We entered this celebrated vault, and examined the seven “pillars of Gothic mould,” but which, at present, retain only four of the seven rings described by our poet, three pillars being without them; the chains, said to have been connected with these rings, have entirely disappeared.
After spending a very happy day, we were obliged, but with the greatest regret, to leave our kind friend at an early hour, as we had to prepare for our intended departure from Lausanne early on the following morning.
But we were disappointed in our latter views, owing partly to the weather, and partly to the difficulty of procuring a suitable conveyance; we secured, however, places in a voiture for the following morning, and made ourselves perfectly ready for setting out.
In the morning, at an early hour, we were prepared for our journey. We waited until six o’clock, when a man came to look at our luggage, after which, a variety of excuses were sent, which terminated in our being informed, that the voiture would not go that day, but that we might be sent in a char to Berne, for which town, we had taken our places. For a time, we insisted on the fulfilment of our agreement, but, beginning to apprehend we should otherwise be prevented from getting away to-day, we at length agreed to put up with the char. It was accordingly brought forward; on placing, however, my friend’s trunk behind it, this was found too large to be attached, without a risk of injury on both sides. In consequence, they were obliged eventually to convey us in the voiture; I am convinced, that in obtaining this point, we were indebted entirely to their fears of offending Dr. V⸺.
I cannot leave Lausanne without paying the due tribute of gratitude to this gentleman and his worthy father, for their kind attentions during our stay at that place.
CHAP. XXVII.
FROM LAUSANNE TO STRASBURG.
After leaving Lausanne, we arrived at Maudon about noon, where we dined with an English party that came in soon after ourselves. We afterwards proceeded to Payerne, where we rested for the night. At this place, a small, but short down-bed was placed loosely over the coverlet, so that one slept both under a bed, and over a bed; this is not uncommon in various parts of the continent; but however comfortable the custom may be in winter, it was by no means agreeable at midsummer.
On the following morning, after leaving Payerne, we passed through the ancient town of Avenche, and the neat one of Morat, close to a lake of the same name. We stopped to dine at the village of Gummingen, situated on the banks of the Sarine, over which, there is a covered wooden bridge, and which is distant about four leagues from Berne. From hence we ascended a steep hill, from the top of which, the town and lake of Neuchatel are visible. At half after six in the evening, we arrived at Berne, where, finding the principal inn full, we were obliged to put up with a secondary one; however we were well accommodated.
We employed the following morning in examining this interesting city: we promenaded the ramparts, and the fine public walk near to the cathedral, which is greatly admired for its commanding view. This was once the only public walk which the town possessed, but a new one said to surpass it in magnificence, has been formed along a high bank on the side of the Aar, which looks proudly upon the city and country, with the Glaciers in their vicinity.