CATARACTS, AND INUNDATIONS. 35 



by larger vessels limn are commonly seen in rivers. Near Ville- 

 neuve, (he Rhone discharges itself into it with such rapidity, that 

 for the distance of half a league, the river water, which is very, foul, 

 continues unmixed with that lake, which is very clear ; " but after, 

 ward," says Keysler, " there is no visible distinction, though various 

 ancient, and several modern writers, affirm the contrary." For. 

 merly this lake afforded trouts of fifty or sixty pounds weight; but 

 now one of twenty or thirty is reckoned very large. 



The Rhone, at its efflux, forms an island, on which, togetlher with 

 the barks on both sides, stands the city of Geneva, which is thus 

 divided into three unequal parts, that iiave a communication by four 

 bridges, and is situated in 46 12' north latitude, and in 6 east 

 longitude from Greenwich. The greatest part of the city is seated 

 on a hill, and has its view bounded on all sides by several ranges of 

 mountains ; but these are at so great a distance, that they leave open 

 a surprising variety of beautiful prospects, and, from their situation, 

 cover the country they inclose from all winds except the south and 

 north, to the last of which the inhabitants of ti:is city ascribe the 

 healthfulness of the air ; for as the Alps surround the city on all 

 sides, forming a vast bason, within which is a well-watered country, 

 there would be a constant stagnation of vapours, did not the north 

 wind put thewi in motion, and scatter them from time to time. 

 From this situation, as Mr. Addison observes, the sun rises lateral 

 Geneva, and sets sooner, than in other places of the same latitude; 

 and the tops of the neighbouring mountains are covered with light 

 above half an hour after the sun is down at Geneva. These moun- 

 tains also much increase the heats of summer, and form an horizon 

 that has something very singular and agreeable. On the one hand, 

 a long range of hills, distinguished by the name of Mount Jura, is 

 covered with pasture and vineyards; and on the oiher, huge preci- 

 pices, formed of naked rocks, rise in a thousand odd figures, and 

 being cleft in some places, discover high mountains of snow at the 

 distance of several leagues behind them. To the southward, the 

 hills rising more insensibly, open to the eye a vast uninterrupted 

 prospect; but the most beautiful view is that of the lake, and its 

 borders, which lie north of the town. There are few of the Swiss 

 poets who have not acknowledged the inspiration of this enchanting 

 scenery. 



Gcueva is by far the most populous town in Switzerland, its in. 



