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LETTER IV.
Chamberry, Sept. 26th.
We have passed several frightful bridges today for by the winding of the road round the protuberances of the mountains, you are obliged to cross the Arve incessantly. At Rumelie (a wretched old town) there is a dangerous bridge at present, and an ascent from it to the inn, by no means pleasant on account of its abrupt steepness. But, it seems, they propose soon to build a very good bridge here. The inn belongs to the marquis de T–n, a Seigneur of Turin; and had been the family chateau. I ran through the apartments, which are paved, as well as waste and wild; and at length came to a great falcon, which had no other ornament, or furniture, than the family arms blazoned; not even one grim ancestor in armour to grace its naked walls: – But I suppose the family pictures are conveyed to Turin. As soon as we possibly could we took leave of Rumelie. I believe no place in the world, of its size, contains more beggars; but I suspect them to be the inhabitants of the town, who demand alms in the most importunate and clamorous manner.
From thence we came to Aix, where we employed about an hour in examining its springs and baths. The road is good from Rumelie to Aix, and from thence to Chamberry. Cultivation is not neglected;
