Left Lausanne last night at 12 by the malle poste, which drove rapidly with good road. At 3 o'clock this morning got to Orbe - a little town about five miles of Verdun at the bottom of Lake Neuchatel, which we left to the right by daylight arrived at the valley of the Doubs and mountains a continuation of the Jura which are the frontiers of France. Baggage underwent a strict search by the custom house officers who made me pay 4 francs on my new watch.

Here the diligence could go no farther - had to take small cars to cross the mountain the scow very deep and tremendous rough ride for about ten miles. Wild scenery, rocks and hills covered with fur trees. Here the river Doubs has its source. The little stream turning numerous saw mills along the valley through which we descended into the plains of France. The road passes close under the Fort du Jaug - the place where Toussaint L'ouverture ended his days.

On a hill bleak and barren, a few miles farther brought us to the next little town of Pontarlier. Made a hearty breakfast a la fourchette for which the mountain had given a keen appetite. Exchanged the jolting car for the well cushioned coupe of a new diligence and off we started. Fine roads and good horses- across the hills and plains of Franche compte, descending a valley came again in view of the river Doubs. Now increased to a majestic stream compared to the little brook of the morning. A fortress on a lofty hill and then city of Besancon broke upon view. Into which we entered by a gate cut through the rock. And here I am in quarters at the Hotel de France and spend tomorrow in seeing the town and fortifications -