Chambers's Repository of Instructive and Amusing Tracts (Volume 9) - Brossura

Brossura

ISBN 10: 115388500X ISBN 13: 9781153885003

Riassunto

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1854. Excerpt: ... grain--as far as its mountain boundary, formed by the range of Puys, or volcanic peaks, which it was our object to visit. A white cloud rested on the top of the central peak, the Puy-de-Dome, marking its superior height and grandeur. In the course of our ride across the plain, we passed through the small towns of Aigueperse, Riom, and Mont-Ferrand, the last situated on the summit of a rising ground, and consisting of heavy buildings of a dark-coloured lava. At length we reached Clermont, favourably situated on a flattish low hill, sloping gently in all directions, at the verge of the Limagne. The ascending approaches to this ancient capital of Auvergne are described by old travellers as so vile and offensive, that we were pleasingly disappointed in finding them much improved, and that the town generally had in recent times undergone numerous reparations, so as to be now one of the neatest and best built in France. As at Mont-Ferrand, the houses are built of lava, and the streets paved with the same material. The lava-stone of Clermont is grayish-black, and full of small holes, like the cooled cinders of furnaces; but it is excessively hard, and so impervious to the weather, that the stones of the cathedral, which is built of it, though hewn 600 years ago, are as sharp in their angles as the day they were fashioned by the builder. Leaving the examination of the town to a future opportunity, I was anxious to take advantage of the settled fine weather to pay my visit to the range of adjoining puys or peaks. To be done properly, this requires a guide, and the use of a car; for about five miles must be passed over in ascending the braes, or low hills, before we reach the base of the principal mountains. A car was accordingly hired, well provisioned for a day's...

Dettagli dell?edizione

• ISBN 10: 115388500X
• ISBN 13: 9781153885003
• Rilegatura: Copertina flessibile
• Lingua: Inglese