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Lecco, the largest of these villages, and which gives its name to

the district, is situated at no great distance from the bridge,

upon the margin of the lake; nay, often, at the rising of the

waters, is partly embosomed within the lake itself; a large town

at the present day, and likely soon to become a city. At the

period of our story, this village was also fortified, and

consequently had the honour to furnish quarters to a governor,

and the advantage of possessing a permanent garrison of Spanish

soldiers, who gave lessons in modesty to the wives and daughters

of the neighbourhood, and toward the close of summer never failed

to scatter themselves through the vineyards, in order to thin the

grapes, and lighten for the rustics the labours of the vintage.