Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-06-20
GENEVA,

This beautiful city, so familiar to all who
have visited Europe, is yet comparatively
unknown to the mass of those on our side
Of the ocean who are interested in the de-
alterations of the International Board Of
arbitration now in session there. COnse-
quently brief sketch may not be amiss at
the present time.
Geneva is Situated at the southern eX-
tremity of the Lake of Geneva, and is the
capital of the Swiss canton OF the same
name. When the Romans conquered
the Helvetii, it belonged to the
country of the Allobrogi, but was incor-
porsted with the empire, and became
the principal town of the ProuinciG Mari
ma SeqllGnorloR. Subsequently It YES a
place OF Importance qndeT the Butgundian
kings; then fell into the possession of the
Ostrogoths in $50 passed into the hands
of the Franks, and near the close of the
ninth century formed a part of the new
kingdom of Burgundy. Geneva was made
the seat of a bishopric as early as the fifth
century, which led, several hundred years
later, to sharp feuds LesBeen the
ecclesiastical authorities and the counts
of Savoy in regard to civil supremacy,
These feuds were improved by the people to
secure their own rights, and in 1918, they
formed an alliance with Freidburg, soon
after with Berne, and Geneva became a
member of the SFiss confederation. The
doctrines of the Reformation found prompt
acceptance here, and in 1886 Professionalism
was established by law. and in 154l John
Calvin was invited to take up his residence
in the city as q teacher Of theology. The
presence Of this eminent man attracted
large numbers of students from England
and different sections of the continent, and
gave an impetus to education and general
refinement which has continued to the pre-
sent day.
In 1902 the dukes of Savoy made final
and unsuccessful attempt to recover their
lost dominion, end frota tpsE tilae until
nsar sAe beginning of the first French reVO-
luton, Geneva enjoyed almost uninterrupted
peace. In 1882 sIife began between the
aristocracy and the people, which brought
about the interference of France. and after
various changes and ngLJ sq4lous dis
tuTLancas, Geneva and its territory was, in
1903, formally annexed under the name of
the department du Leman." When Ma
poleon was overthrown, the city regained
its independence, and received from the
Congress of Vienna considerable territorial
acQuigitionS. Sinee then its political status
has undergone no material alteration.
The location of Geneva being peculiarly
favorable for trade, it has always enjoyed Q
fourishiBg coGmeFge, bEt until 1S4T not
much vas done in the way OF munioi''"'
improFem6ats, Al ft.-' a. -,
vE'6l ----0 Tune puUnc sPHll
= - aroused, and the work of renovation
begun in earnest. The ancient ramparts
have been removed, the streets widened
and handsomely paved, a thorough system
Of sewerage inaugurated, and commodiOus
quays constructed along the borders of the
lake. Stone and wooden bridges across
the Rhone at different points, and on one
OF the picturesque islands in the middle OF
the stream is handsome park ornamented
with q statue Of Jean Jacques Rousseau. On
the left bank of the river, bordering the new
quay, is an elegant public promenade laid
out Ia jGrdin dngidise. The chief edi-
fees of Geneva are the cathedral, church
of st. Pierre, which dates as far back as
1l24; college founded by Calvin in 1868
which has library of 10000 volumes; the
town-hall, the Musee Rath, containing some
excellent pictures, and the museum of nat
ural history, whose collections are among
the finest in the world. The hotel accom-.
modStions of Geneva are superb, and this
with the splendid scenery which surrounds
the city on every side, makes it a faVorite
resort for travellers from all quarters.
Watches, jewelry, ETC., constitute the staple
manufactures. The population is about
1900. sf.r..