as not music, but an indistinct
and celestial harmony which penetrated my very soul. I discovered
that it was produced by a violent wind which had just then arisen; my
ear distinguished the distant noise and the whistling usually heard
on such occasions, but the winds changing their nature as they
approached this asylum of peace and friendship, formed only the most
enchanting harmony as they met its trees and its walls. I was
strongly disposed to believe in prodigies; but nevertheless I was
determined to investigate the nature of this, but I durst not rise
for fear of waking Mademoiselle d'Orleans, who was extremely fatigued
with her journey, and slept in a bed close by mine. The tempest
suddenly ceased, and the harmonious sounds appeared to be carried to
a distance by the retiring winds. I raised my head towards the
heavens to catch the last tones of this celestial concert, which
seemed to be lost in the clouds. I listened with transport like St.
Cecilia; if I had had my harp in my hands I should certainly have
dropped it; at that moment all terrestrial music appeared totally
spiritless and insipid.

"Next morning the whole mystery was explained. On opening my window
I found in the balcony an Eolian harp, an instrument with which I was
then unacquainted, and which, when the wind blows upon it, produces
such enchanting sounds.

"I walked out the whole forenoon with the two friends; nothing can
equal the charms of the surrounding scenery, and of the prospects
which the mountain whose summit they occupy commands; at this
elevation they appear the queens of all the beautiful country at
their feet. Towards the north they have a view of the village and of
a wood; to the south a long river washes the foot of the mountain,
and fertilizes meadows of prodigious extent, beyond which is
discovered an amphitheatre of hills, covered with intermingled trees
and rocks. In the midst of this wild scenery rises a majestic tower,
which might be taken for the Pharos of this coast, but is only the
ruins of a magnificent castle, once the residence of the prince of
the country. This solitary region was doubtless at that time
flourishing and populous, now it is abandoned to nature alone;
nothing is now to be seen in it but herds of goats, and a few
scattered herdsmen sitting upon the rocks an