A clean blue sky - the sun throws his cheerful rays on the snowy peak of Mount Blanc. Visible from the windows of the hotel Des Bergues in the western part of the town of Geneva. Took advantage of the fine day to visit Ferney, the well known chateau of Voltaire, a distance of two leagues only from the city and at the foot of the Jura mountains, and surrounded by a little village of the same name. A handsome stone building of some architectural pretensions and of a date some time preceding the illustrious author.

An old man with hoary head and tottering step came up to me on alighting from the carriage and gave me to understand that when a boy, he was in the service of the Signer of Ferney. Was shown two rooms which the present owner Count somebody still suffers to remain as when Voltaire left them on his last journey to Paris in 1787. When he died, a parlor and bedroom. In the latter his little bed and a number of portraits, among the rest, of Frederick the great - from himself as a present and of Catherine of Russia, done in needlework on silk by herself. But, the cabinet where Voltaire wrote the Siecle of Louis XV and Fragmuns sur L'Inde is now a servants room to clean boots in!

The park and Garden are admirably laid out and must look better now than in the life time of the poet. From the trees that he planted, arrived at full growth. The shaded terrace where the author of the Merapi and the Tancrede, walked with quick step, animated by the fire of his compositions. In view of Mount Blanc, to which the flights of his genius elevated him, and eventually accused of his rheumatisms.

Was introduced to his venerable gardener (aged 78) - who shewed his wig and night cap. Also, a very interesting collection or seals, of personages corresponding with Voltaire. Among them noticed - Gibbons - Lausene - Lord Syttleton - Wm. Gray - Anglois.

The little church stands close to the house - Deo erexit Voltaire - where is his tomb, but his bones are at Paris - the theatre - and library have been destroyed. Coming back to Geneva, had a charming view of the lake, and the snow covered Alps, glittering in the setting sun -