The Swiss were anciently called Helvetti; and being subdued by the
Romans, they continued in subjection to that power till the empire
declined, when they became a part of the kingdom of Burgundy. After that
they fell under the dominion of the Franks, then of the Germans; but being
oppressed by the latter, they threw off the yoke, and erected several
states and republics, which, at the treaty of Westphalia in 1648, were
recognized as free and independent. The cantons of Switz,
As to the air, foil, and produce of Switzerland, that part of
the canton of Berne to the east of the lake of
Geneva, together
with the cantons of Uri, Switz, Underwalden, Glaris, Appenzel,
and part of the canton of Lucern, consist of stupendous
mountains, whose tops are said to be from 9000 to 12,000 feet
above the level of the sea, consisting of craggy inaccessible
rocks, of which some are quite bare, while others are always
covered with ice and snow. Among the mountains are many
excellent medicinal and other springs, cold and warm baths,
water-falls, craggy precipices, deep narrow valleys, and
caverns. They yield also a great variety of herbs, thickets, and
bushes, in the upper parts; and in the lower, richer pastures
and woods. The highest are those in the canton of Uri. Many of
the valleys are covered with lakes, or watered by brooks and
rivers. In some of them are towns, villages, woods, vineyards,
and corn lands. Both on the mountains and in the valleys the air
is extremely cold in winter; but in summer it is very pleasant,
cool, and refreshing on the former, but excessively hot in the
latter. Sometimes it is winter on the north side of a mountain
when it is summer on the other; nay, flowers may be gathered
sometimes with one hand, and snow with the other. Prodigious
masses of ice and snow often fall from them in winter, and do a
great deal of damage (see GLACIER); and most of the streams and
rivers take their rise from thawing of the ice and snow on their
sides and tops. From the rising or descending of the clouds,
with which they are commonly enveloped, the inhabitants can, for
the most part, pretty exactly foretel the changes of the
weather; so that they serve them instead of weather-glasses. The
other and lower parts of Switzerland are very pleasant and
fertile, being diversified with vineyards, corn-fields, meadows,
and pasture-grounds. The mountains in these are but mole-hills
in comparison of the others: there is neither snow nor ice on
them in summer; and they frequently afford not only good
pasturage, but arable ground. Many petrifications are found both
among these and the others, with a variety of fossils. The sands
of the rivers yield gold-dust, particularly those of the Rhine,
the Emmet, and the Aar, the Reuss, the Arve, and the Inn. The
metals of this country being generally found to be brittle, the
only mines that are worked are a few iron ones. In the lower
parts of Switzerland they sow rye, oats, barley, spelt, flax,
and hemp. Wines of various sorts are also produced in some of
them, with a variety of fruits. Of wood for fuel and other uses
there is generally plenty; in some places, however, they are
obliged to burn sheeps dung, and in others a kind of heath and
small shrubs. In the valleys they cultivate saffron with
success. The Switzers derive their principal subsistence from
their flocks and herds of cattle, which in summer graze upon the
mountains. Their cheese is much esteemed, especially that of
Berne and Griers in the canton of Friburg. Great numbers of
horses are also bred here, and brought up for the French
cavalry. Besides the above mentioned rivers, the Rhone and the
Tesin have their sources in this country. The lakes are very
numerous; but the chief are those of Geneva, Neufchatel, Biel,
Zurich, Thun, Brien, Constance, and Lucern. Both rivers and
lakes abound with fish, and afford a cheap water-carriage.
Switzerland is not so populous as many other countries in
Europe; and the Popish cantons less so than the Protestant. The
total number of the inhabitants is computed at two millions.
The language generally spoken here is the German, in which also all public
affairs are transferred; but in those parts {248} of the country that
border on Italy or France, a corrupt French or Italian prevails. The two
predominant religions are Calvinism and Popery. Of the former are the
canton of Zurich and Berne, the town of St Gall, Geneva, Mulhausen, and
Biel, the principality of Neufchatel, the greater part of Basil,
Schauffhausen, the country of the Grisons, the Thurgau, Toggenburg,
Glaris, and the Rhine valley; the frontiers of Appenzel, with a small part
of Solothurn, and some places in the countries of Baden and Sargans. The
rest of the Swiss cantons, allies and dependents, are Popish. For the
education of youth there is an university at Basil, and academies at
Zurich, Berne, a href="lausanne.html">Lausanne, and Geneva, besides
gymnasiums and scholæ illustres, both in the Popish and Protestant
cantons. There are also societies among them for the improvement of the
German language and sciences.
The principal manufactures are snuff and tobacco, linen of
several sorts, lace, thread, silk, and worsted stockings,
neckcloths, cotton stuffs, gloves, handkerchiefs, silks of
several sorts, gold and silver brocades, a variety of woollen
manufactures, hats, paper, leather of all sorts, earthen wares,
porcelain, toys, watches, clocks, and other hardwares, &c. The
trade of Switzerland is greatly promoted by many navigable lakes
and rivers. In some of the above manufactures, and in cheese,
butter, sheep, horses, black cattle, hides, and skins, the
exports are considerable; and as the imports are chiefly grain
and salt, with some American and Asiatic goods, there is
probably a large balance in their favour. In some parts of
Switzerland dress is restrained by sumptuary laws.
The public revenues are in general very inconsiderable, arising
chiefly from the usual regalia, appropriated everywhere to the
sovereign, the demesnes, and public granaries, voluntary
contributions, the sale of salt, and a land-tax; in the
Protestant cantons, from the church-lands also that were seized
at the Reformation. Except in Zurich, Berne, Basil, and
Schaffhausen, where the people are more industrious, have a
greater trade, and are richer than in the others, they defray
the ordinary charges, and that is all.
The cantons never keep any standing troops, except for a few
garrisons; but their militia is reckoned to be the best
regulated of any in Europe. Every male from 16 to 60 is
enrolled, and about one-third of them regimented. They must all
provide themselves with arms, clothing, and accoutrements, and
appear on the stated days for exercise; and the several cantons
and districts must be furnished with a sufficient train of
artillery, and all the other implements of war. The Switzers of
the several cantons are allowed to engage in the service of such
foreign princes and states as are in alliance with those
cantons, or with whom they have made a previous agreement. Such
states, paying an annual subsidy to the respective cantons, are
allowed to make levies. Every man enlists voluntarily, and for
what number of years he pleases; at the expiration of which he
is at liberty to return home. A great many thus always returning
from foreign service, Switzerland is never unprovided with able
and experienced officers and soldiers. With respect to their
character, they are brave, honest, hospitable, hardy people;
very true to their engagements, friendly, and humane. In short,
there is not a people in Europe whose national character is
better. In their persons they are generally tall, robust, and
well-made; but their complexions are none of the best, and those
that live in the neighbourhood of the mountains are subject to
wens. The women are said to be generally handsome and
well-shaped, sensible and modest, yet frank, easy, and agreeable
in conversation. Few of the peasants are miserably poor; many of
them are rich, especially in the Protestant cantons, and that of
Berne in particular.