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TO READERS AND CORRESPONDENTS.

We are again obliged to defer till our April No. the promised review of Mrs. Sigourney's popular work entitled "Letters to Mothers." And, if possible, we shall also notice "An Essay on the Laws of Trade, in reference to Works of Internal Improvement in the United States, by Ch. Ellet, Jr., Civil Engineer, Chief Engineer of the James River and Kanawha Improvement."

In our next No. we shall insert "The Transfigured," a Tale from the German, translated for the Messenger; the chief design of which seems to have been to illustrate the German philosophy of animal magnetism. The story is very ingenious and highly interesting.

"Sister Ágnes, or the Doomed Vestal of the Hotel Dieu," shall also appear in our April No. We cannot make farther promises to our correspondents just now. We will, however, do all that lies in our power to accommodate our friends. In the mean time we beg they will extend to us the same indulgence the worthy editor of the "Enquirer" asks at the hands of his political friends-" bear and forbear."

We would respectfully ask of our editorial brethren to do us the justice to place the proper credit to those articles which they extract from our pages. We dislike to complain, but when we see as many as three articles in one paper, all taken from the "Messenger," and no credit given, or even a hint as to the source from whence they are obtained, we cannot refrain from calling attention to the injustice done us--whether unintentionally, through carelessness, or otherwise, we cannot determine-but it would afford more satisfaction were the occurrence less frequent. Extract from the Messenger any article deemed worthy of republication-place to it the proper credit, and we shall be satisfied. Each No. of the Messenger is entirely original, with a few slight exceptions, which are particularly noted at the time in the table of contents.

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VOL. V.

RICHMOND, MARCH, 1839.

FRAGMENTS OF A JOURNAL.

BY A VIRGINIAN LADY.

Early on the brightest morning we had seen for many, many days, we mounted our horses to cross the Brunig on our way to Lucerne, in the hope of meeting that evening with our fellow-travellers, who had pursued the more direct course from Berne. The air was fresh and pure, and the heavens without the slightest cloud. An involuntary sigh accompanied an expression of regret that we had not been favored with this splendid day for our excursion to Lauterbrunnen; but we consoled ourselves with the hope of obtaining an indemnification for our disappointment, by reaching the Righi while it remained clear. The weather in these wild regions is so uncertain, that we felt particularly anxious to reach this celebrated mountain, before another change should deprive us of the view from its summit.

"You cannot reach the Righi to-day," said one of our guides, while remarking the effect of the first rays of the rising sun upon the mountains and valleys below us, from the summit of the Brunig. "What a pity!" he added-"we have had so few such days as this during the summer!"

No. III.

Our frolicsome coachman seemed inclined to favor our design of travelling quickly, for he seemed to be perfectly inspired by the fresh air and bright sun. He began first to whistle, and then to sing in a sort of bass voice, not unlike that of the cows he had doubtless been in the habit of attending before being exalted to his present station; accompanying each cadence with a motion of the head, well calculated to produce the impression that he had learned this gesture from the same noble source. From time to time he gave a shrewd glance from the corner of his eye to see how the jest was relished, when finding we were almost as merry as himself, he began a sort of wild chant peculiar to the mountains, and descended from his seat at every little hill, more for the pleasure of dancing to his music, than the charity of resting his horses. As we proceeded, his spirits rose higher and higher. He barked at the dogs, squeaked at the pigs, baaed at the goats, squinted at the girls, bowed with mock reverence to all the old men until his head touched the horses tails, and saluted all the old women with a peal of laughter. It is impossible to conceive any thing so ridiculous; especially when contrasted with the grave demeanor of a respectable old domestic we had brought The remark increased our anxiety to proceed; but with us from Berne, and who seated by his side on the with the decided tone which those who happen to be coach box, or rather the front seat of the char, was "dressed in a little brief authority" are wont to assume, quite scandalized at the attention he attracted, and the the guides told us we spoke of impossibilities, and astonishment of all these various inhabitants of the we continued to walk our horses over the mountain, valley, who remained rooted to the spot where they and to remark its beauties, which, though not extra had been saluted by our Jehu, staring after him in mute ordinary, are very pleasing. As we approached its wonder. It was impossible not to laugh-and we did summit, we were informed by our loquacious conduct-laugh, as the French say, aux larmes." His merriors that we were passing the line between Berne and Unterwalden. They continued to amuse us with their comparison of the respective merits of the two cantons, in which their opinions were exactly opposed, (one being a protestant and the other a catholic,) during the descent, where we found the road, though rugged and narrow, redeemed from its savage wildness by passing through a superb forest of beech trees, which sprung from the clefts of enormous masses of rocks, thickly covered with moss. We enjoyed this refreshing shade until we reached the auberge in the valley below. Here we stopped for a short time to procure a little char a bane, to carry us through the valley of Sarnem. This lovely spot, though perhaps less known to travellers than any other part of Switzerland, offers every charm that nature and fine cultivation can afford. Its verdant felds are rendered yet more fertile by the quiet little lake of Lungern, which occupies but a small portion of the valley, and whose dimpled surface was laughing in the light of the bright morning sun. Its placid beau-boat to continue our route. The promise of additional ties contrasted well with the Brunig we had just descended, shutting out on that side every object but the snowy and dazzling peaks of the mountains of the Oberlandt which peered above it. We paused for an instant at a turn in the road, to take a last view of this singular and beautiful feature, and then rapidly continued our route.

