MARTIGNY.

Drawn by J. D. Harding.

IN Lord Byron's last journey into Italy he went by the Simplon; and, after leaving Diodati, dates his first letter en route from Martigny, and begins," Thus far on my way into Italy."

The view given by Mr. Harding is rather from Martigny than of it; it is of the village of La Bâtie, an adjunct to Martigny, and lying directly in the route of the Simplon-the bourg of Martigny being more within the valley of the Drance. The ruins above the road are those of an old castle, built by Count Pierre of Savoy, to command and oppress the wretched Valaisans, who were within the reach of his power. It was subsequently possessed by the bishops of Sion; and the inhabitants of Martigny have horrible traditions associated with it. The round tower has a dungeon of great depth, with which there is no communication except through a hole in the centre of the stone floor above it. Thousands of bats inhabit it; and the heart recoils from the sound and emotion which a stone dropt into it from the chamber above produces.