58 on general Reding. Nov. 14% 
were with me were witnefses of it, how often I have 
marched against the enemy, and inhow many batties 
I have been engaged; each of those bloody days 
i thought my last. But here, in the presence of the 
omniscient God, who hears my words, and is tHe 
judge of us all, I solemnly declare, that on none of 
those days did I enter the field-of battle with the 
serene, the cheerful, and the guiltlefs conscience, 
with which I fhall this day meet my fate, if you 
fhall stain your hands with my blood, for refusing to 
confefs a treason which I have not committed.” . The 
dignity with which the general uttered these words, 
and the radiance of truth which fhone around him, 
softened the hearts of the alsembly, and he was ac- 
quitted ; but immediately after the dangers of this 
day, he retired with his lady from the canton, 
went to Uri, and lived two years as a hermit in 
the cave of a rock. In the mean time the intoxication 
of his brethren evaporated. Reding returned; for- 
got all; aided and was serviceable to them every 
where he could. The whole country acknowledged 
his worth,—testified their sorrow for the injustice 
they had done him; and in order to recompence ° 
him, raised him to the rank of /andamman, that is, 
the highest in the state; and, which happens but 
very rarely, he was invested with this dignity three - 
different times. 
Thus, wild, and at the same time good-natured, are 
the pastoral inhabitants of the Alps in Switzerland. 
Their characters are formed by solitude and i imagina~ 
tion 5 ; they are alternate ly violent and friendly, like 
