Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1874-10-17

the entire area of the little Republic,
which contains 15,40O square miles,
and supports a population just about
the same as that of Illinois. If all
of Switzerland were as fine and fer
tile as the portion drained by the
Aare, it would never be thought of
as mountainous or sterile, but only
as exceedingly beautiful and produc-
tive. 1t would be visited By multi
tudes for the sake of its salubrious
air, pure water, charming lakes, and
lovely landscapes. The General al
titude above the sea of the Aare
Valley and the lakes of Switzerland
is l 200 to 1000 feet, which necessa-
rily imparts a breezy, temperate,
healthful climate.
But it is the other half of Swift
zerland, lying to the southeast of the
part above described, which has CIV
en- Switzerland its
WORLDWIDE REPUTATION
as a country of vast and austere
mountains, where "Alps over alps
arise;" where frozen rivers, called
glaciers, abound; where avalaaches
of snow bury villages and inhabit-
ants; where the rays of the Gun new
er penetrate to the bottom of the
chasms and gorges; where naked
rocks and fields of snow reign sQ-
preme in an eternity of desola ion;
where the foot of man or BEST has
never trod; where cascades are so
lofty that they seem to fall from the
clouds; where only narrow mule
paths can penetrate its valleys; and
where the miserable inhabitants, un-
til adventurous tourists gave them
employment as guides, eked out
half-starved existence. In this part
of Switzerland few travellers have
been able to exaggerate the strange
sights they have seen. Nature here
has put on her widest aspects, and
presents to man the most sublime as
well as terrific manifestations Of her
power, as if to mock his puny efforts,
crush his pride and egotisTn, md
make him feel his littleness and in
significance. One view will Eli The
traveller with wonder and admira-
ton; another with fear and trem-
bling; another with awe and rever-
ence.
It is not upon the pursuit of agri-
culture alone, supplemented by the
money of tourists, on which the
Swiss depend for a living. Fully
one-third of the entire population
are engaged in
MANUFACTURES AND MECHANISM OF
ALL KINDS.
Tens of thousands are employed in
making watches in Geneva, Berne,
Neufchatel, and elsewhere; other
thousands in the fabrication of jewell
ry for the Paris and other markets.
The City of Zurich, which contains
10000 inhabitants, is the headGuar-
ters of the extensive Swiss silk man
ufactures, and it possesses the great
Polytechnic Institute, one of the
most celebrated IN Europe, and Ehese>
laboratories produce millions Of COL
lars worth of chemicals for gale In
all markets. 1t is owned and opera
ted by the Government. InterlaKen
is the centre of the wood-carviRg In
dustry, which gives employment to
5000 families. 1t is surprising to
what perfection these Swiss Villagers
have carried the art Of sculpture IN
wood. There is scarcely an article,
animal, or bird figure, or group OF
statuary, in marble, teTra-cotta, OF
bronze, but they reproduce in 'Yood,
linden wood being the faYorite
material, on account of its fine grain
and softness. All this branch OF in
dustry has been built up, and the srt
itself brought to perfection, within
the last forty years. The Govern
ment now maintains e school of de-
sign for teaching boys and girls In
modelling and carving. The sale snd
export of wood carvings realize more
than 100000 per annum.
Schafhausen, at the falls of the
Rhine, is the chief seat of iron foun-
dries and locomotive and car build
ing in Switzerland, and also for tn,
manufacture of cannon and fre-arns.
The water of the falls furnishes the
motive power, where may he seen
turbine wheels, of 700 to !, I,0Oe horse
power set in motion by the pressure
Of the cataract, which, if ore had
never seen Niagara Falls, yeul5 be
considered something great 9nd re-
markable, as well as beautiful and
sublime.
Every Swiss city and large town
has its
SPECIAL INDUSTRY.
Some excel in one branch of manu-
features, and some in another; but
taken in their entirety, they eEgre-
gate a very respectable prediction
for so small q nation. While the
Swiss raise more than enough meat,
butter, and cheese for their own con-
sumption, they are obliged to import
about l,5O0,O barrels of -four per
annum from France and Germany.
Nor do they grow nearly enough
wool to clothe themselves; bu,, from
the proceeds of their sales of silk and
cotton fabrics, of embroidery, watch
es, iewelry, chemicals, and wood
they are abundantly able
TO supply all their wants in the shape
of imported goods and food, The
Swiss are certainly the most indus
trious people in the world, &C well as
the most frugal. Everybody works,
women, and children. There
is no leisure, idle, or lOafer class,
and few drones, in this busy hive.
Switzerland is
MOST UNIQUE COUNTRY
in every respect. Surrounded by
it is pure Republic.
While every other European nation
has an Emperor or q King for ru-
Ter, or is waging civil var % restore
a deposed Royalty, Switzsrland has
no Prince or potentate, net even .
President. Her executive authority
consists of Council of State ap-
pointed by the Legislature for lin
ted period of time, snd wi.h the
mower of removal. One Of this Coun-
cil Board is appointed Ch.irnen Of
the Board for one year, v7i.a the ti-