348 Foreign Notices. — Sxmtzerland. 



" The agricultural implements, which are entirely made on the spot, are 

 numerous, varied, and complete, including all the ingenuity of the most 

 recent invention. There is a fine dairy, though none but ordinary cheese 

 is made. The milk is preserved in shallow trays of wood, in subterranean 

 cellars, and the floors frequently sprinkled with water, to keep them cool. 

 There are fifty milch cows, which are regularly carried down and dressed 

 like horses, fourteen horses, and fourteen oxen for labour, which are par- 

 ticularly large, of the Fribourg breed. Liquid manure is duly appreciated, 

 and holds its proper place in the economy of agriculture, which is not 

 merely theoretic, but practical, and that, too, on a magnificent scale. 



" On our visit we found that the greater part of the pupils had set out on 

 then- annual pedestrian excursion, via Neufchatel, under the care of one of 

 the classic tutors. We were informed that there were then ninety-nine 

 eleves. Of these fifteen were English, ten Scotch, including two sons of 

 the eccentric Mr. Owen, who had twice visited Hofwyl, two Russians, one 

 Greek, several Danes, Swedes, and Germans ; the rest French and Swiss. 

 There were, of course, no Spaniards. Twenty-one masters teach the lan- 

 guages, belles lettres, arithmetic, natural philosophy, chemistry, botany, 

 agriculture, &c. There are five professors for the various accomplishments, 

 as music, drawing, &c. In the saloon for music we noticed two kettle- 

 drums, a grand piano-forte, &c. ; and on a large black board were chalked 

 lines and notes, for the use of beginners. They have a concert every month. 

 The various compartments for instruction are arranged with judgment and 

 method ; in fact, nothing can be well conceived more complete than the 

 toute ensemble of this very extraordinary establishment. There is a chapel 

 that serves at once for Protestant and Catholic worship : for the former 

 the altar and imagery of Catholicism are most judiciously concealed from 

 view, being shut up in a convenient case. 



" The beds where the pupils repose are elegantly neat, and all subordin- 

 ated to health and comfort : each insulated compartment has its cor- 

 responding closet. In the salle a manger, or dining room, is a closet which 

 descends, by means of machinery, into the kitchen beneath, and is wound 

 up again loaded with its covers. Even in the kitchen for the working 

 people we noticed a Papin's digester. Proper houses and rooms are appro- 

 priated for tailors, shoemakers, &c. ; and we found the carpenters and 

 mechanics at their respective labours. The children of the poor have gra- 

 tuitous instruction. A large building is appropriated to horsemanship and 

 various gymnastic exercises, and for the latter there are also erections of 

 wood, &c. without. There is a plot of ground allowed to each pupil for a 

 garden, in which he may exercise his own taste. There were new edifices 

 being erected for various purposes, and M. Fellenberg superintended them 

 in person. A French Count was very polite to us ; even to excess. 



" This is a truly peaceful scene. How different that which follows the 

 footsteps of the warrior compared to this ? ' Ubi, solitudinem faciunt, hie 

 pacem appellant' 



" Every thing at Hofwyl is calculated to infuse into the toils of the student 

 the sweets of recreative enjoyment ; ' labor ipse voluptas.' I found M. Fel- 

 lenberg mild and courteous, intelligent and polite. To say more of such 

 an estimable character would be waste of praise. We left this beautiful 

 domain with regret, to visit Count d'Erlach at Hindlebank, to whom I had 

 an introduction, often contemplating the magnificent appearance of the 

 establishment of Hofwyl in the distant prospect. 



" I am, Sir, very respectfully, yours, 

 " Jan. 23. 1827. " J. Murray." 



