Gilpin observer., 1911-12-07
N0HD m mr. H@4Asnzs, JvzzzEHaAnD

cleaniy IN their lives, unaffectedly kindly In
their impulses and successful in wringing
comfortable living for large population from
so small an area of land. For the amount of good
soil IN the country the population is one OF the
most dense on the globe. and yet the people live
Detter than almost any other among whom have
spent any length OF time any continent
In Switzerland begging is unknown abject pov.
erty is nowhere In evidence. Rags are not seen
nor is there a speck of dirt avoidable by known
means encountered on the persons OF the people.
IN the homes they occupy in the streets OF
their cities. These characteristics of persons and
streets. of homes and furniture. not merely
common or general: they universal to the ex.
tent of being almost without exception. No Swift
ger is dirty, not one is ragged none seems to
want any of the common necessities of life. So
with the homes and their furnishings; they
all clean So are all the streets of all the cities.
And the kindness of manner Is almost, II not
quite as nearly universal the thrift and econ
omy. They are never rude. nor ever thoughtless.
This country so wonderful in scenery is only
$4,000 square miles in extent. Yet 100000 OF
those wonderful people wiring a good livelihood
from that handbreadth of territory. That is not
the full extent of their achievement. The little
patch is composed of larger extent of waste
land than any other where a considerable popu-
lation lies. 1t does not seem as II any possible
use could be made OF half the area. except to af-
ford coasting ground for the grownup children
OF Europe to slide on the ice. We easily recall
the song. Everybody Works but Father" II does
not go in Switzerland. In the wales and on the
small plains, along the hillsides and up to the
eternal SHOWS on the peaks OF the Alps. these
people all work. They begin in early infancy and
do not quit until old age is decrepit indeed Yet
they all get a pretty good education. few OF them
not speaking two languages. most of them three.
and hundreds of them four. ! have met few
who had pretty good use OF all of six eight
tongues They all read and know something of
the world and its ways. My mind turns from the
glories Of the scenery to the admirable traits Of
character that seem to be common among the
men and women grandeur beauty is to the
OF fair Switzerland.
not do? They do their own work and good deal
for other nations. Lying In the center OF Europe
with railroad lines going out In all directions.
with three great tunnels through the Alps through
which trains from the farthest limits of Italy
from all the seaports Of that country to the Baltic
and eastward to Russia. Switzerland has become
great distributing point for goods from all over
the world. 1t has amazed me to note the amount
Of wine credited to this country from Spain and
Italy; SO of olive oil and of oranges and lemons.
Only small portion is used here But all Europe
is made to pay tribute for these products OF the
south. Think OF the commerce of this small ter
ritory of ice and rocks. amounting to 1851 548,047
a year The imports show to the extent of $780,.
774764 and the exports to $3.50 0S3.2S5. Spending
more than they make! Do not mistake They
doing nothing of the kird. The Swiss do not
consume all the goods represented In these i'm
port figures. They go to feed, house and clothe
the hundreds of thousands OF visitors.
The people cultivate every squire foot OF soil