220 SPRINGS, HIVERS, CANALS, LAKES, 



is without rails, and very slippery, and consequently very dange. 

 reus to men and horses. The traveller is struck with terror DO 

 viewing the precipices, which are of romantic height ; but is suffi- 

 ciently rewarded, when, on reaching the top of the mountain, he 

 views the stupendous cataract formed by the Velcino as it rushes 

 from the mountain. 



The river^ after running some miles \vlth a gentle course, reaches 

 Ihe declivity of its channel, winch is shaded with many massy trees, 

 covered with perpetual verdure, as are the mountains by which it is 

 surrounded The waters after ward descend with a rapi.l course for 

 a short space, and then fall from a perpendicular height of three 

 hundred feet, breaking against lateral rocks, which cau-t- vapours 

 to ascend much higher than the summit of the cataract, by which 

 the neighbouring valley receives a perpetual fall of rain. After 

 this descent, the waters rush into the cavities of the rocks, ami 

 then bursting through several openings, at length arrive at the 

 bed of the river. 



In Savoy, the Arvo runs for many miles between high, craggy, 

 and inaccessible rocks, which seem as if split on purpi-M- to give its 

 rapid waters a free passage. The surprising echoes and continual 

 sounds occasioned by its streams, the trampling ot the horses and 

 mules, the hallowing of passengers, &c. in those places, are rever- 

 berated three, four, and even in some parts six or seven times, 

 with a noise so deep and wild, as to strike the traveller, unaccus- 

 tomed to them, with terror; and the tiring of a gun or pistol, is 

 here more terrible than the loudest claps of thunder. The roads 

 which are cut along the sides of the steep, and in many places are 

 not above five or six feet wide, afford, both above and below, the 

 dreadful prospect of a steep precipice, \\itii impending, monstrous 

 rocks, that seem just ready to fall ; which, joined to the roaring 

 of the river, adds largely to the general sublimity. The cataracts 

 of this river in several places are more or less loud and terrible, 

 according as the waters are more or less swelled by the melting 

 snows, with which the tops ot the mountains are covered- One in 

 particular, called by the inhabitants the Nun of Arpena, falls 

 from a prodigious high rock with great noise and violence ; and its 

 fall is said to be above eleven hundred feet. Over this river, tra- 

 vellers are obliged to pass seven or eight times by bridges, some of 



