THE COUNTY OF NEUCHATEL.

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pears as a canopy studded with diamonds, heightenedby streams of light lessening and retiring on the eyeabove the shores, and low points of land, peepingthrough the azure mist. The little boats are beheldsailing over the waves, majestic in their calmness, at thefoot of this terrace, which is overhung by wild syca-mores, shading the soft and transparent water, proud ofreflecting back these enchanting views. The town isprettily built with white stone, and contains a finechurch and town-house. Before the grand entrance ofthe church, is placed a figure in bas-relief of the HolyVirgin seated on a throne, with Queen Bertha before her,on her knees, dressed in her royal robes, presenting thechurch to the Virgin. Not far from this, is the repre-sentation of Ulric, brother of the queen, in the dress ofa monk. These performances are said to be very good ;but, since the Reformation, have been much neglected.The church contains several very fine monuments ofthe Counts of Neuchatel who have died there, and oneof the celebrated William Torrel, who was the reformerof the country. In the centre of the town, stands atower, said to have been built by the Romans. Theobjects most worthy of observation, are the town-house,and Maison d’Orphelin. Their style is simple; but theyare very spacious edifices, particularly the town-house,which was built by a gentleman, as a memorial of hisgratitude to the town. In his youth, he had solicited his