Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1860-10-11
Gtttcrs from europe.
Correspondence of the Bradford Reporter.

correspondence Ol the ITdClolQ Reporter.
GENEVA, Switzerland, Aug. 80, 1850.
DEAR OLIVER L-During the negotiations
which terminated a few months ago in the
transfer of Savoy to France, the city Geneva,
taught by experience to look to the south and
west for signs Of evil presage naturally ap
pretended some danger TO her own indepen-
deuce Fortunately the absorbent prOpcnsi
ties Of the NapoIeonic policy were Sated for
the moment, 10y the dslntegratjon of the ter
rit0ries of Sardinia the Protestant city re-
maned uudisturUed amidst these little y.css-
ludes of empire.
but while those npprchCn>OuS, well or III
founded, were agitating the hearts Of the pa
l-I0tc GeucytSe, their neghborS of the allied
CATIONS, and especially the officials of the
Egderal army, were prompt in rendering to this
aty, ancient bulwark Of Ueiyetan freedom
4 aG. Independence, the most cordial assurances
& their projection aud support
ID acknowledgment Of this generous en-
Cga,ment, whose worth may have been felt
10 TIE counSes Of the TuerleS, as well as in
lie homes Of this great city of the mountains
N Geneva invited few weeks ago the military
oa:e.S Of the twenty-five Republics, to a
three days festival OF grateful hospitality.
On Saturday, the 4th inst, the city was
alloat with streaming standards, gay with gar.
.auts and feStoonS, lyrical as d page of Brr-
anger, with patriotic aud f.stal devices In
;le newer portions Of the town the handsome
hotels aud elegant shops were decorated with
the standards Of a score of foreign nations
our own stars aud stripes foated in sunshine
over many balcony; the Uuion,Jack of
England crested many height /; the double
to honor the gathering feast of these firm and
naughty mountalneerS, who hayeSO many times
aud so trumphantiy, detieI It's taonS and Grip
pied its aggressive flights. But it was among
the narrow and crooked thoroughfareS Of the
old city that the features of the occasion were
the most characteristic and picturesque. Many
Of these ancient streets are mere winding al
ii avS, sometimes steep and difficult of passage,
'e except for pedestrians They have usually
@]k Of cleanly discomfort the small windows
H a'snesh aud curtained flowers smile from the
Isl5a, or the little balconies beneath ; some
tines dropping drapery Of vines, or Little
G'ppara OF cactuseS makes gay the front Of
'oue old unpauted building, which would 9TH
si6Se suggest only ideas of gloom and decay.
But on these high days Of the feast all
"s s1adowy portion OF the town was aglOw
ana astr with gracious sentiment aud tasteful
decoration Festoons of flowers and ever
greens spanned the narrow ways, arches leap
tu across the sunshine, flags auttered from al
Nost every window, and words Of grateful sal
"'auoN welcomed at every turn, the city
.eF"aI visitors. The banner of Geneva, =
"5 It's hnc device, the key Of Independence
"D1 'he eagle Of liberty waved from many of
s sg eao.ed aud discoIored roofs. In friendly
''''o"shlp with this, flowed the divers cantonaI
s.lSnS IN special courtesy towards the tenn
t''a'y guests Of the respective mansions. Of
J.es' l counted the Black Bear of .Berne !
T.7u ~, 'he Bull Of Uri, the Double KEYS OF
EU.ue'%aId, home of Arnold de Winkelried |
~ I,'C Shone the triple stars of Argovie, and
3''e me starry words of the Eaudois' legend |
- S"e'd Freedom and Fatherand" Over
Az o"erS OF the cathedral, from which look |
s"u Ihe memories of six hundred years, |
CCoa'eu the white cross banne: of the Swiss |
L.'cueratIon it floats there still. and it is |
Nv 70 cast your eyes from the window where |
"'"e' across the valley to the northward |
o,,OsS The blue and arrowy Rhone," and the |
r,y colched upon its two shores. towards ,Jura
"a ,a.uS Its rugged heights beyond, and you en-
solateF on the way, the yellow CLEAN of those
crin,"..d i.oo'ed tnrrets, and catch the white and
above them '0' IL 'N0 oAJ
D. 10 the elegant modern square called the
M. Io NeuVe, they had erected beautiful
sy trophy terraced pyramid of cannon.
mnsI.'l Ouh'ed by ancient and modern weapons
$50 0attleaxes and glitterDg spears, their
--SeISec 2rt beG1osed With Gags ard