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ment was, however, interrupted by the appearance of a fine old church, of grand and imposing appearance; and as we passed through the lofty portico, supported by double rows of columns of fine black marble, we observed that he crossed himself with an expression of deep devotion. Our tour of observation was soon finished, and we departed quietly, without disturbing the devotions of the pretty peasant girls, who with un covered heads, (probably left so for the innocent plea sure of showing to the best advantage their bright locks, secured by large silver bodkins ornamented with sparkling stones of different colors,) were kneeling near the altar. We soon accomplished the remainder of our journey to Alpnach, a little village on the banks of the lake of the same name, which properly is a part of the lake of Lucerne, or the four forest cantons.

Having arrived at this place so much sooner than we anticipated, we again indulged the hope of reaching the Righi before sunset, and lost no time in procuring a

reward procured us additional oars-men, and our frail bark was soon flying over the blue waters of the lake. We had heard so much of the beauty of the lake of Lucerne, that this part of it entirely disappointed our expectations: on every side we saw nothing but high and barren mountains, and the scenery is entirely too rugged to be pleasing. But on emerging suddenly from

VOL. V.-20

of the lakes below, or among the rocks of the unfortu
nate Goldau," was certainly not the most agreeable in
the world.

I believe there were but few persons in the auberge
who closed their eyes that night; for, those who were
not apprehensive for their safety, feared that the wind
might bring a change of weather, which would deprive
them of the view of the rising sun; and this idea, with
the discomforts of mine host's beds, was sufficient to
banish "nature's sweet restorer." It was with no little
pleasure that we heard the mountain horn announce a

the Alpnach see into the wider part of the lake, as we
turned the corner of a huge promontory of rock, we
found ourselves in another region. The pretty little
town of Kersiten was just before us; on the right stood
the town of Stantz; on the left rose the peaked sum-
mits of Mont Pilatre; and on the opposite side of the
broad lake we saw the glittering spires of the capital of
the canton. The rugged mountains were all soon in
the rear, and the shores of the lake on each side pre-
sented the highest cultivation and the richest verdure.
The lake was tranquil as a mirror; and the beautiful
scene looked even more lovely reflected from its peace-clear morning—the signal that is always given to tra-
ful bosom, because, as our old domestic said, "there the
picture was varnished." Even the hay-makers, in their
gay costumes, lost none of their picturesque effect by
being seen renversé.

vellers on the Righi, when the sun promises to rise
without clouds. After a hasty toilette, of which a cloak
formed the most important part, we all hurried out to the
highest point of the mountain, distant only about forty
or fifty feet from the auberge. The sun was partially
obscured by a few light clouds for some minutes, but
the sky above was perfectly clear, and the view entirely
unimpeded by mist, so that we might well felicitate
ourselves upon our visit to this celebrated spot, whose
charms can never be exaggerated nor even described.
On the eastern and northern side appeared innumerable
mountains; and the splendid chain of the Oberlandt,
now of a dazzling white, rendered still more brilliant
by the rays of the sun, rose in stately grandeur above
the azure of those nearest in the picture. On the north
and west the view appeared to extend to the ocean, or
to infinity; for it seemed to have no limit. The black
forest was pointed out to us on this side, and the course
of the "dark rolling Danube" likewise indicated. As
far as the eye can reach, the mountains are interspersed
with lakes, of which we counted twelve, distinctly seen.
Just at the foot of the mountain on the eastern side,
we had a complete view of the unfortunate valley of

