The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-08
THE VALE OF ANDORRA.
A Human Eden Catouched by the Step of
Progress.
lErnn the Pail Mall Gazette. |

The good Bishop Urgel, who exercis-
es supreme authority in the syale has
vetoed as satanic the introduction Of
telegraphs and telephones to that.prlm-
tive region.
The Vale of Andorra is as most read
ers are proba bly, aware, one of the three
really happy and eontented States in
Europe. The other two are tbe.princi-
pality of Monaco and the small republic
of Saint Alarino. Andorra, which fig
ures as mere speck on the map, stands
between France on the north and Spain
on the south, and i reckoned by those
who have seen it one OF the most
charming spots in the P .enees. There
re 5000 inhabitants, who with a few
exceptions, are either shepherds or cul-
tivators of the soil. 1.-THE Emperor with
the flowing Beardn-Cbarlemagne-
gave them their autonomy and most
admira BILE has been the u-e they have
made of their liberty. The State is gov
ernod by council composed oftwenty-
four members elected each year, and
from among the elders in the tommunl-
ty he who is considered the wlsest and is
the most respected is chosen as Presi-
dent for life.
It appears that the State has been
free from crime since the end Of the
seventeenth century, and when that
matter is alluded to by any of the in
habitants they invariably make the
sign of the cross. The particular crime
appears to have beentbe result OF 4 love
affair. All public duties are performed
fha ovnontinn nf COR
vices rendered by the two notaries who
practice there and who obtain payment
when they are Employed; but pray
think oft, only two notaries IN popu-
lation of 5000!
The head of every family, whether
repr, 8 med by father or eldest SOB, is
supreme. Either the one or the other is
implicitly obeyed, as it has always been
the custom in patriarchal families.
Andorra is too near to the Spanish
frontier for its inhabitants to Lave en-
rely escaped the influence Of pride OF
caste which characterlZes the former
nation. Indeed, there is no prouder
race in the world than the Andorrans;
they could give points to the noblest
hidalgo. The Andorran's word Is bis
bond, and one might very naturally
ask, What can the two notaries possibly
have to do? The men are all soldiers, but
in their annals, which are ALI in manus-
cript, there is no mention of any battle
having been fought within the last ten
centuries. They tell the time princi-
pally by the sun dials, and without &C
Gors, brokers, and policemen.
The impression produced at sight of
the magnificent pinecapped mountains
in the Vale of Andorra, split up here
and there by torrents which come rusn-
ing down their sides, and form at their
base two rivers, the Ordino and the
Embalire, is one OF enchantment. The
lowlands of the valleys, bordered by gi-
gantic chesnut and walnut trees, are
rich in crops of golden corn, among
which the vine and olive trees spread
their twisted branches. Herds of cattle
browse on lie green plains, the snow
white feeces of the sheep shining, like
silver beneath the rays Of the setting
sun. Intersection streams are redolent
Of trout; and any quantity of game
grouse, partridges, and other birds, ty
unconcernedly within stones throw
of human beings, as if they were never
interfered with or had never.srnelt pow
er, which probably they seldom or
never have. It has been said that if
the half tame bears of the Pyrenees
were only bold enough they would put
in an appearance in the square opposite
the church of Andorra and dance to
amuse the children.
It is in this arcadian spot that enter
prise is anxious in view of progress
i've eventualities of erecting telegraph
poles and afixing wires which, at all
events for the present, could serve no
useful purpose beyond providing a perch
for numerous birds flying about the
country. Moreover, where it is ques-
ton of direction the electric current, a
circumference ofa few hundred miles
more or less in transit can make no d.
ference. Owing to its geographical and
pastoral conditions the Vale of Andorra
has prospered outside the stir and tu!-
moil of busy world, satisfied with its
own traditional history, and unregret-
full of having no glorious deeds to re-
cord.