The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-07-12
1ather as a distinct Language thar a dialect

father as a distinct language than a dialect.
Inc principal wealth of the country is III
goats, sheep and cattle, which find good
pasture on the mountain sides. There is
sufficient agriculture for the needs of the
population. The mountains are rich Ill
iron ore and for a few years the people have
been working it in q primitive way with lit
tie FORCES located out in the wilds. The
product is carried on mule-back to St. julia
de Lotis, a frontier village, and except a
little coarse wooden cloth is the only export
of tho republic.
The ignoranceo of the population is dense.
Not over a hundred persons can read, and
not so many can speak French. There is
no book in the Andorran language, and
those who can read do SO rs a rule IN Cata-
lonian. Tbs men wear homespun knee
brooches and the short Andalusian jacket,
showing the shirt between Its edge and the
trousers belt. They ordinarily wear the
C%atalonian bonnet, a headdress identical
with what is generally called Il 'LlDerty
cap.'' The women dress in homespun, too.
They are kindly treated, but rather az in
1erior to the men. they never sit down TO
eat with their lords and masters and they
are never consulted in any of the transac-
lions of life.
The government is a kind of landed aris-
tocracy. The legislative function is vested
in a council of twenty four-four from
each of the six parishes into which the
state is divided. These elect a first and
SSCOuA byAOlC3 Wiz aIc GAo cAcCuttNo Ol-
Ulcers. l send you a picture of Don Gil
Arenv, the present first syndlc, as he ap-
pears in his official costume. 1t is the same
that his pre-. ecessors have worn for Il
couple of centuries, SO slow il change in
this place. The long coat, Tie kuee
and the syndic's waist is grit with a crlm-
son scarf.
When the council assemblies, as it does
about three times a year, at Andorre, the
delegation from each parish brings a key
with it, ana with these the Fix massive
locks N the old chest in the ass del Vsls.
or ''Capitol,'' are unfastened, % t lat .coes3
may be had to the ancient CHARTERS and
the old books of avs and traditlon..
which constitute the pubic records IT
the state. Probably there is Il rich mine
here for some a%ntiquary. At the close OF
the session of the council, a state dinner is
always held. 1t is cooked in the public
kitchen of the Casa del Walls, and eaten i'll
the old dining room, and a quarter of q
seethed kid is set before every guest.
1t is different, however, ut the two semi
annual dinners given to the yiguiers or del
egates of France, aud the Sec of Urgei, WIN
visit the place ut regular intervals to col
lect the tribute, review the militia and ad-
minister justice. These dinners are given
now at the Casa Molines, and abound in
dishes of fish, game, mutton and fowl,
while buildings and custards with OCCASION
ally fruit CT Lon bonS ara 9 wed for desert.
These are hard drinking eLtertainm hts.
and the wine of Spain. both red and golden.
lows freely, while Malyoisie from koussll-
lon is not unknown.
For the visitors. the place will long have
many attraction. Long after it's quaint
simplicity is K lie tue BATHS, the pheasant
and partridge shooting, and the bear and
wolf hunting will Afford exercise for a trip
to Andorra without placing the roulette
table too much en- evidence. The famous
health resorts about, such as Atracon, Pau,
Bigorre and Luchon will serve as feeders.
The place ought to be n success.
l do not think such plnces as Nice and
Villefranche will suffer much from the
change, but of course hionato itself will TO
greatly affected. Probably the theater and
garden Will be kept open ut an admission.
Balls will be given and the pigeon matches
and other sports will preserve to the desert
cd spot some relic of it's popularity.
Copyright.