Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1857-07-23
Switzerland.

l.
triumph over the obstacles which apparently
doom her 10 an Insignificant and INDECENT position
in life is not afforded in either hemisphere than
IS presented by the inhabitants of the thrifty
and study little republic of Switzerland Un-
IKE every other European country, she is entire
" shut out from any direct participation in the
benefits of the immense domain of waters which
float the areosies of her more fortunate neigh
bors' and cast upon their shores the wealth OF
far distant climes. Planted almost in the centre
OF Europe, no tempesi-tosscd waves dash them
selves against her towering mountains, and the
roar and the music of old ocean are sounds
which the g free Sw iizer - never hears in the
peaceful valleys of his A pine home Switzer-
land is apparently shut out from sympathy or
connection with any nations except those whose
territories touch her own She is completely
" land locked" and possesses no royal high
way" to wealth. Yet her industrious and in
genlous population have so applied themselves
to various kinds of manufactures as to rival and
even surp ass their proudest and most successful
compeers, and to send the products of their skill
and industry all over the world, Notwithstanding
the raw ma eral and the manufactured article
are alike subjected to the expense of overland
transportation for long distances.
Switzerland poss esses population of $780,
GOO sou Is, and an area of 1921 square miles.
In 1850 its foreign commerce amounted to about
$50, 500 ,000-a commerce equa TO that of Bel
: GUM, with popu lation of 4,359,0OO about
one-half that Of Austria, with population of
, thirty. and half millions, and about one
fifth that of France, with population of thirty
= seven millions This shows an extraordinary
= degree of prosperity. Combined with the great
influence which free government has upon The
industrial pursuits of a people, to produce this
result, are other causes. Being mountainous
country covered with snow six or eight months
in the year, the inhabitants have recourse to in
: door labor as matter of necessity, while being
surrounded by manufacturing nations naturally
turns their thoughts to manu- factures, and simu-
lales their emulation. The people at once ag-
ricu lturisls and artisans, and naturally ndustri-
=, ous find ample scope for constant and profitable
employmentin in these two occupations, and are
- thus enabled to live on moderate wages.
The Swiss tariff is very favorable on our
~ ~ principal staples. Grain of every kind, rice,
:, and dried vegetables pay duty of cents
~ sailed provisions, lard, whalebone and tobacco
= 65 een's whale OIL. wool, ashes. resin and tai
80 low, cents-each per llO IA pounds The
% effect of this tariff is seen in the consumption
of loba co, an article from which Great Britain
w France, and other countries, derive immense
'' revenues, by high taxation. France, with g
population of 46 900 200, received an annual av
=. erage of $4,000, 600 pounds of American tsbac.
co during the years of 1923, VIII ich gives
" FIVE twefths of pound to each person Grea
" Britain, with population of 81 100000 receiv.
- ed an annual average the same period, of 25,
600 900 pounds, or nearly one pound per head
=. while Switzerland with population of 24O0, :,
al 81, 600, received more than 100000 pounds, oil
49, nearly three pounds for each person..
70. The manufactur of cotton by Switzerland
49, -. has increased with great rapidity In 1886
J., the republic had in operation 400, 900 spindles
OIL " -0, 'oo'oo0' 'no n"n
y - Der having doubled in twenty years. The pro
- gress in cotton manufacture is the more surpris
=. ing because of the heavy expense with which
the raw material is burdened by transit tolls
- before it reaches Switzerland, In 1851, thu
- importation Of cotton into Switzerland amount
ed to q 035,725 pounds, of which about one
:. half was from this country. In 1858, tn
amount received from this country had reached
= about eighteen and one half million pounds s,an
tne cotton manufactures returned to the Unite
States 3, ,265, ,l50 pounds We also receive fror
'ep sv,;tyer,,nd orro n,r,ho., .r ,...,.
ind .',.'Ns % nN0'' u watches oeside
silk goods embroideries, cutlery, mathematics
Instruments daguerreotype plates, manufactui
es OF leather, wool and hair, books wines, G
ece gars, and even cheese. The value oil oar impol
to tations from Switzerland last year amounted t
nv. $S,36o o. This is undoubtedly below the tru
.oo amount, as the trade in Swiss watches, silk
be and other merchandise, is indirect, in greG
iv- measure, being carried on at ports in England
IIunCO uuu DItuldu u6 brduS Vi OWllE6rldn
,,o. well illustrates her rapid progress. In l7S
-, the value of Swiss commerce to France WI
a., q 900 900 francs in 1856 it was $50 800 ,OO
o.. francs, and this year it will probably rea(
aa 40O, 900, 900 francs Since lS45, Switzerlar
H.. has quite superseded, in the markets of Ge
! many and Austria, the yarns of Great Britai
Tbo The above facts display in a striking ma
nob ner what can be accomplished where there e
dino lists disposition il people to make the me
hale of the advantages Providence has allotted
them.
side --s.s-s-- ---
from WESTERN CouRTsHIP.-Scene A log cab
be boasting single room, one half of which
the occupied by two beds, one containing the 80
folks " and baby, the other whose duty by
it is to stand beneath the shadow of its loft
scal mate, laden with five young members.