The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-12-07

the models of the Swiss home interiors
of several centuries back which the
Swiss museums present. The low. warm
ceilings, the smoke e-bronzed rafters.
the ample stone chimney places with
their pothooks and hangers and kitchen
utensils of pewter and copper. the por-
celain stoves. the odd primitive cradles
and the unique illumination apparatus
all bespeak of comfort within as
aecentuated by the rigors of the outside.
One can almost hear the fat frying In
the vessels and smell the SAVIOR of the
coffee in the pewter urn. or hear the
wild wind soughing adown the chin
ney and the storm rafting the tiny
windowpanes in their leaden mu1lions.
Then again how the models of the
ancient sleighs stir the ina agination.
The broad, clumsy vehicle upon crude
runners recalls the trip of the head of
the house to and from the mill with his
meagre stock of grain or family out
ing to the mountain church or enjoying
a pleasure jaunt along the valley road.
The long, narrow sleigh that one might
almost straddle. with it's extended heels
shaped for flight and its carved, curious
gest the scurrying storm, the painting
of thong urged steeds and the terror
of the pursuing wolves. In their con-
temptation the ear of imagination can
detect the crack of the berating whip
lash and the cry of the starving pack.
Equally handsome is the Bundeshaus-
Mittlebau. or parliamentary building
in the Florentine style. The Parlie.-
ment is composed of two bodies of IA
and 147 members, respectively. which
bodies in joint assembly elect the Pres
ident of the Confederation, who holds
office for one year, and federal coun-
ell of seven members.
Switzerland comprises % cantons and
1t is the home of the referendum. Any
revision or annulment of a legislative
enactment when called for by a petit
ton of $4,000 citizens, or by eight can
tons, must be submitted to the direct
vote of the nation and the procedure
is frequently employed.
All visitors are astounded at the mag
nifioent proportions and impressiveness
of its stupendous bridges In this re-
spect the city is probably surpassed by
Rotterdam alone. The most superb of
with it's iron roadway 1855 feet in
length and Al feet broad. Its stone
piers rise to a height of 1857 feet above
the river and maintain spans that en-
brace 400 feet. The bridge is one o.
the crowning triumphs of architectural
skill and daring.
Two of the most impressive spots IN
the city are eleyat ons known as tho
Schanze and the Schanzli. They are
equipped with restaurants, summer the
atres and observation towers with
mountain indicators The last men
toned are charts under glass of tho
contours and confgurations of all tile
mountains in view so that the various
peaks and ranges may be readily recog-
nized and studied. Not only are these
localities frequented by pleasure seek
ers and those wishing to obtain a pam
oramic view of the surrounding coun-
try but hundreds daily congregate here
just after sunset to witness the mar
velous Alpine glow which Is the glory
of Switzerland. The effect is indeserib-
able, for while the valleys are resting
in twilight the peaks of the mountains
are glorihed with glow of dazzling
brilliancy. The unsullied crests of the
snow-clad heights glitter with a radi-
ance of incandescent whiteness and just
below the snow line the bare rocks burn
with an intensity of color that bespeaks
the flame of the forge or furnace. Then
when the valleys are lost in shadow the
incandescence of the heights is temp
cred to the soft tone of the crepuscule
and the flame takes on the hue of the
rose in pink and saffron settings. This
ephemeral play of light and color en-
dures but few moments and then the
day is done. 1t is a vision that moves
ones soul