Notes and Gleanings. 35 



that the small streams that fall in cascades from their summits are dispersed in 

 spray before reaching their base. Occasionally the sides of these mountains of 

 rocks have their strata so straight and regular, that they have the appearance of 

 a wall of blocks laid in masonry. Yet while there is here everywhere grandeur 

 and sublimity, still all is not of the barrenness of desolation ; for mixed with 

 the grand and sublime are elements of beauty of a different kind. Among these 

 mountains are fertile valleys, clothed with vegetation, with trees and shrubs, 

 and often with a stream flowing through them. Very frequently the lower slopes 

 of the hills are covered with a vigorous growth of spruce, beech, and other 

 trees ; and sometimes, too, with grass, affording pasture in summer for herds of 

 cattle, and hay for winter, even when so lofty that the chalets of the herdsmen 

 seem, when looked at from below, like the toy-houses of children : thus removing 

 the impression of dreariness that entire sterility is calculated to produce ; form- 

 ing in many places landscapes, whose beauty can hardly fail to vividly impress, 

 and that none can fail to admire. 



But while, on its southern and eastern sides, Switzerland is mountainous, 

 and much of it on that account unsuited to agriculture, except to a limited ex- 

 tent, on its northern and western it is of a different character. Here the coun- 

 try is rolling with broad valleys and wide plains, not devoid of hills, but without 

 having them to an extent to prevent or seriously interfere with the pursuits of 

 husbandry. Here farming is carried on somewhat extensively, although not on 

 a scale sufficient to provide for the wants of its inhabitants ; and, probably owing 

 to the mountainous character of much of its territory, Switzerland must depend 

 on its neighbors for much of its supply of bread-stuffs. The crops raised and 

 kind of farming here pursued do not seem essentially different from that to 

 which we are accustomed in New England ; neither do its usual processes seem 

 to be followed in a very different manner. In addition, however, to the usual 

 crops of hay, grain of different kinds, potatoes, and other vegetables, tobacco is 

 cultivated to some extent ; also hemp and lucern. I also noticed, occasionally, 

 small fields of poppies. Both oxen and cows are used lor draught and field 

 work ; and men and women are seen at work together in the fields. Large, de- 

 tached houses are frequently met with, as if belonging to large farming establish- 

 ments, frequently having the dwelling of the proprietor and the stables under 

 the same roof The architecture of the houses is of a peculiar kind, of which 

 I cannot attempt a description, but with which you are no doubt familiar, from 

 the small specimen-houses frequently brought to America, or from engraved views 

 of Swiss scenery. This peculiar style, however, is rarely met with in towns or 

 cities, and prevails principally in the mountainous parts of the country. 



The lakes of Switzerland are perhaps, to many, its most attractive feature ; 

 and the towns upon their borders are the principal resorts of visitors. These 

 vary considerably in extent, and in the character of their scenery, but are all 

 beautiful, and without a successful rival, except the Italian lakes on the southern 

 sides of the mountains, to which I should give a very decided preference. Sev- 

 eral of the Swiss lakes are very extensive sheets of water, navigated by steam- 

 ers, that afford to the towns upon their shores means of intercommunication ; 



