The workingman's advocate. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1864-1877, 1869-12-25
TRAVELLING SKETCHES.
FRo~ 1A9lR TO zURicH-.z URloN AND u9R
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTIONS.


AUHDnR E1HE
Leaving Basic on Monday morning,
Sept. 18th, at 6 A. NJ, en- route for
Zurich. celebrated for its cooperative
and educational institutions, the scene
which presents itself is one of surpass-
ing beauty. The sun is just tipping
the crest of the forest-crowned hills. on
the one side, along which neatly trim
med and fruitful vineyards are creeping
up almost to their SUBMITS on the
other is the valley of the Rhine, while
in the distance, resting in cosy repose,
village after village may be seen, al
most hidden in the foliage which sur
rounds them. To our surprise and de-
light we learn that all the rolling stock
on the road is built after American
models, the carriages being comfortable
and commodious, and far superior in
every respect to those found on the
French and English lines.
The whistle sounds-we are off the
scenery grows more and more enchant-
ing as we proceed. Friend Applegarth
jumps from side to side " look here,
look there ~ he exclaims, "By Jove,
this is grand" And SO it is--grand
beyond description. Here is the sta
ton of Rheinfelden, formerly one of
the frontier forts ofthe Roman Empire.
Then comes Sackingen, literally en-
powered in vineyards here, also, is the
gendarme, with mis- musket and martial
step. We are now at Murg,
where the Rhine dashes impetuously
over its narrow and rocky bed, and as
the train stops few moments directly
over it, the view is acknowledged on
all hands, to be magnificent. But, why
dwell on subject that has been des-
cribed thousand times before, by pens
far ADLER than our own. Suffice it to
say that every station has its historic
associations and that at 1890 we ar
rive safely at our destination-and are
landed in one of the finest railway sta
tons in Europe, after having obtain
ed magnificent view Of the distant
Alps, and the environs Of Zurich.
Immediately on our arrival we report
at the Cooperative productive store, Of
which friend Burnley Whose acquaint
ance we formed at Basle) is President
and an account Of which was given a
few weeks since.
In the afternoon, in company with
that gentleman, Messrs. Bosshaudt,
formerly of New York, and Apple
garth, of London, we pay visit to
the public schools, which are claimed
! to be amongst the best, if not the best,
in the world. Believing that our read
ers will be interested by our doing so,
we present the following details:
The system in vogue compels the
attendance at school, of every child in
the Canton, who has attained the age
Of 8 years, registration being kept OF
the date Of birth. If the parents fail
to comply with the law, a warning is
sent. If unheeded, he is brought before
the Council and reprimanded; and il
still negligent, runs the risk of impri-
sonment, while the child is taken from
his custody, and educated at his ex-
pense. If scholar fails to appear for
four consecutive days, without salts
factory excuse, the parent is warned
and if UNDECIDED, fine of not less than
one nor more than fifteen francs, is i'm
posed, according to the nature Of the
offence, But so universally is the re-
quirement referred to observed, that
the teacher with whom We conversed
had never heard of case of imprison.
ment, during thirty years. experience.
Our first visit is to the primary school,
a magnificent structure, erected some
four years ago, at a cost Of 100000
francs. 1t is capable of accommoda-
ting $50 pupils, and has fifteen male
teachers, and four female teachers, who
are engaged in teaching sewing, knit
ting, &C., as also a director Of gym
nastics. We had the pleasure Of visit
ing both the departments, and wish
some of our namby-pamby counter
jumpers could have seen the agility
displayed by the several pupils in their
various evolutions.
Our guides next direct us to the Can
tonal schools, where are taught the
industrial, mechanical, and technical
branches. At the time of our visit the
students were being instructed on spa
cious lawn, in front of the academy, in
military evolutions, in which every citi-
zen of Switzerland Is expected to be-
come proficient.
We now proceed to the Federal or
Polytechnic School, the pride of the
city of Zurich. 1t is situated on bluff,
and commands magnificent view of
the surrounding country $50 students,
Co., ED~lonI E-o-an