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The scene of barrenness was here and there interrupted by the spreading

branches of the larch and cedar, which threw their gloom over the cliff,

or athwart the torrent that rolled in the vale No living creature

appeared, except the izard, scra upon points so dangerous, that fancy shrunk from the view of

them This was such a scene as SALVATOR would have chosen, had he then

existed, for his canvas; St Aubert, impressed by the romantic character

of the place, almost expected to see banditti start fro rock, and he kept his hand upon the arms hich he always

travelled As they advanced, the valley opened; its savage features gradually

softened, and, towards evening, they were a which the solitary sheep-bell was

heard, and the voice of the shepherd calling his wandering flocks to the

nightly fold His cabin, partly shadowed by the cork-tree and the ilex,

which St Aubert observed to flourish in higher regions of the air than

any other trees, except the fir, was all the hu the bottom of this valley the most vivid verdure was

spread; and, in the little hollow recesses of the mountains, under the

shade of the oak and chestnut, herds of cattle were grazing Groups

of the on the banks of the rivulet, or

laving their sides in the cool strea its wave