208 The Alps in September. 



any that are curious about birds, let them halt for 

 a day or two on each side of the pass, and learn 

 what they can of the arrival of migrants from the 

 south. And let me add, that any occupation w r hich 

 brings a foreigner into close contact with the more 

 intelligent Swiss, especially at a time when they 

 are not hard driven by the touring world of all 

 nations, will give new life and interest to even the 

 shortest visit to a country whose history and in- 

 stitutions are as wonderful as its scenery, or as its 

 animal and vegetable life. We are apt to think 

 of the Swiss as a self-seeking people, whose only 

 object is to make capital out of the natural beauties 

 of the extraordinary land they live in. But this 

 is not a happy impeachment in the mouth of 

 Englishmen, who know so well how to make the 

 best of their own resources, and who have con- 

 tributed not a little to stimulate the ardour of the 

 Swiss for gain and speculation. He who would 

 really know the peasant of the Alps must see 

 him in his natural state, struggling hard against 

 adversity, heavily taxed for education and im- 

 provements, loving labour and doing it cheerfully; 



