After leaving Aix, we proceeded to Ramilly; about midway between these places is a waterfall on the right, but at a distance from the road, which is visited by most of the strangers who take the waters at Aix.
In the evening we reached Frangy, where, notwithstanding we had travelled by ourselves in the voiture, we were not without a supper party, for we were favoured with the company of no less than four vitturenos. They were so far pleasant company, that they treated us with respect, and amused us with their conversation respecting the number of their passengers, fares, &c.
On Friday, the 20th of July, we set off in great spirits, in the prospect of reaching Geneva for breakfast; soon after leaving Frangy, which lies in a deep galley, we began to ascend a steep mountain, the top of which, it took us four hours to arrive at; this accomplished, we descended again, and shortly afterwards entered Switzerland, that country—
“Where rougher climes a nobler race display;
Where the bleak Swiss their stormy mansion tread,
And force a churlish soil for scanty bread.”
At eleven o’clock we made our entry into the city of Geneva.
CHAP. XXVI.
GENEVA.—LAUSANNE.
On arriving at Geneva, we took up our residence at the Hotel de Corona, and discharged our vittureno, a little dark-looking Savoyard, but with a great oddity of temper, being either in the extreme of sulkiness, or good humour; he was, however, so quietly disposed, that he slept the greater part of the way, either on his horses or in the cabriolet. The manner in which he took his leave of us was singular enough; after inquiring whether we were satisfied with his attentions, and being answered in the affirmative, he proceeded to say that he did not ask for a buona-mana, as he knew such a donative was excluded by our agreement, but that he hoped we would give something, no matter whether a franc or a Napoleon, to prove that we were satisfied with him.