Berkeley and Jefferson intelligencer. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va.) 1802-1810, 1803-05-13


They kspt ME neiseiess tenor IF their
-=saay. =
TT has long been a matter of the deep
i est regret, that the delightful country
of Switzerland should be so meanly sub
iugated the insolent ambition of France,
whose dangerous power seems aimed at
every state which does not connive ut her
Infatuated and tyranical principles. She
would be less hated, did she support her
prosperous situation with difidence, or
shew humanity after eonquests but that
il notthe case, and her triumphs are al-
ways followed BY acts Of rapine, and un.
pardonable cruelty. None have felt the
miserable effects Of slavery more than
the Swiss, and none have less deservedit.
They were people who, enjoying the
true blessings Of liberty, wished not to
aggrandize their own properly at the ex-
pense Of others. For two hundred years
they have lived in peace, and rendered
themselves m ornament to Eufope,-
when the avarice ofthe French, which
spreads ike pestilence, destroyed their
hopes and carried desolation into their
land. !. - SO, } :
The inhabitants of the canton Of Uri,
harmless and inoffensive, soughtno other
means of enriehing themselves but BY the
advantages, accruing from agriculture
and other quiet pursuits; they seemed to
live only for their wives and children -
il has long been the prevailing character
of that particular canton, that few were
rich, because they looked upon excessive
wealth 70 be, what it Is always found,-an
eHeftual bar to happiness. They were
almost all husbandmen they rose early
to their tax, and, after toiling in the
fields till the setting sun denoted the hour
Of repose TO be near, returned to their
cottages with the pleasing reflection of
having passed dayof virtue, and 6nd-
ing their innocent babes, supported by
the fond mother, anxious to contribute
to their ease, and dissipate by Laughter
and earessss the fatigues of labour. In
the society Of each other they gaity con-
Sersed; and when the. cool breezes Of
evening succeeded TO the heats Of noon
day, the elders; seated at the door Of
their habitations, or under the shade of q
lofty tree, amused themselves with see
ing their young offspring dance to the
Hagelet or the lutte. Thus. passed the
lives of this brave and contented people,
when the trumpet Of France resounded
on their frontiers and awakened them to
anxiety and dismay. ----. -. l., p
Albert and Laura resided in one OF
the most pleasant villages Of the CANON
theyhadbeen brought up Ut school togeth-:
er, and n they increased in years their
mutual Partially gained new strength
The former was nineteen; his counte-
nance was the seat of health, good ma
ture, and sweetness, and his actions pro-
elaimedhim the simple child ofinnocence.
Laura possessed every virtue that can be
expected from mortals in this worlds--
she was about seventeen her father, who
was the only relation Providence had
pleased to leave her from early infancy,
had been dead about three years before
the time when this tale commences. In
his last moments he sent for Basil, the "a
ther Of Albert, and, taking him by the
hand, spoke thus - ,t
:" My friend, we have been faithful
companions almost from the period that
we could lisp each others names have
always cherished the frmest sentiment.
of regard for you, and ] know you hays
felt the same for me: ! did little lamen,