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strict, and several good buildings. The inhabitants havebecome rich by their commerce in cheese.
Near this town is a fathomless spring, whose waterappears to be very clear; but a piece of wood, on beingthrown into it, is immediately covered with brimstone.Indeed, the greatest part of the waters in this countryare either impregnated with sulphur or iron.
Estavayer is a beautiful and ancient town, sweetlysituated on the borders of the enchanting Lake ofNeuchatel . This little town formerly had its lords,who were very powerful; and who, from the strengthof their castles, defended themselves many years againsttheir enemies ; the most powerful of whom, was Charlesle Hardi . In his time, the Lords of Estavayer couldbring a large army into the held, and withstand a longsiege. But all the honours of this town are lost, andnothing remains of its former splendour except itscastles. The greatest curiosity in this canton is, theHermitage, which is about a league from the capitalon the road towards Berne, where the Sana forms abed at the foot of a rock of a most prodigious height.This hermitage has claimed the attention of travel-lers for a great many years. It contains seven apart-ments cut in the solid rock, one of which is destinedfor divine service; and another, called the Grand Salle,is sixty-three feet long, and thirty broad. The bellpasses through the rock, where it is above seventy