VIEGE. Qui non palazzi, non teatro, o loggia, Ma in loro vece un' abete, un faggio, un pino Tra l'erba verde e 'l bel monte vicino Levan di terra al ciel nostr' intelletto PETRARCA. Ar a short distance from Sion flows the river Morges, which separates the district into what is called the Haut and Bas Valois. There is a marked difference between the inhabitants of these two portions of the same district. The former are an industrious people; simple and inoffensive in their manners, strong and healthful in their persons, and of comely appearance. The latter are squalid and wretched, frightfully deformed with the goitrous swelling, and many of them more or less affected with cretinism. Previous to the French revolution, the people of the low Valois were subjects of the upper, having in earlier times been conquered from the Dukes of Savoy. In the alteration which Europe has undergone of late years, the two people have become fellow-subjects to the same league, and are now on a perfect equality with each other, apparently with no ill feeling caused by the recollection of their former respective situations. The canton of the Valois has been rendered conspicuous by the desperate and determined opposition made by its inhabitants to the constitution imposed on them by the French Directory. The French, after having been defeated in many a sanguinary encounter, succeeded at last in enforcing their odious measures, with the destruction of more than one-fourth of the population. The contest was carried on with unexampled ferocity; no quarter was given or accepted, and it is said that eighteen young women were found slaughtered by the sides of their fathers and brothers in a field of battle where the French were victorious. After the fury of the conflict was over, and the country was subdued, the French soldiers rendered ample testimony to the valour and devotion of its inhabitants; and it must be said in justice to them, that they did all in their power to remedy the devastation they had caused. Liberal subscriptions were raised for the suffering survivors in different parts of Europe, and the French general himself distributed 1200 rations daily to the starving population. In this part of Switzerland there is little to attract the attention of the curious: it only claims a share of notice, being the thoroughfare into Italy by the passage of Mount Simplon. On the high road is the village of Siene, one of the prettiest places in the district, but on no other account deserving attention. The Col de la Gemmi with its frozen summit next rises to view, and at its base is seen a magnificent cataract, the picturesque appearance of which is very much heightened by a dark forest of pines through which it takes its foaming course towards the Rhone. The passage of the Gemmi is one of the most extraordinary of the Alps. Although attended with some little difficulty and danger, the traveller, by traversing it, may reach the interior of Switzerland in a few hours, which by the regular road would make a distance of two hundred miles. The people of the Valois in 1799 defended this passage against the French, who adopted every means to force them, but without success. Had not their Austrian allies induced them to abandon their own tactics, for those of a more legitimate but less successful nature, their country would not so soon have fallen a sacrifice to their invaders. Beyond this are the celebrated baths of the Leuk. They are approached by a narrow path, cut out of the rock in many places, by the side of the mountain, and are 5000 feet above the level of the sea. On observing the many little villages and habitations perched among the mountains, apparently inaccessible to all but the goats, it would be difficult to pronounce any path impracticable to the hardy mountaineer. There is a village near the baths which is approached by a passage called the Chemin d'Echelles : eight successive ladders over precipices lead to this singular abode, which the inhabitants are in the habit of traversing at all hours without any difficulty, and utterly unconscious of danger. Some distance beyond this is shown the village and castle of Raren: they formerly belonged to powerful barons of that name, some of whom were captain generals of the Valois. A curious instance of insurrection is related of the people of the Valois against one of the former lords of this domain, named Wischard they were animated by a strong feeling of resentment against him, doubtless from some aggravated case of feudal exaction, and determined on revenge. A party of young men having concerted their measures, went about from hamlet to village, carrying with them a large wooden club, shaped at one end like a man's head, and invited every one to join the feud by driving a nail into the head, which signified an intention to become a party in the expedition. This species of proceeding against an individual who had incurred the displeasure of the people was called La Matza, probably from the club or mace which they carried with them. A very considerable number soon joined against the obnoxious baron, who was at last forced to fly, having been obliged to witness the destruction of his castles and the confiscation of his estates. On the road to Brigg, which is the last town in Switzerland, is seen the small village of Viêge or Visp, remarkable for two churches of singular architecture which well deserve inspection. It is situated on the banks of the river Visp, which is of great depth and rapidity, and scarcely inferior to the Rhone. Over it rises the towering summit of Mount Rose, which forms one of the chain of Alps, and is considered nearly as high as Mont Blanc. Travellers usually proceed to Brigg and remain there the night previously to the ascent of the Simplon. Glyss is the regular post town, but Brigg is generally preferred. In the chapel at Glyss, is a picture of George de Supersax and his wife, with their twelve sons and eleven daughters, with the following inscription : "En l'honneur de saint Anne A fondé cette chapelle l'an de grace, 1519, En reconnoissance des vingt-trois enfans |