Page:Life in the Old World - Vol. I.djvu/237

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LIFE IN THE OLD WORLD.
253


SIXTH STATION.


Again in Switzerland—Railway Irregularities—Vintage at Montreux—Romantic Illusions—New Acquaintance—The First Prisoner of Uri—Winter Residence at Lausanne—War and Peace in Switzerland—Still Life—New Life and New Interests—Young Italy—Its Patriots and Poets—“Risorgimento d'Italia”—The Waldenses in Piedmont—New Plans for my Journey—I must see Italy—Spring Life at Lausanne—Educational Institute—A. Vinet.

I flew by express train from Paris, to the foot of the Jura, and there took the diligence, which conveys the traveler across the mountain into Switzerland. It was late in the evening and quite dark when the train reached the Jura. And in darkness and storm the passengers removed from the railway carriages to diligences drawn by horses; a small hand-lantern being all the light afforded for this purpose. I requested that I might be placed in the same vehicle which contained my baggage; and I was assured that it should be so.

I know not what the case might be for the other passengers, but my luggage traveled to Geneva, whilst I, towards morning, found myself on the way to Lausanne. At Lausanne, I was obliged immediately to take the steamboat, which was going to Geneva, to look after my belongings. I was told at the diligence office, here, that such disorderly proceedings were not of unfrequent occurrence on the other side of Jura, and that it was willful on the part of the officials there that