No. 14-1.] 37 



classes. Be it said to the praise of the latter, their onward pro- 

 gress is truly astonishing. Since 1S15 no country in Europe 

 has made in manufactures and commerce more steady and rapid 

 advances. 



There may be some apology for the backwardness of the Swiss 

 agriculturists by way of improving their farm utensils on account 

 of the low price of manual labor. A male peasant receives only 

 in summer a franc a day, and in winter 80 centimes (15 cents). 

 The same class among females are paid only 60 centimes (12 

 cents) in summer, and 45 centimes (9 cents) in winter, board in- 

 cluded. There are districts wliere wages in the field fall below 

 that standard. But it may be safe to put down the wages of a 

 peasant not above the prices just mentioned. 



But we are sorry to say that there is another draw back in this 

 country more serious than slovenly and scanty agriculture. I 

 allude to the almost universal habit of the male population among 

 the laboring classes, of resorting to tlie tippling houses. This 

 is a crying evil throughout the land, and the whole body of the 

 people are so accustomed to spend time and money in this way, 

 that I fear that many years will roll around before this monster 

 will be driven from the land. A tart and inferior wine is drunk 

 in tlie vine growing districts. Kirschwasser (German, cherry 

 water), a powerful alcoholic liquor is made from the cherry. A 

 fiery liquid is made from grain and cider, and even wormwood, 

 wliich infuriate and demoralize the rural population. In towns, 

 beer is the ordinary beverage of artizans and day-laborers. The 

 evil does not end here, but it always accompanies tobacco smok- 

 ing. Beer is retailed at about three cents a pint, and smoking 

 tobacco is not dear — but a very severe tax for a man to moisten 

 his throat and stupefy his brain, who cannot bring to his family a 

 piece of meat only on a Sunday, and leaves them to live on black 

 bread. 



Httving passed some time in the Swiss confederation, and made 

 frequent excursions through the country both on business and 

 pleasure, I have deemed it not misplaced to lay before my readers- 

 my personal observations on its rural economy. 



