The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1844-08-07
SWISS NATIONAL FESTIVAL.

Sunday, the Goth Of June, was the day when the
long prepared festivities OF Basic CONNIE nced-they
are intended to celebrate not only the annual rifle
shooting for all Switzerland but also the anniversary
Of the battle of ST. James, fought close 10 the town
one OF the most important Of the long Of free
dom IN the 18th century, waged by the free town and
Tree cantons against the auocracy and feuda ism of
that age The field Of battle, almost within sight of
the castle OF Hapsburg, covered with mimic and
festive banners, may afford useful hint to the chief
OF tnat august house Of the generous spirit which
still exist In the mountains OF Switzerland and among
those who have enjoyed municipal rights and rsked
their all preserve them for three centuries "The
rfemen OF all Switzerland" love, it seems, other
amusements than the Dantz Sales and Garden Soupes
OF Vienna. Some idea Of the importance attached
10 the kee ing up Of tins spirit and the magnifcence
of the free burgbers Of Basic, may be formed fIom
the simple fact that the prices TO be shot for are
estimated at no less than rs 900 Swiss
francs, equal TO more than $4,000 Sterling and
temporary town has been built for the reception
OF The guests, at the expense OF about I600O cover
ing fourteen acres Of ground, while the troops Of
Basic are encamped IN the adj accent plain. The
main entrance TO the Republican citadel improved,
is by handsome Gobic arch, fifty feet high, flank
ed by two towers, and decorated with arms, &c &c :;
and tins is so well coIored tina, it may well be m,-
taken Tor stone. The arch gives entrance TO
square of about ten acres, on the right Of which
long line OF Gothic arches extends eight hundred
ana sixy-eight feet and beneath this noble aroade
seyenty-two compartments formed Tor firing
With space for charging, gun-ress, servants &c &c
10 the rear OF this arcade, at distance Of two hun
dred aud ten PAGES, r. a similar, bot more simple
one, which contains the targets, markers &c and
curious apparatus for shifting targets and for pass
ing In safety across the 6re. On the opposite side
OF The great square Is a similar arcade which forms
The front OF The great salon, dining room LAID out
Tor SIX thousand nne hundred csrousers with far
more convenience than our English Temporary rooms
have generally afforded, and the target arcade !,
behind the ribemens, II is second behind the
saloon. This Is an enormous kitchen, pastry cook
shop, pantry, larder SC SC fitted with boilers ovens
stoves, and all other appliances; puttery hatch in
fact for the whole nineteen csntons before which
even the feasting during the prncely pleasures OF
kenilworth" must hide its head AT each end of
The arcade rises pavilion, of octagon shape 10 feet
IN diameter, which serve tar Cafes Their exterior
that OF middle age towers IS 10 perfect keepinr and
proportion: But the grand effect Of this apparent
Pompcn OF the fifteenth century is the castle in the
centre, which Is called Tahncnburg (the cattle II
banncrs) and contains The prizes tastefuy arranged
IL Is n'nety-sr feet high, IS surmouned sy 6gur. of
an ancient Swiss waving he banner Of indie pendcnce
It's general form Is something between donion tower
and chapel and IS exceedingly good Its effect is
augm' uted 10y the waving OF ,nuumcrab.e banners
from its side and summit
Beyond this magic city are seen the low white tents
Of The eDcsmpment ranged round a central payiIion
ne troops are here TO be constantly under arms du-
ring the week Of the festivities
On Sunday last the whole popula,;on If p,.,o
was IN movement at an early hour, and thousands
OF strangers had already taken up their quarters
IN The town The town-coupcil guilds troons
and populacc moved 10 the field OF the hattie of
St James Ia plain not far from the Rbipe0 The
scene was beautful-hands playing, guns firing. can
non roarinr, with repeated saivos endless
under different flags and insignia &c &c, ar
mour and costume were alone wanting To make the
Illusion perfect. Speeches were made by the Mayo,
and Others, and IN tact, the battle for freedom was
perfectly illustrated by the free descendants Of those
who fought and conquered three centuries ago Han
p"y was not necessary To repeat wounds aud dea,b
shr'eks and The Joyous multitude and grave se,gnors
hsd no widows and ofphans to meet they returned
10 triumph 10 their city. In the afternoon the sitv
WIN lis riumphal arch and castle, was beset he The
multitude professions again issued from the fine ola
gate OF the town 10 the Tsnenburg, and there amd.
waving OF banners, playing Of music and firing nj
cannon the men Of Basic and their guest. sat dou,
in their hall Of hospitality TO feast, $500 ,oge,t.,
with thousands Of by ISLANDERS. The eook. had Vel,
Pied their task, and the tables well covered with
smoking viands Some modern Roger Ascbam has
enumerated l,iO0lbs. OF beef, and near twic. =.
much OF other meats, and counted up the wine among
which Is named 2,f0O bottles Of the wine of s.,
James, grown near the field Of battle and now call.
ed "Schwezer-blutt' the (bIood Of the SwssO In |
galleries above the leastng PARROTS and crowds ol
lar Swiss, as indie, huodreds pressed along ~. |
whole front OF The dining Long speeches. ana
deep hoaitbs we're quaded, and from the h,ph t,hl
came many sounding sentence of enthusiast IN hh
Dutch to the gallant rAemen beIow-fIoch lebe d.