Monday August 26th, 1872

Monday Aug 26th went and saw the six Eagles in the cages, the emblem of the City, close by are the Publick Slaughter Houses, washing baths, swimming baths, the Hydraulic Machine which supplies the publick fountains and a great many houses with river water.

In the vicinity of Geneva, the banks of the Lake are studded with handsome villas, especially Villa Rothschild at Pregny, Adolf Rothschild lives at this Chateau, a magnificent place, a fine view of Mont Blanc from the pavilion in the Park – admission on Thursdays and Sundays free by getting a card from one of the Hotels at Geneva. 

The Lake of Geneva is a most beautiful sheet of water, it is in the shape of a half moon, 45 miles in length 8 ½ miles wide 500 feet deep near Chillon Castle, and 650 feet deep near Meillerie, and 300 at Geneva, the area is 260 square miles of water, (being 34 miles more than lake Constance,) there are six or eight steamers on the Lake that sail from here to Vevay and other towns on the lake banks, fares to Vevay first cabin 6 ½ franc’s second cabin 2 ½ franc’s about 4 ¼ hours sail.

We had dinner at ½ past 12 settled our bill and prepared for a start, went to the Station, got into a railway carriage at ½ past 5 the time for the train to leave but did not leave until ½ past 6. The crowds of people returning from the Festival was fearful, the train at last started amidst thousands of voices in the train and on the platform, when we had travelled about 10 miles from Geneva, we had the best sight of Mont Blanc that we had at any time, the evening was very fine and clear.

About 12 miles farther we passed through a tunnel called Bellegarde, I should think it is three times as long as Sapperton tunnel, we travelled fast and for many miles, through a mountainous country, passing over the river several times, and for miles along side we stopped at a station for 40 minutes for all the passengers to have their passports signed, and luggage examined. English only exempt. The next Station we stopped at all the refreshment stalls (Buffett or Salle Mangers) were closed, it was about 12 at night.