Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1907-01-10
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WAA UGH as we enjoy the grandeur Of
m NSwitzeriand and the ability Of the
B B hpeoplc, Il Is their character we are
forced TO admire most. The Swiss are n
strong and healthy race. though IN some
parts the unfavorable influence OF the fac
tory and, still more. that OF alcohol have
made themselves felt. They are n God-fear-
ing people: II Is n common sight 10 see
little chapel on the highest mountain sum
NIT and a shrine along n forest path.
They love their mountains and the free
dom these have given them. The most
uncultured Swiss peasant often says 10
the tourist: us there anything better
than our mountalnsf" They love their
government and never let private enter
prise stand In the way OF serving their
country. All classes nre Interested In
politics and are well Informed as TO the
laws that govern them. Even the pro-
fesslonal classes enjoy the time spent at
the maneuyers Men OF wealth and Gull
ture give much OF their leisure 10 public
Affairs. IL Is their chief ambition TO
hold some large political position. not
for the emoluments. ms these are moth
ing. but for the recognition. One Of the
seven men in this government has been
president three times He was an emil
nent physician and held many minor
Offices before he was made a member Of
the government council
Another man. proprietor Of large
hotel In Lucerne, gave up a successful
business TO devote himself TO politics and
writing on public affairs The Swiss
are great believers In education. Nearly
all the cnntons have their universities,
where students from many parts Of the
world come 10 study languages, sociology
and philosophy.
They give the same opportunities TO
both sexes. Every large town has It's
grammar and preparatory schools. some
OF these are free; In others they ask a
small fee. and for this pittance they are
taught three or four languages.
The Swiss are kind 70 one another.
The hotels work comparatively and the
largest establishments. when crowded
give much custom to the smaller hotels.
They arc exceedingly kind to their
poor. They have many associations 20
supply people with employment The
towns and cantons help the poor. pay
their doctors bills and rent, II ncces-
sary. They have splendid Institutions
for the aged and deficient. The most
marked trait Is their love for work.
Everybody works in Switzerland; mon,
women and children alike. n employ
ment Is slack the men go 10 other coun-
tries; II they cannot work az their own
trade they do something until fortune
smiles on them. Thousands 20 10 Italy.
France England and America, where
they work as hotel employees. hotelkeep-
ers. confectloners and engineers and
after they make a certain fortune they
return home.
The peasants are the Understanding
people In the world. The country lends
itself poorly 70 agriculture. The climate
and the soil are not adapted 70 this oc.
cupation. But what the Swiss peasant
misses 10 farming he makes up IN cattle
herding. cheesemaking and allied pur
suits. The Canton de Naud Is the para
disc OF the Swiss peasant. lie work.
hard. but the return from the grapes
usually giVes him good living. The
forest gives him his lumber for hi.
houses. outhouses and wagons. This
way and another be manages to lay
something aside for the dowry OF bis
daughter and provisions for his sous.
In the Canton de Naiais m the spring
the poor peasants come down from thl
mountain villages. bringing their cattle
children and household belongings, {,
make their abodes among the vineyards
This work IS often extremely dangerous
For the vineyards have to be irrigated
by conduits, and these are sometimes car
ried to dizzy heights. Cattle breeding an,
making are valuable means OF sus
tenance TO many OF the Swiss peasantry
They are supported by their goats, whill
the cows supply the milk and cheese. II
the spring. when a herd Is removed q
the Alps, the herdsman dresses himself h
ell his fnery. He selects his favorlte nnl
hundsomest cow, be ndorns her with
crown OF flowers. and ties his largest bel
70 her neck. The COW Is so proud Of her
self that she refuses 10 let any othe
COW get ahead. Another carries the milk
ing stool, and they all wear changing
bells. Singing the yodel. be drives tn
goats and cows mp the mountains som
" these ascen,s are extremely hazardous
The places are SO steep the cattle ar
Afted with ropes and planks.
A more daring man is the grass mower
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