Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-11-28
Penc!lings Over the Sea.

Pencilings Over the Sea.
The following letter, dated at Geneva,
Switzerland, is copied from the United
Presbyterian. It contains much i'm
portant intelligence, and will be read
with liveliest interest:
Grand and impressive as are the tow
ering peaks of Yosemite, with an alti.
tude OF 5000 feet, they are mere hills
compared with Mont Blanc, whose
acres of spow-covered summit reach
heavenward to the wonderful height of
1871 feet. Standing as we were few
days since at the base of this monarch
of mountains, whose exalted top is
perpetually covered with immense
snow.fields, our innermost soul went
out to the great God of nature and
grace in wonder, reverence and admit
ration. As the sun set, its rays lit
up the sides of Mont Blanc range, and
the scene was enchanting and ex-
tremely beautiful.
The beautiful and romantic scenery
of Switzerland can hardly be surpassed
in any quarter of the globe. Its peo-
pie are celebrated for the spirit of free
dom and independence by which they
have ever been actuated. While under
Roman sway, good military roads were
constructed over the great st. Bernard
and other mountains, which still exist.
subsequently the Franks subdued the
country, during which period Chris
tianity Was first introduced. Later,
about the beginning of the 10th GEN.
turys the doctrines Of the Reformation.
under the preaching Of Calvin, Zwin-
IN, md kindred spiritE were zeal.
s0aSas trAced u ~ 3 ii sportion
-UfA M peo. 1e. While under French
ru1e Rr0testantism was repressed and
its growth retarded. During that time
many instances Of undinching bravery
and Of . noble spirit of self-sacrifice
in the cause of conscience are record
ed. The present Swiss constitution
and confederation have been in force
since l8A8, and have been productive
OF prosperity and harmony throughout
the country. The republic is composed
OF twenty-five cantons. and contains
population Of about two and three
quarter millions, of which three ifths
are said to be Professionals and the re-
mainder Catholics, except few thou.
sand Jews. The French and German
languages are principally spoken, with
. very considerable sprinkling OF
English. All hotels, stores, railways,
ETC., owing to the annual summer in
fux of English-speaking visitors, find
1t necessary to have in their emyiov
persons conversant with their tongue.
The constitution of this interesting
republic contains among others the fol-
lowing provisions very similar to our
own: The cantons are sovereign in so
far as their sovereignty is not limited
by the Federal Constitution. A stand
ing army is not permitted. Customs
dues are levied by the Confederacv
alone. The postal system is conducted
by the Confederacy. Every native of
Switzerland is at liberty to settle where
he pleases. Foreigners cannot be
naturalized without resigning their
original nationality. All religious sects
are tolerated. The freedom Of the
press is established. The order OF the
Jesuits is excluded from every part Of
Switzerland las they should be from
America. Every Swiss who has at
tanned the age of twenty years is emit.
tied 10 vote and hold office. The su-
preme power is vested in the Federal
Assembly, consisting of the National
Council and the Council of Cautions
lstates). The first is composed of
deputies, one at least from each canton.
who are elected for five years. The
council Of the states consists of forty
four deputies, two from each canton.
instead Of President, they have
Federal Council, consisting of seven
members, who are elected by the Fed
eral Assembly for three years, and
unitedly constitute the highest execu-
tive and administrative authority. The
several members of the Council-like
our Cabinet-attend to the various de-
partments OF the government. The
money In Switzerland is reckoned in
francs and Confines of the same value
as IN France and Belgium.
We spend our first night in Svitzer-
land at the Hotel Trois Rois, or Three
AIngs, In the old town of Basic, which
lies on the bank Of the Rhine, and is
connected With Klein Basel on the op-
Posite side-similar to Pittsburgh and
Aneeheny-a bridge $50 yards long, in
the middle of which is a singular tri.
angular obeiisk. furnished with a
barometer, thermometer, etc. The ca.
thedral, called the Munster, was built
by Henry IL. in the beginning of the
eleventh century, and rebuilt in 1885.
after having been destroyed by fire. In
1856 the old building was ALI bnt Law