17
mules, which are supported during the winter withchopped straw, also brought from the valley of Ossola.
In the summer, the women proceed in parties to fetchthis article, with pieces of sticks tied together withtwigs. In winter they are employed in making clothesfor the men. From the village of the Simplon, the roadcontinues to descend very rapidly into a very singulara nd narrow valley called by the inhabitants Trombach,from a little river issuing from one of the neighbouringrocks. This valley leads to the bridge of Crevola,one of the most interesting passages on this alp. It issupported by an enormous pillar, which renders theview of it very romantic in every direction. The womenm this valley are uncommonly pretty, and twist theirhair under a little silk handkerchief in a fancifulmanner. From the bridge over the Cherosea, the mostbeautiful country imaginable is discovered. It is de-corated with festoons of luxuriant grapes, rising fromplains embroidered with flowers, and shaded by theshining foliage of chesnut trees. Before the construc-tion of this bridge, the passage across this water wasextremely difficult and dang erous, and at certainseasons of the year the river overflowed. But theadmiration which these charming scenes inspire isalmost forgotten, on beholding the enchanting isles'which rise from the azure waves of the Lake Magiore.
16 Ullec lnailed whiteness of the marble palaces of
VOL. i.