We glided rapidly past this pleasing scene, and soon reached the town of Weggis, at the foot of the Righi. Notwithstanding the lateness of the hour, we determined to attempt the ascent, and our guides and horses were speedily in readiness. We found less difficulty and fatigue than we had anticipated, in the ascent; for the road is far better than that of the mountain passes we had recently encountered in the valley of Chamouni, and we yet hoped to reach the summit before sunset. High, and higher we climbed, until all the mountains and lakes of Switzerland seemed to be laid out below us: range after range of mountains of every shade of azure appeared, until the snowy heights of the mountains of the Oberlandt crowned the glorious scene. Then we paused; for, it was impossible to reach the summit before the sun went down, and we stopped to watch the beautiful effect of his last rays upon the snow-clad mountains. Their dazzling whiteness was changed by degrees to the purest and most brilliant rose color; then the roseate hue gave place to a ghost-Goldau, and the Rossberg, whose slide many years ago, like white, which brought forcibly to mind the end of all living, and this was succeeded by a bright and aerial blue, which faded with the approach of night into a sober gray. We were still half a league from the summit, and were yielding to the advice of our guides to dismount at the auberge they pointed out to us; but learning that there was another inn at the highest point, we resolved to proceed. We were encouraged in our determination by the appearance of the moon, which was rising in full splendor; and though the silver light was too faint to give us a perfect idea of the magnificent scene below, it yet added to its enchantment. Another half hour brought us to the inn on the summit, where we found a party of about fifty people, who were all merrily engaged at supper. The comforts of this establishment certainly would not have been a suffi. cient attraction to its numerous guests, for they were "few and far between." Not so, however, were the little chambers in which we were all penned up for the night; for, as they were separated only by thin board partitions, the conversation of those within them was only prevented from becoming general by the variety of lan-tain in vain, we felt that we had been particularly faguages spoken among them. It was a little babel. Just vored, and were completely indemnified for any former as the voices of two giggling girls, which were heard after disappointments. We descended slowly on foot on the the rest were silent, had died away, a tremendous wind northern side, having ascended on the southern, keeparose, and blew with a fury that threatened to carry using in view the most serene part of this beautiful picall off together to the foot of the mountain; and the idea of being whirled like a “feuille morte," as the French naturalist said when in the same situation," into one

buried three villages with four hundred inhabitants be-
neath an enormous mass of earth and rocks. It is af-
fecting even at this lapse of time to view the fatal spot,
and to behold this once beautiful and smiling valley
converted into a rude monument of those who perished
there. Even the lake, in its vicinity, is half filled up
by the immense rocks that were tumbled from their
lofty resting place. It has been supposed by some na-
turalists that the Righi is composed, like the Rossberg,
of a succession of strata, between each of which there
is a sort of slippery clay, liable to be acted on by long
rains, as well as internal springs. As these strata are
said to be upon an inclined plane, it is conjectured that
a part, or indeed almost the whole mountain might slide
off, and be precipitated into the lake of Lucerne below.
You will, I doubt not, felicitate us that this agreeable
little adventure did not occur during our visit to it, for
we certainly had not much desire to add to the splash.

After regaling ourselves for several hours with this
magnificent view, so often denied by the clouds to tra-
vellers, who sometimes wait many days on the moun-

ture, and in a few hours were reposing in the chapel of
William Tell at the foot of the mountain. This little
chapel has nothing remarkable about it, except the in-

terest it possesses in connexion with the celebrated script, which we entreated him to read for our enter personage whose name it bears. It is said that on tainment during the ride. To this he assented. this spot he killed the tyrant Gesler; and there are "Some of the other dramatis personæ, with whom several other chapels dedicated to him in this part of you will become acquainted, during the recital I am Switzerland. However great our admiration of the he- about to make,” he said, “you will, I doubt not, see on roic acts of the patriot, we did not care to visit each of your return to your far distant native land, though I his chapels, and contented ourselves with this one as a have taken the same liberty with their names as with specimen. We were, indeed, well content to take a that of Lord whom you will recognize under the chaise at the little town of Kussnacht, in its vicinity, to title of Lord de Vaux. Indeed I think it most probacontinue our route to Lucerne; for, a walk from the top ble that you are already acquainted with the charming of the Righi to its base, is no ordinary promenade; and family to whom I allude. Should you find a resemin the present instance, it had been somewhat length-blance to them in my description, I hope you will inened by our visit to the chapel, and rendered more la- form me if my picture is accurately drawn." borious by the warm rays of a vertical sun.

