The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1894-01-24
WHERE CRIME IS UNKNOWN.
Vale of Andorra, n Modern Eden I'm
soiIed by the Touch of Progress.


The good Bishop Urgel, who exercises
supreme authority in the vale, has vetoed
as satanic the introduction of telegraphs
ard telephones in that primitive region.
| The Vale of Andorra is, as most readers
are probably aware, one of the three really
happy states in Europe. The other two
are the principality of Monaco and the
small republic of Saint Marine. Andorra,
winch hgureS as mere speck on the map,
| stands between France on 1.-THE north
end Spain on the south and Is reckoned
by those who have seen it one of the most
charming spots III the Pyrenees.
There are. 5000 inhabitants, who, with
cultivators of the soil. The emperor with
the flowing beard -Charlemagne-
them, their autonomy, and most admir-
| able has been the use they made of their
liberty. The state is governed by a coun-
cid composed of twenty-four members
| elected each year, and from among the
srected is chosen as president for life
1t appears that the state has been free
from crime since the end of the seven
alluded to by any of the inhabitants they
Invariably make the sign of the cross.
The particular crime appears to have been
the result of a love affair. All public duties
are performed gratuitously, with the eX-
ception iof services rendered by two
notaries who practice there, and who OBJ
u.
But pray, think of it-only two notaries
in a population of 5000.
| The head Of every family, whether re-
! presented by father or eldest son, is SUI
preme. Either the one or the other is
implicitly obeyed, as it has always been
the custom in patriarchal families. An
DORA is too near to the Spanish. frontier
for it's inhabitants to have entirely es-
capped the influence of pride or caste which
characterizes the former nation. Indeed
there is no prouder race in the world
| nnhlnSt dal on
| The Andorran's word is his 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 all in manuscript, there
| is no mention of any battle having been
fought within the last ten centuries. They
tell time principally by sun dials and do
without actors brokers and policemen.
| The impression produced at sight of the
magnificent pine capped mountains in the
Vale OF Andorra, split up here and there
| their sides and form at their base two
rivers, the Ordino and Embalire, is one
of enchantment. The lowlands of the val
leys, bordered by gigantic chestnut 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 the green
plains, the snow white fleece of the Sheen
shining like silver beneath the rays of the
setting sun.
| Intersectiug streams are redolent Of
trout and any quantity of game-grouse,
cartridges and other birds-fiy unconcerr-
edly within a stones throw of human
beings, as If they were, never -interfered
with or had never s1nelt powder, which
| probably they seldom or never have. 1t
has been said that if the half tame bears
of the Pyrennes 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 naturally anxious, in view of pro-
greSSiVe eVentualitieS of erecting fela-
graph poles and affixing wires which, at
all events for the present could serve nc
useful purpose beyond providing perch
| for the numerous birds flying about the
country. Moreover, where il is a ques-
ticn of directing the electric current, a cir
cumstance of few hundred miles more
or less in transit can make no difference
Owing. to its geographical and pastoral
conditions the Vale of Andorra. has pros
pered outside the stir and turmoil of a
busy world, satisfied with it's own tradi-
tional history. and unregretful of having
| no glorious deeds to record.-Pall Mall
| Gazette.