The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-11-23

Jura mountains the whole population live
in unusual comfort. To what cause can
the wealth and activity that prevail in
this canton be attributed? We attribute
it to that intelligence and independence
of mind which led them to adopt the re.
formation preached to them by Farel
Godliness is profitable for the life which
now is as well as that which is to come.
Lauderen and Cressieu are the only Cath.
olic parishes in the country. The civil
and religious liberty they have enjoyed
have contributed to produce that love o.
labor and reverence for virtue which are
the best security against the corruption o.
the people, that emulation by which the
diffusion of knowledge is promoted, and
that spirit of union by which those en-.
gagged in the same pursuits are bound to-
gether. The honesty and moral purity
of the Swiss, so often emphasized, un-
doubtedly has a religious source True
isolated as they are amongst their noun
tains, they are removed from the sphere
of ambition and intrigue, and have few
indictments to extravaganza and vice
But immortality can flourish in country
village as in vast city. If the Swiss
have been preserved therefrom, and have
retained remarkable truth and sim
plicity of character, we cannot but attrib-
ute it, in great part, to the influence OF
the Protestant religion.
The Swiss people are the best and most
varied Enguists on the continent. This
results partially from the fact that sew
eral languages are spoken by the inhab-
itants themselves. There is a German,
and French, and an Italian section of
Switzerland, and many of the people can
speak each of these tongues. Besides,
while the Switzer may be notoriously at
tached to his fathers mountains, no one is
more prone to leave these self-same noun
tains and wander in other lands. He is
the travelling merchant of Italy, Spain,
France, and also the United States
Travellers of every cline visit his own
land, bringing him in contact, when at
home, with many and various tongues.
1t is no uncommon thing, therefore to
find in Switzerland those who can speak
German, English, French, Italian, Span
lsh, and speak them with precision as
well as fuency. The Swiss not only i'm
press US with their diversity of tongues,
but
Their Mongrel Appearance.
1t is impossible not to be struck by the
prodigious diversity of physiognomies in
people of every age, and especially in the
young. 1t is difficult to trace the nation
al origin, as history makes no mention of
them until about one hundred years be-
fore the Christian era. 1t is highly pro-
bable that they are sprung from very
ancient branch of the Celtic race. But
this Celtic blood has been intermingled
with that of many conquering people,
who snbdued the country and mixed with
the conquered, just as the barbarians with
the Latin race. We doubt not Greek
and Roman, Alemani and Longobardi,
Vandali and Burgundiones, and other
nations that appeaed as invaders of this
people in historic times, coalesced each in
their turn with the original Celts, giving
rise to this remarkable modern facial di-
versity.
1t is not strange that these sublime
mountains have not only inspired the
people with powerful attachment for
home, but also permeated them with a
vigorous instinct of bravery. Many a
mighty host in human history marched
from the plains of Europe to storm these
mountains, but were hurled back broken
and defeated. Fifty years before Julius
Caesar, Cassius was sent to give them bat
tie, but upon crossing the Alps the Hell
vetii destroyed his legions, not far from
the spot where the Rhine enters the lake
of Geneva. Julius Caesar conquered them,
but it was when they had left heir native
mountains for the conquest of Gaul-
Afterwards the herds of Attila swept up
to the foot of the Alps like tide of desc
lation, but they were swept back by these
Helvetians, then inspired by Christianity
as well as by patriotism The Huns in
the 9Th, the Moors in the 10th, and the
Austrians in the 18th century, were all
likewise defeated by these brave noun
taineers. These rocks have been the ma
tons defence. The mountains are the
sentinels of Swiss liberty. L. M. @.
A Weeks Riding in the ALLIE