264 FIRST JOURNEY IN EUROPE. (1839, 
neighborhood ; once or twice I have been accompanied 
by Madame Wolff and the two daughters. They are 
very fond of walking, and often make long excursions 
on foot. The two daughters walk as fast as I can, 
and in fact one of them nearly tired me down the 
other day, when we were hurrying in order to watch 
the effect of the setting sun on Mont Blane. I have 
taken quite a fancy to this river, the Rhone. I made 
my acquaintance with it when it was but a babbling 
brook; I have trudged along with it for many a mile, 
until it grew to a headstrong stream, and became so 
turbulent and muddy that it was obliged to jump into 
the lake to wash itself clean, and when it leaves the 
lake it is as clear as erystal, — emerald, I should say, 
for it is about that color. A few months ago I saw 
the same river in its old age, just falling into the 
ocean. Walked back along the shore of the lake; 
reached the house just in time to join in the evening 
worship, —a sweet hymn was sung (in French), one 
of the young ladies leading with the piano and all 
joining with their voices, and hearts, too, I doubt not ; 
and then the venerable old man read a chapter, which 
I could understand very well, and closed with a simple 
and fervent prayer. You cannot know yourself how 
pleasant it is, after being jolted about in the rude 
world for months, to get again with a pious family. 
The house is just without the town, surrounded with a 
large garden and fine trees and shrubbery, and all 
very pleasant. Some days after, we made another ex- 
cursion to visit their pastor. He was not at home, so 
I missed him, but saw his pretty garden. On the two 
Sundays I have heard one of the pastors of the Evan- 
gelical Society preach in the morning, and the clergy- 
man of the English chapel in the afternoon. I have 
