'i have seen , ' she said , 'the most beautiful scenes of my own country ; i have visited the lakes of lucerne and uri , where the snowy mountains descend almost perpendicularly to the water , casting black and impenetrable shades , which would cause a gloomy and mournful appearance were it not for the most verdant islands that believe the eye by their gay appearance ; i have seen this lake agitated by a tempest , when the wind tore up whirlwinds of water and gave you an idea of what the water-spout must be on the great ocean ; and the waves dash with fury the base of the mountain , where the priestess and her master were overwhelmed by an avalanche and where their dying voices are still said to be heard amid the pauses of the nightly wind ; i have seen the mountains of la valais , and the pays de vaud ; but this country , victoria , pleases me more than all those wonders .