342 PRÆTERITA-II

of my arm, gripping it strongly. “Why will you go to Switzerland-there’ll be such a fidge about you, when you’re gone.”

I am never able to collect myself in a moment, and am simply helpless on any sudden need for decision like this; the result being, usually, that I go on doing what I meant to do. If I say anything, it is sure to be wrong. I made no answer, but grasped his hand closely, and went. I believe he made up his mind that I was heartless and selfish; anyhow he took no more pains with me.

107. As it chanced, even while I sat over my trout at Champagnole, there was another expedition of the Francs Corps-M. Gaullieur does not say against whom, but only that it had “une issue encore plus tragique que la première.” But there had been no instance of annoyance to English or any other travellers, in all the course of these Swiss squabbles since 1833, in which year-by the way, the first of our journeys-we drove under some posted field-batteries into Basle, just after the fight at Liesthal between the liberal townspeople and Catholic peasants. The landlord of the “Three Kings” had been out; and run-or at least made the best speed he could-three leagues to the town gates.¹

It was no part of my plan, however, as my parents knew, to enter Switzerland in this spring-time: but to do what I could in Italy first. Geneva itself was quiet enough: Couttet met me there, and next day we drove over the ledges of the Salève, all aglow with primrose and soldanelle, down upon Annecy.

108. I had with me, besides Couttet, a young servant who became of great use to me in succeeding years; with respect to whom I must glance back at some of the past revolutions in our domestic dynasties. The cook and housemaid at Herne Hill, in its mainly characteristic time-1827-1834-were sisters, Mary and Elizabeth Stone. I

¹ [For an account of these times, by Ruskin’s father, see Dilecta; below, pp. 589, 590.]

[Version 0.04: March 2008]