indeed so joyous at having reached a comfortable resting place, that when he heard they were to resume their journey on the morrow, he felt something like chagrin.

The earliest introduction of the vine into the western parts of Europe is stated to have been about the year 280, under the immediate sanction of Probus, the Roman Emperor, who, throughout his whole dominions, was a zealous encourager of agricultural pursuits. There can be no doubt that vines were anciently propagated in our own island for the purpose of wine, and that there were vineyards of considerable extent in Gloucestershire, Hampshire, and some other counties; but, as vines are principally found to flourish in inland countries, lying betwixt the thirtieth and fifty-first degrees of latitude, it is evident that there can be no part of Great Britain sufficiently adapted to their successful cultivation.

Any person who has seen a hop garden, may easily form an idea of the appearance of a vineyard. Vines are usually propagated by slips, cuttings, or offsets from the roots. These, when they have attained a sufficiency of roots, are transplanted from the nursery ground into the vineyard, the soil of which ought to be light and rich. They are placed in this ground in rows and at regular intervals, leaving space sufficient for the vine dressers, and the reapers to pass betwixt them; and as soon as the rooted plants are three years old, they begin to bear fruit. The season for pruning and dressing them is the early part of the year, before the sap begins to rise; and, about the time when the flowers appear, the plants are fastened to poles, for the purposes of supporting them, of preventing them from growing entangled with