LA11CH TREK. 207 



and so high its polish ; but it proved to be only of 

 Larch wood of the growth of Provence, then famous for 

 its forests of Larch. The beauty of its polished hue, and 

 of its delicate carvings, determined the count to spare his 

 door, and he returned to that leading from the back 

 stair-case *." 



It has been observed that the Larch is in abundance 

 in some parts of Switzerland where there are few other 

 trees ; it is often found in places comparatively barren. 

 Mrs. Radcliffe in the following passage gives a striking 

 picture of one of these scenes : 



" The scene of barrenness was here and there inter- 

 rupted by the spreading branches of the Larch and 

 cedar, which threw their gloom over the cliff, or athwart 

 the torrent that rolled in the vale. No living creature 

 appeared, except the izard scrambling among the rocks, 

 and often hanging upon points so dangerous that fancy 

 shrunk from the view of them -f-." 



The scene here described is among the Pyrenees, in 

 the vicinity of some of the loveliest spots ever drawn by 

 pen, or pencil, or even by the hand of Nature herself; 

 so greatly does she delight to connect beauty with gloom. 

 This union has been particularly noticed by a modern 

 author : 



" This hut was very old ; that part of it which was 

 built of stone was covered with moss, lichens, and wall- 

 flowers, whose beauty and scent appeared alien to the 

 gloom around : But amidst desolation and horror, Nature 

 loves to place the lovely and excellent, that man, viewing 

 the scene, may not forget that she, the mother, dwells 

 everywhere J." 



* Vol. iii. p. 170. t Vol. i. p. 44. J Valperga, vol. iii. p. 2. 



