Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1856-04-12

OF the houses fronting on the streets below them.
There is a Linden tree standing on one of the
squares here, which is nearly four hundred years
old, having been planted IN commemoration of
some battle at the time It is much venerated by
the people, and they have put four stone pillars
under its limbs to prop it up. fouad it to meas
ure over six feet in diameter; but it is net more
than twenty-five feethigh. the upper limbs having
been broken of.
Beyne, August 2d-Next to Geneva, Berne is
the largest city in Switzerland, and has popu-
lation of about thirty thousand inhabitants. Most
of the buildings of red sand stone, which is
abundant here, and many of the sidewalks have
arcades over them, which protect the foot pas
senger from the weather. The city is pleasantly
and romantically situated, and has numerous
handsome fountains of water in all parts Of it
Indeed, as regards fountains and running water,
nearly every village and city we have visited on
the continent, is abundantly supplied with water,
gushing out at nearly every corner Of the Streets
and is free of cost to ALL
They have tradition here, that the founder of
berne was attacked by large bear, near the pres
ent center Of the city, which he killed Since
then the bear has been almost venerated by the
people; and several live ones have always been
kept in large pen al the public EXPENSE There
are now four in the pen, common black bears, and
we went to see them. The bear is prominent
figure on the city coat of arms figures of them
are also numerous on the signs and in the shop
windows; hotels are named after them, &C., &c.
in fact, the bear seems to be an important char
acter in Berne.
a curious town clock is to be seen in Berne
near the dial the figure of rooster is perched,
| and, just before the clock strikes, he flaps his
wings and crows quite natural much to the amuse-
ment of the passers-by. There are also figures
of bears upon it, one of whom points out the hour
with a stick in his paws, as he marches by the
dial.
There are many places interesting to the stran-
ger in Berne, but we had not much time to visit
them. In the Museum is very large and fine
collection of minerals from the Alps, said to be
the best in the country and also of native birds,
all preserved in fine order, and scientifically la.
belled Here is also preserved the skin of one of
the famous dogs of st. Bernard, who is said to
have saved the lives of fifteen human beings by
his sagacity.
Basic, august 4th. This is another fine Swiss
city, of about twenty-five thousand inhabitants,
and being situated on the river Rhine, in an angle
on the frontiers of France, Germany, and Swift
zerland, is considered an important place
The country between Berne and Basic, has much
the same fine appearance, as that heretofore spok-
en- Of The roadsides are lined with cherry, apple,
pear and walnut trees, all of very large size
The walnuts are of the Madeira variety, or ENG
fish walnut, as they are sometimes called; and
they so plenty here, that the oil is extracted
from them, and is used for burning in lamps, and
for other purposes.
At the ancient village of Soze,we, on the road,
we visited the Armory, where, among many other
implements of war, are stored eight hundred iron
and steel armors, worn mostly by Swiss Warriors
several centuries since, and which is said to be
much the largest collection of armor in the world
We saw, also, the famous ancient clock tower
here. 1t is built of rough granite, about forty
feet high, and is reputed to be more than two
thousand years old.
We continue to see great numbers of peasant
women at work with the men, in the fields by the
roadside. Indeed, women here do every kind of
outdoor work digging bitches, driving teams,
&c, and even ride on their horses dStride, man
fdSafon Almost every man had dirty pipe in
his mouth; but we saw none of the women smok-
ing. Today, while travelling, we met numbers of
men and women walking in the rain. which was
falling at the time. Many Of the men were
| provided with umbrellas, but none of the women
had any and besides, they were almost inva-
Iiably bare headed, as is the custom here. All of
| them looked tough and hardy, and able to endure
| almost any kind Of labor, and aceak backs seemed
| to be complaint unknown among them. We
often meet carts on the road, in which one or more
men are riding at their ease, while the teams
being driven by women, walking in the dust or
| mud, at the side of the horses
The Cathedral at Basic is a very large and ven
cradle looking edifce, built of red sand stone 1t
is about nine hundred years old, and contains the
tornbs Of Erasmus, and many other distinguished
persons. The Public Library is kept in one part
OF the building, and we there saw the autographs
of Melancthon, Erasmus, Luther, and many 9TH
ers, who preached the Reformation here.