Pagina 574 de 1118

The castle of the Unknown was situated above a narrow and shady

valley, on the summit of a cliff, which, belonging to a rugged

chain of mountains, was nevertheless separated from them by

banks, caverns, and precipices. It was only accessible on the

side which overlooked the valley. This was a declivity rather

steep, but equal, and continued towards the summit: it was

occupied as pasture ground, and its lower borders were

cultivated, having habitations scattered here and there. The

bottom was a bed of stones, through which flowed, according to

the season, a small brook, or a large torrent, which served for a

boundary between the two territories. The opposite chain of

mountains, which formed, as it were, the other wall of the

valley, was slightly cultivated towards its base; the rest was

composed of precipitous rocks without verdure, and thrown

together irregularly and wildly. The scene altogether was one of

savage grandeur.