Seeing the impatience with which we awaited the opening of the manuscript, our friend dispensed with farther preface, and thus began:

On a bright and lovely morning in the latter end of the month of June, 1806, a small char a banc was seen slowly wending its devious way through one of the ro

We had not proceeded more than a mile, when the chaise seemed to me to move slowly, and yet more slowly, and at length entirely stopped. The cause of our detention was explained by the coachman, who said that the narrow road was occupied by a calèche, which had been accidentally broken, and that we could not proceed until it was removed out of the way. Wemantic valleys at the base of those stupendous moundescended for a short time to facilitate this operation, and were surprised to find that the calèche had been occupied by two gentlemen, one of whom was an old friend and acquaintance. The other I remembered well having seen the evening before at the auberge on the Righi, and being struck with his air and manner, and the pensive sadness which clouded his brow. The most natural arrangement was that we should offer them the vacant seats of our chaise, as they were, as well as ourselves, journeying to Lucerne. Our friend immediately accepted the offer, but his companion, with graceful courtesy, declined it.

"You are less accustomed than I am to climbing these mountains," he said with a melancholy smile to his friend. "I prefer, at present, a solitary walk. Adieu!"—and striking into a pathway which led from the more frequented route, he disappeared.

to

tains, that rise in isolated majesty on the north-western side of the lake of the four forest cantons in Switzerland. As it was traversing the road that leads from the town of Schwitz to the Righi, it might well be imagined that its course was directed towards this regina montium, from whose summit the view at sunrise has well been said "form an epoch in one's life that can never be forgotten." Whether this was the design, or whether, as the slackened motion of the little vehicle seemed to indicate, it was about to pause on the outskirts of one of the thriving villages that dotted the green and smiling valley, may perhaps be ascertained by some reference to its inmates. There were four persons; three ladies, one of whom was apparently rather in the wane of life, while the other two seemed to have numbered hardly eighteen summers; and a young man, who was evidently the guardian and escort of the party. It may be perhaps as well to mention another individual, who certainly thought himself the most important personage of the groupe, whatever consequence other people might be disposed to attach to his pretensions. This was an Italian grey-hound, the most beautiful and diminutive of his species; nestled in one corner of the little carriage, his head reposed in tranquil security on the lap of the younger of the ladies, while an occasional glance toward her face, seemed to invite the caress often bestowed by her delicate hand. Though this dainty favorite could not boast the "ears of jet, and emerald eyes" of the classic and "pensive Selima," yet the "velvet of his paws" might have almost rivalled her's; and some reason he had to be proud of his silken coat of silver gray, his snowy breast, and the soft dark lustre of his

We re-entered our chaise, accompanied by our friend. "I am rather surprised," he said, "that I should have presented to you Lord ——, with whom we have just parted, for the first time. You must have met with him before in the haute societé de Paris, though he spends much less of his time there than he did in his more youthful days. He says that his career of folly and dissipation was arrested by a visit to these mountains, where he witnessed a scene that made an indelible impression on his mind, and essentially aided in changing him from the thoughtless being he then was, to the sober and rational man you now behold him. The excellence of his character is well known in his own country; and he occasionally visits the continent, not to renew the mad career in which he was once engaged, but for health and recreation; and, as he says, to re-gazelle-like eyes. There seemed to be a sort of mystevisit this spot, lest he should again become too much devoted to the world, and that he may be reminded by it of the instability of all things here below. He last evening gave me so beautiful and touching a picture, that I have made a sketch of it—not without his approbation, however, for that would be betraying confidence. He told me that he did not object to his experience being made a beacon for others; and that I had his permission to record the events of his early history, with the proviso that his real name should not appear."

Here our friend drew from his pocket a small manu

rious sympathy between this dumb companion and his lovely mistress, which, however, a few minutes observation satisfactorily explained: they were alike beautiful, and alike dependent on the kind care of friends; for they were alike-mute. It has often been observed that when several persons are travelling in company, they are either unusually communicative and gay, or particularly silent and contemplative. The latter mood seemed to possess our travellers; for, during the last half hour, not a word had been spoken, except an occasional exclamation of wonder or delight, as cach turn

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