Chapter XII

321

Arrival of friends—Excursion to Chamouny—The Voiron mountain—Its
monastery—The Babes in the wood—Old castle of Faucigny—Its last
possessor—Her rights over Dauphiny bequeathed to Savoy—Long war
with France—Bonneville—Cluses—Wretched inhabitants—The baronial
capital in the time of the old lords—Cavern of La Balme—The village
of Arache, and Falquet—The Nant d’Arpenas—Sallenches—Mont
Blanc—The lake of Chède filled up—Pont Pelissier—Les Motets—The
Glacier des Bossons—Evening—A tranquil night—Morning cavalcade—My
guide—The Montanvert—Fontaine du Caillet—Source of the
Aveiron—The avalanche—Mer de Glace—Passage of cattle—Priory of
Chamouny founded in eleventh century—The Grands Mulets on Mont
Blanc—Character of the inhabitants of Chamouny—Return—Versoix
destined by Louis the Fourteenth for Geneva’s rival—Coppet—The
monument—Old castle of Wufflens—Bertha—Morges—Lausanne—Cathedral
containing tomb of Duke Amedée and Bernard de Menthon—The
Faucon—The fat innkeeper abandoned—Vevay—Trois Couronnes