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The mortification of Polidori was completed, by the plan he now understood the two poets had formed of making a tour of the Lake, unaccompanied by him, whereupon he indulged in some intemperate remonstrances, which Lord Byron indignantly resented. This was likely to have ended in some fatal consequences, for the usual bounds of courtesy being passed on both sides, the dismissal of the physician seemed inevitable, even to himself. The prospect of such a result so preyed upon his mind, that, retiring to his own room, he had already drawn forth the poison from his medicine-chest, and was pausing before he took it, to consider whether he should write a letter, when Byron (without, however, the least suspicion of his intention) tapped at the door, and entered with his hand held forth in sign of reconciliation. This unlooked-for kindness created such a revulsion of feeling in the mind of Polidori, that he burst into tears, and a reconciliation was at once effected.† * Moore's Life of Byron.

↑ Ibid.

Doubtless these vexations had the effect of whetting the appetite of the two poets for each other's society, and enabled them to appreciate it the better, when they could escape from the physician. They had jointly become the owners of a small sailing boat, fitted, says Moore, to stand the usual squalls of the climate, and, at the same time, the only keeled boat on the Lake. In this they projected a voyage round the Lake without him, intending to visit every place of interest on its romantic shores; and already anticipated all the pleasure to be derived from the uninterrupted intercourse of their own congenial natures, during such a voyage.

CHAPTER III.

Voyage of Byron and Shelley round the Lake-Arrival at Hermance-At Nerni-At Evian-At MeillerieThe Nouvelle Heloise-Departure from Meillerie-A squall on the Lake-Conduct of Lord Byron-Shelley's resignation-Safe arrival at St. Gingoux-Visit to the Castle of Chillon-Arrival at Clarens-The Bosquet de Julie-Arrival at Lausanne-The prisoners of Chillon-Return to Mont Alegre.

LEAVING Polidori behind them to exercise his gallantry towards the ladies, and to teach them Italian, the two poets steered off from Mont Alegre soon after mid-day, on the 23rd of June. It was a bright clear day, and the calm waters of the Lake, smooth as a mirror, reflected the unclouded canopy of heaven. Arriving at Hermance, after three hours' rowing, they visited

the ruined tower, said to have been built by Julius Cæsar, and proceeded on to Nerni, where they rested for the night, and had to content themselves with very disagreeable beds, which, Lord Byron said, reminded him of Greece. "The influence of the recollections excited," says Shelley, "by this circumstance on our conversation, gradually faded, and I retired to rest with no unpleasant sensations, thinking of our journey to-morrow."

Early the next morning they passed Yvoire, where the Lake begins to assume a bolder aspect, and the snow-capped mountains of Savoy descend in broken slopes to its shores, covered with groves of oak or chesnut, which open upon many a green expanse. Steering directly across the bay, overlooked by the town or village of Thonon, they came in sight of the river Drance, one of those many torrents that pour down from between the chasms in the mountains, to become purified as they mingle with the waters of the lake. Here the mountains begin to descend more precipitately to the shores, increasing in grandeur at each remove, and the boat glided along over its glassy mirror, bearing them on

towards scenes rendered immortal by genius, even more than by their own enchanting beauty.

7

They reached Evian in the evening of the day, accompanied by one of those warm blasts from the south which so often sweep over Lake Leman, and dark clouds were blowing up over the mountain peaks, from which flashes of lightning began to play soon after their arrival. As usual, there was some little difficulty about pass ports, but with characteristic servility the officer apologised for the circumstance so soon as he learned the name and rank of Lord Byron.

The town of Evian is romantically situate among the mountains, being overhung with huge masses of rock and intermingled wood, against which the glittering spire of the church stands up in picturesque beauty. Here they were fortunate enough to meet with a good inn, and rested again for the night.

In the morning, when they continued their tour, the wind was blowing with such violence as to prevent their carrying but one sail; such a circumstance was calculated, however, to render Shelley's spirits particularly joyous, for the waves rolled high, and the boat danced over them with

VOL II.

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